
Love & Basketball is a 2000 romantic drama starring Sanaa Lathan and Omar Epps. The film follows two childhood friends, Monica and Quincy, who both aspire to become professional basketball players and fall in love along the way. The sports drama is available to watch on several streaming platforms, including Netflix, Prime Video, and Apple TV. Rentals are also available through Amazon Video, iTunes, Google Play, and other services.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Streaming platforms | Prime Video, Netflix, Apple TV |
| Rental period | 30 days to start, 48 hours to finish |
| Genre | Romantic drama |
| Director | Gina Prince-Bythewood |
| Main cast | Sanaa Lathan, Omar Epps, Alfre Woodard, Debbi Morgan, Dennis Haysbert, Harry J. Lennix |
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What You'll Learn

Where to watch 'Love & Basketball' on-demand
Love & Basketball is available to watch on-demand on Netflix and Prime Video. You can rent the movie on Amazon Prime Video, and you will have 30 days to start watching and 48 hours to finish once started.
If you are looking for free options, JustWatch provides information on where to watch the movie online, including free options.
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The plot of 'Love & Basketball'
"Love & Basketball" is an American romantic sports drama film written and directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood and starring Sanaa Lathan and Omar Epps. Released in 2000, the film received positive reviews from critics and has since become a cult classic.
The film follows the story of two next-door neighbours in Los Angeles, Monica Wright (Lathan) and Quincy McCall (Epps), who are pursuing their respective basketball careers while also falling in love. Monica is the leader of her girls' basketball team but struggles with controlling her emotions on the court. Quincy, on the other hand, is a star basketball player and a natural talent with a born leader attitude. He is also popular and dates the prettiest girl in school. Despite their differences, they connect romantically after both being accepted to the University of Southern California.
As they start college, their relationship faces challenges due to the pressures of their athletic and academic commitments. Quincy struggles with media attention and discovers his father's infidelity, which takes an ugly turn. Meanwhile, Monica frequently clashes with her coach and struggles to get playing time on the women's team. The combination of these issues causes the couple to break up.
The film continues into the fourth quarter, set in 1993, a few years before the establishment of the WNBA. It showcases the impact of Monica's basketball dreams on her personal life and those around her, providing a feminist and non-stereotypical portrayal of a young woman pursuing her athletic ambitions. The film also explores the relationships between Monica and Quincy and their respective parents, adding depth to the story.
In a post-credits scene, Quincy and Monica's daughter is shown playing basketball, bringing the story full circle and highlighting the enduring nature of their love for the sport and each other.
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The cast of 'Love & Basketball'
Love & Basketball is an American romantic sports drama film that was released in 2000. It was written and directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood and stars Sanaa Lathan and Omar Epps. The film follows the story of Quincy McCall (Epps) and Monica Wright (Lathan), two next-door neighbours in Los Angeles who are pursuing their respective basketball careers while also falling in love with each other.
The cast of Love & Basketball includes:
Sanaa Lathan as Monica Wright
Lathan plays the female lead, Monica Wright, a talented basketball player who is fiercely competitive but sometimes struggles with her emotions on the court. Monica's character is shown to grow and evolve throughout the film, from a young girl who loves basketball to a professional player in the IWBA. Lathan's performance received positive reviews, and prior to playing Monica, she had never played basketball.
Omar Epps as Quincy McCall
Epps plays the male lead, Quincy McCall, a natural talent and born leader on the basketball court. Quincy is the neighbour and childhood friend of Monica, and over the years, they begin to fall for each other. However, their paths to basketball stardom threaten to pull them apart. Epps' performance was well-received by critics, and the film was the second one to feature both him and Dennis Haysbert.
Dennis Haysbert as Zeke McCall
Haysbert plays Zeke McCall, Quincy's father who plays for the Los Angeles Clippers. Haysbert's character is a prominent figure in Quincy's life, and his infidelity is discovered by his son later in the film.
Other cast members include:
- Chris Warren Jr.
- Kyla Pratt
- Gabrielle Union as Quincy's high school love interest
- Harry J. Lennix as Nathan Wright, Monica's father
- Alfre Woodard
- Debbi Morgan
- Nathaniel Bellamy Jr.
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The producers of 'Love & Basketball'
Love & Basketball is an American romantic sports drama film released in 2000. The film was produced by Spike Lee and Sam Kit (or Kitt). Spike Lee is also credited as an executive producer.
Lee is a well-known filmmaker, having written, directed, and produced numerous films. He has been influential in the careers of many other filmmakers and has been recognised for his contributions to the film industry. Lee has also taught at Harvard University and New York University's Tisch School of the Arts. In addition to his work in film, Lee has been involved in various social and political causes, using his platform to address issues such as racial injustice and police brutality.
Sam Kit (or Kitt) is also a producer, with credits on films such as "The Best Man" and "The Wood." Kit has worked with Spike Lee on other projects, including "25th Hour" and "Inside Man." In addition to his work in film, Kit has been involved in theatre, having produced and directed plays.
Love & Basketball was written and directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood, and it was her feature film directorial debut. The film stars Sanaa Lathan and Omar Epps as Monica Wright and Quincy McCall, respectively. The story follows two next-door neighbours in Los Angeles who pursue their basketball careers while also falling in love. The film received positive reviews, with critics praising the performances, direction, script, and emotional weight of the film. It has since become a cult classic, with a dedicated following.
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Similar films to 'Love & Basketball'
If you enjoyed Love & Basketball, there are several similar films you might enjoy. The film centres around childhood friends Monica and Quincy, who both aspire to become professional basketball players and fall in love. Here are some films with similar themes:
Brown Sugar (2002)
A romantic story about two friends who fall in love but are on separate paths, pursuing their career dreams.
Love Jones (1997)
A romantic film with themes of friendship, love, and sport.
The Notebook (2004)
A classic tear-jerker about a couple who fall in love but are pulled apart by their different paths in life.
Beyond the Lights (2014)
This film explores the life of a rising music star and the challenges she faces in her career and romantic relationships.
Coach Carter (2005)
Based on a true story, this film follows a basketball coach who makes headlines for benching his undefeated team due to their poor academic performance.
In addition, films like The Wood (1999), Disappearing Acts (2000), One Tree Hill (2003), Dear John (2010), and Just Wright (2010) are also recommended for fans of Love & Basketball. These films often explore similar themes of romance, friendship, sports, and pursuing dreams.
Love & Basketball is available to stream on Netflix and Prime Video, so you may also find similar films on these platforms.
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Frequently asked questions
You can watch Love & Basketball on Netflix, Prime Video, Apple TV, and Max.
Love & Basketball is about two childhood friends, Monica and Quincy, who both aspire to be professional basketball players and fall in love along the way.
Love & Basketball stars Sanaa Lathan as Monica and Omar Epps as Quincy.
Gina Prince-Bythewood, a former college athlete, is the filmmaker behind Love & Basketball.
Yes, you can also watch Love & Basketball on DVD, Blu-ray, or SVOD through Amazon Video, iTunes, Google Play, Fandango, Vudu, and/or other services.


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