Showtime will premiere THE DREW, a film directed and produced by Baron Davis, that explores the history of a pro-am basketball league in the heart of South Central Los Angeles, on Friday, April 29 at 8 p.m. ET/PT. THE DREW chronicles the unlikely rise of an institution, the men and women who made it possible, and the unifying, positive force it has become.
An official selection at the 2015 Los Angeles Film Festival, THE DREW is narrated by popular rapper, actor and television host Xzibit.
Over the course of 40 years, The Drew League has become the most elite summer pro-am league in the world. Starting from humble beginnings in a junior high school gymnasium in the 1970's, deep in the crime and gang INFESTED blocks of South Central Los Angeles, the league has evolved from a community beacon to a nationally renowned basketball destination for NBA stars as DeMar DeRozan, Kevin Durant, Brandon Jennings and more.
"THE DREW is an inspiring story of perseverance and success in the face of racial, cultural and socioeconomic barriers," said Stephen Espinoza, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Showtime Sports®. "Baron Davis and his team have captured the power of sports, showing how pure competition at any level can bridge divides. We are proud to bring this important film to our subscribers."
"The Drew is a special place to me, so I wanted to create this documentary to break down walls and open people up to a world where they may not have gone to otherwise," said Davis, a two-time NBA All-Star and promising producer now with four titles to his credit. "We didn't sugarcoat it, or over dramatize it, or glamorize it. We're showing what it's like for many of us who have come out of, and still come back to, South Central LA, while sharing an uplifting story about a community that truly cares about one another."
The Drew League is a hidden gem of Los Angeles, but it's more than just basketball. The Drew is about opportunity, family and a safe HAVEN in a place where uncertainty is the rule. THE FAMILY who keeps The Drew League afloat, led by longtime commissioner Dino Smiley, is a dedicated and selfless cast. This League has jump started careers, expanded existing ones and created a place where ball players in LA and beyond can come together, put their life situations aside and play the game.
Davis collaborated on the film with co-director Chad Gordon and producers Erikka Yancy, Gus Roxburgh, Stefan Sonnenfeld, Ali Brown and Paul Hunter.
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