Spike Lee originally wanted Kobe Bryant to play the part of Jesus Shuttlesworth. While Bryant liked the script, and the idea of working with Lee, he had just finished his rookie year in the NBA (the 1996-97 season), and had shot several air balls in a brutal playoff loss by the Lakers to the Utah Jazz. For this reason, Bryant planned a workout program that would help him maintain his strength through the longer NBA seasons (a major adjustment, as Bryant went straight from high school to the pros). After Bryant consequently turned the movie role down, noting that the summer of 1997 was too important to spend time making the film, Lee promptly sought out Ray Allen, who quickly accepted the lead role.
Ray Allen and Spike Lee have had conversations about having a de facto sequel to this film, with Allen saying he would envision Jesus Shuttlesworth nearing the end of a successful pro career (much like Allen himself). As part of his expression of interest in such a project, when Miami Heat players were allowed to wear special jerseys with nicknames or initials as part of an NBA promotion, Allen's jersey said "J. Shuttlesworth" on the back. Lee immediately and happily posted a photo of the back of Allen's jersey to Instagram.
Filmed in 23 days.
Arthur Agee, William Gates: As themselves and two of the basketball players in the opening montage. Agee and Gates were the subjects of the critically-acclaimed documentary Hoop Dreams (1994), which followed the two Chicago youths as they pursued their dreams of become professional basketball players.