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On October 7th, Netflix released the highly anticipated documentary titled The Redeem Team. Executive produced by the likes of LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, the film tells the story of the 2008 U.S. Olympic Men’s Basketball Team as they were tasked with turning things around after the country’s disappointing performance in 2004.
The documentary features interviews with the players involved, including James, Wade, and even the late Kobe Bryant. The story is emotional, powerful, and ideal for sports fans. Thankfully, there are so many sports stories that have been worthy of intriguing documentaries, so there are a lot of similar options if you liked The Redeem Team.
More Than A Game (2008)
Stream On Tubi
As noted, LeBron James is a major producer of The Redeem Team and was also one of the leaders on the team despite his young age. That’s just the kind of guy James is, evidenced by the documentary, More Than A Game.
Released in the same year that the Redeem Team won the Gold Medal, this documentary looks at James’s meteoric rise as a high school athlete and the bond he formed with his teammates. With some exciting game footage and a big screen focus on LeBron James that isn’t an acting role, it’s worth a watch for any basketball fan.
Women Of Troy (2020)
Stream On HBO Max
Names like LeBron James and Kobe Bryant are synonymous with men’s basketball while on the women’s side of things, everyone knows Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi. However, long before the days of the WNBA, there was Cheryl Miller, who every basketball lover should learn about.
If you don’t know about her, Women of Troy is the documentary for you. It explores her time as a USC Trojan and her impact on the game. Though her NBA legend brother Reggie Miller is more famous, he and many others have openly admitted that Cheryl was better and her story is one to behold.
Kobe Bryant’s Muse (2015)
Stream On Showtime
A major part of The Redeem Team deals with the fact that the squad really came together when Oscar winner Kobe Bryant joined them. He led by example, motivated everyone to be better, and helped them become unstoppable. Folks everywhere have always wanted to know more about Bryant.
Showtime’s documentary Kobe Bryant’s Muse offers up that intriguing look and goes beyond the surface of things like stats to look at what made Bryant tick. There are also looks at his mentorships, friendships, rivalries, and more, making it a perfect watch after the Netflix doc.
Rodman: For Better Or Worse (2019)
Stream On ESPN+
ESPN’s 30 for 30 series has produced some great episodes throughout its history. They have provided viewers with details and in-depth looks at some of the most important sports stories in history, as well as giving a look at some interesting personalities.
Dennis Rodman is among those names as the NBA legend is as unique as they come. The 30 for 30 episode, Rodman: For Better or Worse looks at his upbringing, his time playing alongside Michael Jordan, and how he became a guy known for doing outlandish things on and off the court.
The Carter Effect (2017)
Not Currently Available To Stream
Returning to something produced by LeBron James, there’s The Carter Effect. Also co-produced by names like Drake, this documentary takes a look at the impact that Vince Carter had on basketball in Toronto during his years playing for the Raptors.
Before Carter took the world by storm with his incredible dunks and fantastic play, basketball wasn’t that big in Toronto. He helped put the city on the map for the sport and that’s backed by interviews from Canadian legend Steve Nash and rapper Drake.
The Fab Five (2011)
Not Currently Available To Stream
Every once in a while, ESPN puts out documentaries on sports that aren’t technically part of the 30 for 30 franchise. One of those is The Fab Five, which like The Redeem Team, focuses on a pivotal piece of basketball history.
The Fab Five tells the story of the early ’90s Michigan Wolverines college basketball team. Led by Jalen Rose, Chris Webber, Juwan Howard, and others, this quintet helped change the look of basketball in pop culture with their baggy shorts, trash talk, and other concepts.
Golden: The Journey Of USA’s Elite Gymnasts (2021)
Stream On Peacock
Golden: The Journey of USA’s Elite Gymnasts might not be a basketball documentary but it does fit with the Olympic theme of The Redeem Team. This multi-part series follows several high-profile gymnasts like eventual Gold Medal winner Suni Lee and former Gold Medalist Laurie Hernandez.
Along with them, there are also other hopefuls covered as they attempt to make it to the elite team that competed at the Olympic games. The gymnastics documentary might be little-seen but reviews were sparkling for it.
D. Wade – Life Unexpected (2020)
Stream On ESPN+
With the aforementioned documentaries about the likes of LeBron James and Kobe Bryant who played on the Redeem Team included, it only makes sense to add one for Dwyane Wade. The Miami Heat star is the focus of D. Wade – Life Unexpected, an ESPN documentary.
It works as a total biography, following the life of Wade from childhood to college to NBA stardom and into retirement. His personal life is touched upon, including his relationship with his wife Gabrielle Union, his children, and his friendships in the league.
Basketball: A Love Story (2018)
Stream On ESPN+
Any fan of this sport should make the time to watch Basketball: A Love Story. This remarkable series spans 20 hours and tells 62 short stories that cover the history of basketball from its origins to the debut of leagues around the world to where it is today.
The series features interviews with the likes of Magic Johnson, Adam Silver, David Stern, Shaquille O’Neal, and so many other basketball icons. Plus, installments are narrated by Chadwick Boseman, Daveed Diggs, and more. Plus, if you enjoy it, you can also get the book version.
The Last Dance (2020)
Stream On Netflix
During the COVID-19 pandemic when everyone was stuck at home, The Last Dance became appointment viewing. Every Sunday for a few weeks, ESPN aired two hours of this 10-part miniseries that told the story of the career of Michael Jordan and documented the final year of the ’90s Chicago Bulls dynasty.
The series was met with widespread acclaim and even non-basketball fans were able to fall for it thanks to the trip back to iconic ’90s culture. It was a critical hit too, winning the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series.
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