HOOPS AFRICA: UBUNTU MATTERS is a collection of stories that celebrates the past, present, and future of basketball in Africa, spotlighting the sport’s impact on society and its development on the continent. From the dreams of a young Zimbabwean player to honoring the NBA legends who paved the way before him, this film journeys through the growth of the game in Africa.  Centering on basketball nonprofit Hoops 4 Hope in South Africa and Zimbabwe, this documentary uncovers the role the African philosophy of Ubuntu played in the Boston Celtics’ 2008 NBA Championship season and also documents the historic 2015 NBA Africa Game.  Featuring Hakeem Olajuwon, Dikembe Mutombo, Adam Silver, Luol Deng, Luc Mbah a Moute, Chris Paul, Doc Rivers, Paul Pierce, and many more NBA greats, this documentary shows us all why #UbuntuMatters.

OUR STORY

"This story has always been meant to be told. In 2013, after an incredibly powerful three months volunteering with basketball nonprofit Hoops 4 Hope in Zimbabwe, I boarded my South African Airways flight home. On a chance encounter, I was seated next to Dan Hedges, a documentary filmmaker whom I had never met that also happened to call North Carolina home. After the 16-hour flight, Dan and I made a vow that we would one day return to Africa to bring my stories to life for viewers everywhere, creating a platform to spotlight the influential work that organizations like Hoops 4 Hope provides for so many children every day. Two years later, we journeyed back together to where the idea for this film was born."  -Taylor Sharp, Producer