The First BasketSynopsis and Overview

Poster art for "The First Basket."

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  • The First Basket
  • Opened October 29, 2008 | Runtime:1 hr. 26 min.
  • NR
  • When Ossie Schectman, a Jewish kid from Queens, made the first basket for the New York Knickerbockers back in 1946, who knew it was the precursor of today’s NBA? The film follows the little-known history of Jews and basketball at the beginning of Read More
  • Director: David Vyorst
  • Genres: History, Sports & Recreation, Social Issues, Sports

The First Basket Movie Photos & Trailers + Clips

  • Tamir Goodman, once heralded as "the Jewish Jordan" training in Israel, 2005 on the set of "The First Basket."
  • A Jewish basketball team from 1921-22 in "The First Basket."
  • CCNY star Bernie Fliegel with legendary CCNY Coach, Nat Holman in "The First Basket."
  • 1922 South Philadelphia Hebrew All-Stars in "The First Basket."
  • Inky Lautman of the Philadelphia SPHAs, circa 1939-40 in "The First Basket."
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The First Basket Featured Trailers + Video Clips

The First Basket Critic Reviews

So-so Avg. Critic Score out of 100 Metascore ® based on all critic ratings.

Critic scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more favorable reviews.

  • 70
    Los Angeles Times |

    Uncovers a fascinating and largely forgotten chapter of the game's history that...

  • 63
    New York Post | Lou Lumenick

    A valuable reminder that for nearly three decades, basketball was dominated by...

  • 60
    Village Voice |

    The First Basket is more than a triumphalist screw-you to those who think Jews...

  • 50
    The New York Times | Nathan Lee

    The First Basket, a functional (if narrowly interesting) history lesson by the...

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The First Basket Movie Ratings + Reviews

Fans say

No 94 fan reviews

Critics say

So-so See all critic reviews

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