10 Performances That Prove NBA Players Make The Best Movie Stars

4. Ray Allen - He Got Game (1998)

Now this is a college recruitment story done right, which is no surprise because the combo of director Spike Lee and actor Denzel Washington tends to be a winning formula. He Got Game tells the story of Jesus Shuttleworth (Ray Allen), the top high school recruit in the country, and his father Jake (Washington), who has been imprisoned for the murder of Jesus' mother. Jesus' talent is such that Jake is paroled from prison for a week on the condition that he try to convince his son to play for Big State, the governor's alma mater (and let's pause for a moment to appreciate naming the shady bad guys "Big State"- if a college could twirl its moustache, this one would). If Jake succeeds, his sentence will be reduced. Unlike nearly everything else on this list, this movie was a critical success, earning praise for its lack of stereotyping or easy characterisation and for the soundtrack, which was recorded by a reunited Public Enemy. Most shockingly of all, the 23 year old Ray Allen, who had never acted before taking on this leading role, is incredible. The part was originally offered to Kobe Bryant who dropped out and a number of other players auditioned. Allen was cast after Lee, a lifelong fan of the Knicks, approached him during a game between the Knicks and Allen's team, the Milwaukee Bucks. Whatever the director had seen in him clearly worked out as Allen manages to portray loss, rage, temptation, ego and everything in between throughout the film. He's also genuinely funny in parts, something that trained actors sometimes have trouble pulling off. This movie is the exception that proves the Don't Cast Athletes In Dramatic Roles rule. Or maybe the rule should be amended to Don't Cast Athletes In Dramatic Roles Unless They Have Denzel Washington To Bounce Off. Maybe they could remake Thunderstruck with Denzel as the kid? Or Philadelphia with Kevin Love in the Tom Hanks role?