Kenny Sailors has lived a life worthy of more than one documentary. My only problem with this film really, is that it's too short. There is much more I wanted to know. The story of this man inventing a famous basketball move, and going on to champion women's basketball in schools is a fascinating and inspiring one.
On top of that, Sailors is a funny and charismatic interviewee and gives a lot of memorable quotes. The editing is good, the pacing well done, and there are cute animated sections!
8 Reviews
More than a basketball documentary
zrenauldo16 June 2020
Jump Shot is a wonderful film that focuses on the life of Kenny Sailors, the man who created the jump shot. Yet, the film goes beyond that. IT tells the story of a man who gave his life to the sport he loved but ever lost sight of what really matters: God, family, and country.
You can see the amount of care and thought that went into telling the life story of Kenny Sailors. The story is compelling, the visuals are interesting, and the interviews add such charm. This film goes beyond any 30 for 30 about basketball, it keeps the main focus on Kenny Sailors for the whole film and doesn't lost sight.
I would highly recommend this for basketball and documentary fans alike.
An Inspiring Tale On and Off the Court
erice-5106719 June 2020
"Take away the business, the media, the hype around the game. If you want to see pure love, look at Kenny." Kevin Durant's view of the subject of "Jump Shot" captures well the spirit of the documentary and the man at its center - a humble, unlikely star who saw basketball more as a means to connect with and help others than a path to fame.
Using artful and original story-telling techniques, director Jacob Hamilton and his team craft a powerful retelling of the story of one of basketball's most influential players who, until now, has been too often forgotten. Sailors is an easily-likable subject and his inspiring story goes far beyond the court, leaving the viewer fulfilled in more than just learning who introduced the jump shot. This documentary is one to cheer for.
Using artful and original story-telling techniques, director Jacob Hamilton and his team craft a powerful retelling of the story of one of basketball's most influential players who, until now, has been too often forgotten. Sailors is an easily-likable subject and his inspiring story goes far beyond the court, leaving the viewer fulfilled in more than just learning who introduced the jump shot. This documentary is one to cheer for.
A movie filled to the brim with humanity
danieljim-8103517 June 2020
At it's core, Jump Shot is a biography film about Kenny Sailors. It's no surprise you don't know his name, and Kenny Sailors would be the last person to list his accomplishments; of which there are many. Marine, advocate for women's athletics, pioneer in both the literal and metaphorical sense. The reason he is of interest to the makers of the film is that Kenny Sailor is likely the inventor of the jump shot. If you want an inside look on how this literal game changer came about, you will get it. But Jump Shot turns into so much more than that. It feels like a it stumbled onto it's deeper meaning, because once they let Kenny Sailors talk he shared his enlightenment. Listening to him is like a warm embrace, he just radiates kindness. Even at the advanced age of ninety two he is genial and forthcoming, and not at all bitter about his lack of credit for inventing the jump shot. His life has been well spent, and that's the wonder of Jump Shot. Kenny Sailors seems to have found the secret to a happy life, and he has lived his with no regrets. The more we listen the greater sense of awe we have at this man, at the sheer amount of joy he has over his many years. He speaks of faith, of family, of honor, and from that we realize what matters. Jump Shot was not the movie I was expecting, and I'm grateful for it.
Basketball History
estark-0848519 June 2020
Great story of a great man.
jeremiahalindsay25 January 2021
The production quality of this movie is great, and chronicles the legend of a man to whom the game of basketball owes its current form a great debt.
If you haven't watched this yet, watch it now. It might just make you a fan of the man who invented the Jump Shot. (It also might make you a fan of the University of Wyoming-- Go Pokes!)
Great family film
susanthomsonmail8 June 2020
Our family loved this movie about an incredible athlete who showed character and honor through each chapter of his colorful life.
The early basketball footage is riveting and we all learned more about how the game changed over the decades.
I highly recommend this moving film!
The early basketball footage is riveting and we all learned more about how the game changed over the decades.
I highly recommend this moving film!
I watched this film for the basketball, got a lot more than that
jmedlin-7307216 June 2020
Wow. I loved this documentary. From the animations, to the old videos of Mr. Sailors, and everything in between, the film was wonderfully crafted and orchestrated to tell a story about significantly more than sports. While I love basketball and am thankful to understand more about the origins of the game, I'm even more thankful to know that a man like Kenny Sailors was advocating for the people he encountered because of basketball. This is a beautiful story. Job well-done by Jacob Hamilton.
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