Rez Ball (2024) Plot Summary

Produced by the one and only LeBron James, sports drama, Rez Ball, is the story of a Native American high school basketball team figuring out how to play through the pain.

When the team’s star player, who delivered them to a number 2 seed in the league, takes his own life, the others must unite to find hope and spread it to their basketball-obsessed community. Even with heavy topics touching on suicide, depression, alcoholism and unemployment, Rez Ball manages to feel uplifting and motivating, exactly as you’d expect from a sports movie.

With a run-time of 111 minutes, the story starts with a full-court press and doesn’t let up, wasting no time on ambling introductions or detailed scene-setting. Instead, we’re dropped straight onto the court and into the world of best friends Jimmy and Nataanii, the dynamic duo of Chuska High. Just as the season begins, things get heavy as Nataanii battles depression after the death of his mother and sister. With an easy-to-miss cry for help, high-scorer Nataanii doesn’t make it to the next game.

Based on the nonfiction novel Canyon Dreams by New York Times journalist Michael Powell, the narrative explores a team of youth discovering their power when the odds are against them, combining ancestral traditions with today’s reality. With a crew of B-ball playing non-actors, the dialogue feels natural and sometimes underplayed but very real.

Why does Coach Heather want to leave the rez?

As a former NBA player, she’s seeking a job coaching a college team. Trying to build her professional career as a coach and coaching a high school team on a reservation isn’t particularly prestigious but more a step on a ladder.

Why is basketball so important to the community?

With few other ‘wins’ on the rez, it’s a source of community pride and something residents can hold onto. Players on both the men’s and women’s teams represent the area as the tribe’s warriors.

Why does Coach Heather hire an assistant coach?

Coach Begaye was Heather’s high school coach when she was a student. After the death of Nataanii, as well as a breakup, Heather is as lost as anyone and believes he can help her rebuild the team and get them all through their grief. Coach Begaye instantly brings in native traditions to try to help the team process their emotions.

What ceremony does Coach Begaye perform for the team?

He performs a ‘smudging’ or burning of sacred herbs as a spiritual ceremony to release negative energy and feelings.

Why does Jimmy need to work?

Jimmy only has his mother who’s an alcoholic. At first, she’s too weighed down by her own issues to work. He’s unaware that because of DUIs, she’s also not able to drive outside the rez, limiting her job options.

Why is Jimmy’s mother so disconnected?

While it’s never shared, she seems to have a huge amount of untapped grief that she self-treats with alcohol. The weight of it prevents her from sharing Jimmy’s sorrow over his lost friend as well as participating in anything that might mean more loss.

Why do Jimmy and Badonie fight so much?

Nataanii leaves a leadership gap in the team. And to be fair, the loss of their friend hits everyone hard. The combination of high emotions make them both volatile until they find a way to work together.

Does Badonie have a baby?

Yes, he and Chuska women’s basketball player Dezbah Weaver have a 6-month-old daughter together.

Why do the guys lose to the Chuska women’s team?

Straight up, it’s a lack of teamwork. They’re too busy yelling at each other to work together and the fully in-sync women’s team wipes the floor with them.

Is Sheep Camp a thing?

It only takes a quick squizz on the internet to confirm that Sheep Camp is indeed real. There’s even Navajo Sheep Camp, with one such venue in the aptly named Sheep Springs, New Mexico. It looks like you can even find sheep camp venues to visit for a bit of cultural tourism. Give us a shout below if you’ve attended something like this – we’d love to hear about it.

What goes wrong in the championship game against Sante Fe?

To get to the Sweet Sixteen, the Warriors build a solid winning streak, befuddling opponents by calling plays in Navajo. When they get to that final match, they find that Sante Fe has learned both their plays and the Navajo translation. So calling it out loud in language is no longer their secret weapon.

Why does Coach decline job opportunities at universities?

Having successfully finished the season as well as making a difference to the students, she decides to stick around and help her community as the coach of the Warriors.

How does it end?

Jimmy and his mother have a moment where she lets go of the past and connects with him over a game of street hoops. And, because of the big win and his key role in it, Jimmy receives a number of recruitment offers, indicating a future with options. Now he can get off the rez, just like he and Nataanii planned.

Is the story real?

While Chuska, NM is not a real town, based on a nonfiction novel, the story is certainly real. The book comprises journalist Michael Powell’s coverage of the Chinle High School men’s basketball team – the Wildcats – in Chinle, Arizona during the 2019 season.

Yeego Warriors! (and Wildcats!)

For more, check out our Rez Ball movie review. What do you think? Does it feel realistic to you? Smudge your thoughts in the comments below.

Rez Ball Ending Explained – is Sheep Camp a thing?