Watch Best Shot

Best Shot is a docuseries presented by YouTube Premium that premiered in 2018. The show's story revolves around the life journey of basketball star Jay Williams, a former National Basketball Association (NBA) player, as he coaches a high school basketball team in Newark, New Jersey. Jay Williams, before his injury-prone career as an NBA player, once upon a time played basketball for the Duke Blue Devils. William's career began in 2002, when he entered the NBA through draft. However, his career with the Chicago Bulls ended tragically after a motorcycle accident left him with serious injuries, which he could not recover from, forcing him to retire early from basketball. Best Shot follows the experiences of Williams as he returns to the basketball court, not as a player, but as a coach for the Newark Central High School basketball team. Williams faces a challenging task of imparting basketball skills and team spirit in a group of high school boys coming from underprivileged backgrounds. The eight-episode series chronicles how he trains the young men not only on physical skills on the court, but also on life skills outside the court to help them become better persons. He helps his students to build confidence, trust, and respect for each other, which are key ingredients to building a winning sports team. Furthermore, Best Shot also showcases the individual stories of each player on the team, as they navigate through the challenges of growing up in a tough environment. Some of the players are struggling with poverty and gang violence in their neighbourhoods. Others are dealing with personal struggles and difficulties such as grief, family issues, and academic failure. The series introduces us to students such as Daryl "Truck" Bryant, a young man from a rough neighbourhood trying to avoid gang violence, and Nasir Johnson, who suffered the loss of his mother and tries to cope with the grief. Jay Williams is not alone as he embarks on this journey of helping these young men overcome their struggles. Along with him are two other mentors and coaches, Adam Shopkorn and Shawnice Wilson, who lend their expertise and experience to help the young men. Shopkorn is a renowned sports trainer, who has trained several NBA players, including Kevin Durant. He helps the young men build their physical and mental strengths, and teaches them how to play as a team. Meanwhile, Wilson, who is also known as Coach Ice, is a former professional basketball player, and a mother of two. She provides the young men with supportive and feminine influence, which is lacking due to their environment and personal circumstances. The show is emotionally moving and inspiring as it presents the audience with the struggles of the players both on and off the court. Best Shot is a meticulously crafted production that shows the reality of life in different backgrounds and the role basketball played in their lives. The camera work also captures the raw emotions of the players and their surroundings. The narrative of the docuseries highlights the need for support to underprivileged children and the impact that focusing their time and energy on sports can have on their lives. The show is a sensitive and touching reminder that basketball is not only a sport but an escape that these young men and women require. Best Shot brings to life stories of hope, resilience, and determination in the lives of these young men. In conclusion, Best Shot is a beautifully produced docuseries that elevates the power of sports to foster change in the lives of young men and women. It also underscores the importance of investing in the lives of underprivileged children living in challenging environments. The show’s message and inspiring stories resonate with viewers, and the challenges faced by the young men and their mentors to overcome their adversities is sure to tug at the heartstrings of viewers.