Watch Lenny Cooke

Lenny Cooke is a documentary film directed by Josh and Benny Safdie that was released in 2013. The film tells the story of Lenny Cooke, a high school basketball star from New York who was once considered a better basketball prospect than future NBA stars such as LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, and Amare Stoudemire. The film begins by chronicling Lenny's rise as a basketball prodigy in the late 1990s. We see footage of Lenny playing in high school games, and testimonials from his former coaches and teammates who marvel at his talent on the court. Many of them speak about Lenny in glowing terms, describing him as a once-in-a-generation talent who could have been one of the greatest basketball players of all time.

However, the film also delves into the less glamorous side of Lenny's basketball journey. Despite his talent, he struggled academically, and his grades prevented him from being recruited by many top college programs. He also had a tendency to get into trouble off the court, and at one point was expelled from high school for fighting.

Despite these obstacles, Lenny remained determined to make it to the NBA, and the film follows him as he tries to navigate the complex world of amateur basketball. We see him playing in showcases and tournaments, trying to impress scouts and coaches in the hopes of being offered a college scholarship.

Throughout the film, Lenny is depicted as a naive and somewhat vulnerable figure. He is constantly being bombarded with promises from coaches, agents, and others who claim to have his best interests at heart, but who are really only interested in using his talent to further their own careers.

One of the most fascinating aspects of the film is its portrayal of the basketball world in the late 1990s/early 2000s. At that time, there was no social media or YouTube, and many prospects were still being discovered through word of mouth. This made it easier for unscrupulous agents and hangers-on to take advantage of young players like Lenny, who were desperate for a way out of poverty.

One of the highlights of the film is the appearance of LeBron James, who was himself a high school phenom at the time. LeBron reflects on his own journey to the NBA, and talks about how he was able to avoid some of the mistakes that Lenny made. He also expresses regret that he was never able to play against Lenny, who he remembers as a dominant force on the court.

The film culminates with Lenny being passed over in the 2002 NBA draft. He is shown watching the draft on TV with his family and friends, his face a mask of disappointment as pick after pick is announced without his name being called. It's a heartbreaking moment, but one that feels earned by the film's careful buildup of Lenny's story.

Overall, Lenny Cooke is a powerful and moving documentary that offers a fascinating glimpse into the world of amateur basketball. It's a story about talent, ambition, and the perils of chasing a dream without fully understanding the consequences. Whether you're a basketball fan or not, it's definitely worth checking out.

Lenny Cooke is a 2013 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 28 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.9 and a MetaScore of 70.