This kid is a high school basketball phenom.
Depending on who you talk to, top 30, top 25 in the nation.
But he's about to turn 18 now.
They're gonna look at him a little differently.
They're no longer gonna ask themselves,
"Does this kid project as someone who could play on the next level?"
Happy birthday.
They'll be asking,
"Can this grown man play at the next level?"
Birthday boy!
Hey, sorry I missed your party.
Had a game. We won, but, yeah, sorry.
Don't forget after work I have a cosmetic party for my consultants.
What time did you go to bed?
- After midnight. - You need to get more sleep.
Sleep is for kids. I'm a man now.
Not till Friday, baby. What are you working on?
I have a democracy group project for Dr. Lawson's class.
I hope it's not due today.
Jace.
Why do you think I was up past midnight? Cedar Cove is hard, Mom.
Then you better not be late.
I'm about to let everyone know 18-year-old Jace Carson has arrived.
New season, new coach, new level.
Get your butt to school.
- Love you, Mom. - Love you too.
I'm every woman It's all in me
- Every one from A to Z - Come on, Daddy.
Whoa, whoa, whoa-oh-oh
All right. Let's do this.
Okay.
Free tuition, not a bad perk.
Perk is an understatement.
A year's tuition in a place like this would be two years' salary for me.
- That's crazy. - Be right back, okay?
Okay. Now remember
when we drop her off and we say our goodbyes,
- we have to mean it even if she cries. - Even if she cries.
I know. I know.
I'm more worried about you.
I'm not the reason she's still sleeping in our bed.
It's not my fault we made a cute-ass baby that thinks I'm cozy.
It's not part-time day care anymore, okay?
This is eight hours a day, five days a week.
- Good morning. - Morning.
Hi.
- Okay. - Yeah. All right. 'Kay.
- Good morning. - Okay, Mom and Dad.
Yeah.
All right. Come on, baby. All right.
Mommy and Daddy love you, okay?
We love you so much, Kat Kat, but we gotta go now, okay? Goodbye.
Okay, bye.
Okay.
So if she gets upset, you could FaceTime me-- us.
And she loves to sing so-- She loves it.
- Thank you. Let's go. - Okay.
All right.
Phil! Baby, come on.
This boy.
What's good, Phil?
- Hey, what's up? - Hey, what's good, big man?
We're late.
We're only late 'cause my other shirt is too tight.
Well, maybe you should think about not growing so damn much.
You know I can't control that.
Listen, remember what Coach Ike said about today, okay?
Just be yourself.
- Yeah. - Yeah?
- Okay, ten and two. - All right.
The speeches of W.E.B. Du Bois.
The talented tenth.
You're familiar with his teachings?
I'm a little rusty.
He believed the most talented tenth of our race should be leaders of thought,
missionaries of culture.
- Thank you. - Of course.
Landing Phil Marksby would be very impressive to the board,
who, by the way,
are very excited to meet our interim coach.
They wanna know if you can win us a national championship.
Doc, you said this interim thing was a formality.
It is. Just win your first game.
Damn.
Yeah.
What are you interested in other than basketball?
I've been playing chess since I was 12.
I'm almost at a 1,800 ranking,
but I need to improve my endgame.
Wow, very impressive.
Yeah, I got good playing online. Not for money or anything.
Just for fun?
Yeah. I mean, yes.
What are your goals for next year?
I'm really interested in studying criminal justice in college.
Fantastic. Do you think law school's in your future?
I'm not sure yet, but I do know that the system is broken.
And sometimes they treat people who are in need like they're criminals.
I wanna fix that.
If you'd like, it would be great to have you
and your mom observe a class today.
I'd really like that. Thank you.
No. Don't do it. Don't.
Hey, Dr. Lawson, can we have an extension on our outline?
We just need another day to... elevate the material.
Why would you get an extension over everyone else?
Actually, Dr. Lawson,
I'm really passionate about this assignment.
It's just taking me a while
to put it all into words, you know?
Get all my thoughts together.
Let me have a private word with Mr. Carson.
Finish this sentence, "To whom much has been given..."
"Much is expected."
- So you have heard that. - Yes.
If I understand correctly, you are on the cusp of 18.
- Yes, but what does that-- - As a young man,
I expect you to be acutely mindful and acutely prepared,
not just on the hardwood, Mr. Carson. Understood?
Understood.
- Krista Cooke. - Krista, it's Joe Warrick.
Coach Joe Warrick.
I thought you were behind bars.
I'm on probation right now.
I'm trying to piece back my life after all those false allegations.
What do you want?
I have something that a good journalist like yourself may be interested in seeing.
I doubt it.
It's about the guys Crystal Jarrett had attack me.
I know who they are.
You didn't realize she was behind it.
Wasn't expecting to coach my son again. Thanks.
Before y'all thank me,
the athletic director made it a point to remind me that I'm interim.
So, I guess that holds for y'all as well.
We'll keep the Swagger club team rolling
and I'll head up the 15Us,
if you prove yourself worthy of the Cedar Cove way.
Good morning.
Morning.
Lady and gentlemen, Seymour Greyson at your service.
- Coach Ike. - Hi, Ike. It's a pleasure.
- Meg. - Meg.
- Naim. - Naim.
- Welcome to Cedar Cove Prep. - Thank you.
They said you've been here for 35 years?
- Thirty-eight. - So,
what's the secret to surviving in a place like this?
I wish I could say it was winning,
but I think it's a combo play of politician and coach.
Might as well not unpack these boxes.
Okay, I'll take these back then.
- Hey, Sierra, ready for class? - Yeah, just gotta write down...
Steinbeck's plot focuses on the migrants moving west.
Thematically, what does his narrative touch on?
How a community can help each other through challenging times.
It reflects core American values of unity.
Obviously, Christianity becomes a theme.
All good points. Let's continue the reading.
Casey.
"The concrete highway was edged with a mat of tangled, broken, dry grass,
and the grass heads were heavy with oat beards to catch on a dog's coat,
and foxtails to tangle in a horse's fetlocks."
Never thought Phil would get the opportunity
to go to a place like Cedar Cove, but it's not a lot of Black faces though.
I mean, right now he's got Black classmates, Black teachers.
Here it's almost all white. Yeah, it's 15 to a class.
There's like 35 students to a class at Seat Pleasant.
What do you think of this place?
It's only my second day here.
Yeah, but you took the job. How come?
A place like this...
it can either make a kid, or it could break a kid.
Break a kid, how?
If Cedar Cove makes Phil think he has to be someone other than himself,
then it's destructive.
But if he could keep it a hundred and do well,
I don't know, it could open up some doors.
- The Jace Carson... - Yeah, he coming.
...taking time out of his busy schedule to give me a tour?
Wow, I'm honored.
I'll leave you in his capable hands.
Thanks for everything.
What's up, Big Zero? What's good, boy?
- What's up, bro? - Cool, my man.
- Hey, this place is crazy. - What's up, Phil?
Damn, y'all really pulling out the red carpet for a brother.
What's up, dawg?
Hey, the best player need the best NFTs. Let me put you on real quick.
What?
That does hit different.
- Right? - Okay.
Hey, when you in your own lane, Phil, there's no traffic.
All right, look, you commit to Cedar Cove, I'll consult you on your NIL portfolios.
And, look, between my debate team experience
and my basketball skills, I'm a one-stop shop.
- He ain't lying. - Okay, Royale.
And listen, everyone comes to our games. Think your little D1 offers are cool now?
They'll triple the second you put on
- a Cedar Cove jersey. - That's right.
Okay, Mendez.
I didn't even see you coming, fool.
I really do blend here, man.
Get your chopsticks, bro. They serve sushi in the cafeteria.
- Real talk. - For real?
- Hi, Jace, who's your friend? - Jessica,
- this is your soon-to-be classmate, Phil. - What's going on?
- How you doing? - Can I get a picture?
- Why not? - For sure.
Come on, get in here.
Your hair. It's so cool.
Bye, guys.
Wow.
- Really? - Oh, my God. Did you get it?
- Oh, my-- Shit. - Bruh.
I feel you, no cap.
- There's some things about this school. - Yeah. Say less.
Yo, at the end of the day, you got us.
And come next year, who knows where all of us are gonna be?
Yeah, man.
You're not supporting cast. You're the missing piece.
This is our last chance to all be on the same team.
If we gotta go out, we should go out as brothers.
- That's right. - For real.
Back together, bro.
Big Phil, this could be the best birthday present you ever gave me.
Yo, big man.
What's good, Crystal?
I heard a rumor that you leaving us for some country club school.
Hi, Crystal.
I haven't made my mind up yet.
Basketball-wise, I'd get way more visibility,
but I don't know about the culture over there where it's all cool
for white kids to come up to me, investigate my hair.
But between you and me, I think I'm in love.
What? With who?
I don't know her name.
You don't know her name, but...
- She the one though. Like...
- Okay. - Yo, you a bona fide menace.
I'ma see you at Jace's birthday party?
Nah, I have a game, so can't make that one. Yeah.
- All right, get buckets, son. - Yeah.
Thirty-piece. Yeah.
- Hey, you okay? - Yeah.
- Okay. - Yeah.
The opening day of the new science building is finally here.
It's all because of the generous donation from the Gibbons family.
But we wouldn't be here today
if it weren't for one very special student, Amber Gibbons,
who has just received early acceptance into MIT
and is the very inspiration for the building before you.
And let's give it up for our fearless leader,
chairwoman of the board, Diane Harrison-Fitzpatrick.
You have to smile. Be nice.
I'm nice.
Diane secured the generous $20 million donation
from the Gibbons family and matched it in grants.
- Champagne? No? - No, thanks.
Hey. How about you? Champagne?
All right.
Yeah. Yeah, all right.
- How you doing? Nice to meet you. - Hello. Hope you're well.
Let's-- So, anyway...
Megan Bailey.
Camden Ryder, Senior.
You owe me 20 bucks.
Excuse me?
For the loss against the Pistons eight years ago.
Wow. Okay.
Your son CJ, he's a promising young player.
Happy to have him in the family business.
You're the first female coach he's ever had.
That's not the first time I've heard that.
Just so you know, I don't want you to go easy on my son. He can take it.
Diane Harrison-Fitzpatrick, who needs no introduction.
- It's lovely to meet you. Tonya. - Pleasure--
Pleasure to meet you. And pleasure to meet you as well.
I love what you've done with this place.
As you know, Diane, the basketball team
had earth-shattering success under Coach Nichols,
but the athletic department is thrilled
to have Ike here on board as the interim coach.
He's taking night classes towards his college degree
and displaying a real commitment to the Cedar Cove way.
My son Johnny is on your team,
and he's over the moon to have you as his coach,
so I can't wait to see what you do at the season opener.
- Thank you. Thank you. - Yes.
Excuse me.
...red wine. I've been usually a Bordeaux kind of guy.
- Hi. - Hey.
I hope there are no hard feelings
that Swagger decided not to renew with Gladiator.
No. No. No hard feelings at all. Stop.
So, what brings you to the opening of a science building?
You didn't hear?
Gladiator Sneakers is actually in business
with a few prep schools, namely Cedar Cove.
So, as soon as that ink is dry,
you guys will have some fresh new gear coming your way.
- Alonzo Powers. - My man.
I have someone I want you to meet.
- Okay. Absolutely. - Come this way. Excuse us.
- Definitely. - No worries.
Sorry, Meg, you haven't gotten rid of me yet.
Did he say interim?
Setting me up to fall on my face.
You remember when my ex-boyfriend came over
to my parents' house for Sunday brunch,
and you were there to meet my entire family?
I couldn't go out like a punk in front of your grandma and Uncle Bobby.
You won the charm offense, and I sent homeboy packing.
Be that.
- Champagne? Of course. - Thank you.
Let's light 'em up.
- A toast to Ike and Tonya. - Thank you.
Yes!
Don't get me wrong, I love working,
but there's also that part of me that feels guilty.
No, no, no. It's a job to be a stay-at-home mom.
You just can't put it on your résumé.
It's the hardest job I've ever had.
I feel blessed to have been able to have been there
every step of the first few years of my baby's life.
It's complicated and we do it anyway.
So, moms and-- Hello.
- Hello, hello. - Hey, baby.
Good to see you. Good to see you. Good to see you.
- You came to save me? - You enjoying yourself?
Definitely.
Look, we're begging you, big homey, please give us the exclusive, all right.
Do it not only for the culture but for our loyal subscribership.
Phil "My Bad" Marksby.
My melanin-lacking brother.
Where will you be playing basketball this season?
After much discussion,
this season, I will be bringing my talents to...
- Swagger Prep! - Yo! Y--
Yo! What? Dawg, he just renamed our school on the pod--
- He just renamed the whole school. - Our podcast!
That's our cue. One last thing before we go, a PSA.
Fellow white people, this one's an oldie but a goody,
please stop touching Black people's hair.
You're crazy, Drew.
- Drew, you really crazy, dawg. - Swagger Prep!
- Yeah? - Yo.
Yo. Great practice today.
- You wanted to see me? - Yeah, close the door.
All right, so, Ohio State and Providence hit me about you this morning
and I just got off the phone with the University of Memphis.
All right, so there's a lot of heat on you right now,
and I just wanna know where your head is at with it.
I'm excited,
but don't wanna to make any wrong moves.
A coach could say he's dying to coach me,
then have me riding the bench.
You know what my strategy was when I was getting recruited?
What?
Avoid a decision at all costs.
Mine is be cool all day, stress the hell out all night.
Not getting much sleep?
Nah. I kind of feel like something big is about to happen.
Well, look...
It's not just coaches I'm hearing from.
What do you mean?
I heard from your pops.
He's in town, and he wanna meet up with you. I thou--
Why is he calling you?
He said you wasn't replying to his messages
and that he couldn't find a way to reach your mom.
There's a reason nobody wants to talk to him.
Jackie won't talk to him.
My mom probably been blocked his number.
Okay. So how do you want to handle it?
Because he's been calling me every month asking about your life.
Hold on.
Listen. I know why you're upset,
but if I could do it all over again with my pops--
I gotta go.
Birthday boy, it's been a while. Good to hear from you.
Yeah.
Is something wrong?
Coach told me that my father really wanna see me.
I don't really know how to feel about that.
I mean, with all that's going on.
Recruiting pressure, my school is hard as hell.
I know I should be grateful...
but all I wanna do is get back to the court
where everything disappears for just a second.
Honestly, Crys...
I'm hoping you can come to my game
'cause I don't really know how I'm gonna do 18 without you.
Hello?
Hey, college boy.
What does being in a geometry class at 33
have to do with me being a good basketball coach?
Isn't basketball a game of angles?
I don't wanna admit that's true in this conversation.
I had a job interview today at Cedar Cove.
What? Why didn't you tell me?
I just thought it was some coach's wife coffee tour
with the head of the school, but turns out there's an opening
in the Department for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
- And they want you? - They made an offer.
Told 'em I'd think about it. What do you think?
I think Cedar Cove would be lucky to have you,
as long as you're cool with running into me.
I'm kind of the big man on campus now, but--
Right, right. Well--
I'm proud of you.
Thanks, babe.
I haven't said yes yet.
You know I'm not trying to be the person of color in the display window.
- I'm sure you made that very clear. - You know I did.
What's this?
I have to paint your fingernails.
- I don't remember-- - You promised.
Yo, you okay?
Yeah, you busy?
Kathryn is painting my fingernails.
Don't ask.
I don't need to. You a good dad.
Thanks, man.
Hey, I'm sorry I didn't let on about your pops.
I wanna meet up with him.
Can you hook it up?
Yeah. Yeah, I got you.
Thanks, Coach.
All right. All right. Bye, man.
That is beautiful. Look at that. Just amazing.
Thank you so mu-- All right, you know.
I think it looks great. What do you think?
It needs a little stripe.
Okay, a little stripe. That should match the uniform perfectly.
Thank you.
Yo, look what the cat dragged in.
You know I wouldn't miss seeing my bighead brother turn 18.
Plus, we all know that you prefer when I make the birthday pancakes.
Hey, Jack.
Hey, old man.
What's up?
What's wrong?
Coach told me our father's been reaching out to him.
He wants to meet me in person.
When?
Tonight.
The night before your 18th birthday?
Yeah.
The season's about to start, and you don't need any distractions.
It's always a distraction... whether I see him or not.
I'm about to be a man.
And you wanna handle this like a man.
Yes.
If that's what you need, I get it.
When did you get in town?
I wanted to say happy birthday in person.
I didn't know what to get you, so I got you this.
Nah, man.
$1800. Hundred every year.
It's not a lot.
But figured if I give you this,
at least you could get something that you want for yourself.
If it's all right with you, I'ma give this to my mom.
I just needed to see you, man.
I needed to see you too.
I'm sure you got stuff to get off your chest.
I'm ready.
I'm okay.
I'm gonna be okay.
I wanted to tell you that man-to-man.
You know, for a while, I thought I was sick or something.
I thought there was something wrong with me.
Dead-ass. I didn't think you left Mom.
It didn't even feel like you left my sister.
It felt like you left me.
I thought something was wrong with me.
But I need you to know...
I'm okay.
All right, so as president, I would just like to say,
happy birthday, Jace Carson.
Thank you, thank you, thank you, y'all.
Thank you. Let's continue the meeting, please.
All right, in my English class, you guys, we are on our third white author in a row.
Now, I really do doubt our teacher means any harm
because he's just so excited about us reading a story
featuring the migrants movement.
However, we are learning that 400,000 settlers
- moved to the West, right? - Right.
What about the Harlem Renaissance
where six million Black people moved from the South to the North?
And this just goes to show that, once again, it's like our authors,
our voices and our stories are silenced.
Right.
We are gonna be establishing a committee to challenge the curriculum,
and we are looking for some volunteers.
- That's cool. - For sure. Okay.
I'm Phil Marksby. I'm new here,
but I, for one, am down for the cause.
Yeah.
Okay, thank you.
Man, what you doin'?
Hey, Rae. I could kick it with you for a minute?
I'm pretty busy right now,
but I'm sure that one of your teammates
that are just looking to get club membership
on their college transcript could help you out.
Wow, so you got me all figured out then, huh?
Don't I?
And now, your Cedar Cove Mustangs!
Grown-ass man, happy birthday.
Thanks. Appreciate it.
Hey, why do I keep hearing people call you interim?
They say it's just a formality, so...
Heard you gotta win to keep your job.
Let's not find out. How was pops?
It was all right.
It takes a lot of energy to stay mad at people.
Thanks for connecting us.
Jace Carson's mom's driving up.
- Hey. Thank you. - Hey, Ms. Carson.
- Hey, Jackie. - Crazy.
I'm not doing this.
Jackie. Baby girl.
I'll be back.
As long as you're here, it's a little late for this.
I know that cash is just a little drop in the bucket, Jenna.
But I can't take it back.
Let's go, boys!
You must be Alonzo Powers.
Dr. Lawson. Man, I can't wait to work with you.
We should definitely talk. The deal hit a bit of a snag.
How so?
Gladiator offered a one-year commitment.
We-- I am looking for something longer.
I see.
Well, you guys have Jace Carson, Nick Mendez
and Phil Marksby as your starters, but they're seniors.
So convince me that you'll be as dominant next year,
and then we'll have something to discuss.
My advice to you though, don't get in our-- my way.
Ball, ball, ball!
Come on, Jace!
Defense!
Move left!
We gotta find out.
Oh, yes!
Happy birthday.
I heard glowing reviews about your interview.
Not to overstep, but do you have any indication
of which way you may be leaning?
I haven't notified the head of the school yet,
but I've decided to take the job.
- Congratulations. - Thank you so much for everything.
Of course.
There it is. High-- That's high.
Hey, where's your head at? Yo, where you at right now?
Here, right here.
Look at this pink fingernail. You see this pink fingernail?
What?
I thought about scrubbing it off, but then I thought,
"This is where I am right now. This is my new chapter."
- Okay, Coach. I got it. - Okay, then don't forget to play.
- I am playing. - Nah, man. Play.
Everybody!
Let's go!
Let's go, let's go.
- Cedar Cove on three. - No, no, no!
Forget Cedar Cove! Swagger Prep on three. One, two, three!
Swagger Prep!
Let's go.
- Let's go. Let's go. Let's go. - Right.
Bring that baby.
Yeah.
Yeah, let's go!
Here's what I would say.
Know who you love, know what you believe and know what you stand for.
'Cause the truth of it is,
playing ball has very little to do with being a man,
but being a man has everything to do with how you play ball.
Let's go!
There he is!
- Let's go! - Let's go, Jace!
Birthday boy!
What you doing here?
Yeah.
- My Bad! My Bad! My Bad! - My Bad!
My Bad!
My Bad! That's how you do it!
Wait, hold up. Hold up.
Yes! Way to hit, Johnny.
Yeah! Yeah! Let's go!
Go!
Three!
Yeah! Yeah!
Jace Carson! Jace Carson!
Jace Carson!
Swagger Prep! Swagger Prep! Swagger Prep!
Crystal Jarrett, sorry to bother you. I'm Krista Cooke with the Marylander.
I know who you are.
Last season you wrote I'm "so good, it's scary."
And I meant it.
I'm told you might have knowledge
about who attacked Joe Warrick four years ago.
Swagger Prep! Swagger Prep! Swagger Prep!
Swagger Prep! Swagger Prep!
Hey! I see you, Coach!
Whole world see you, kid.