[Jace] It's important to note the three of us
are all from different walks of life.
One of us grew up in a seven-bedroom house.
And one of us grew up in the projects.
One of us grew up in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
And yet, there is something that brought the three of us together.
Hoops.
[crowd cheering]
[Amber] Jace and Nick play on the court.
I'm mostly on the sideline as a cheerleader.
Jocks need to overcome stereotypes.
Arguably, cheerleaders need to overcome them even more.
[crowd booing]
[Amber] When I have pom-poms in my hands, no one is thinking,
"That girl looks like she has a 3.8 GPA."
Or that Nick also has a 3.8.
Or that Jace, with as much time as he spends playing,
has just under a 3.5.
[Jace] When you're the bottom seed in the playoffs,
expectations are low.
[Jace] But you happen to win a game or two,
they act like it's a damn miracle.
It's a game where individual performance matters,
but no one person wins by themselves.
Nick!
[grunting]
[fan] Come on.
Come on, baby. You got this!
- [buzzer sounds] - [cheering]
- Yeah! Let's go! - Yeah!
Yes!
- [Jace] The thing is... - Whoo!
...we never believed what they said about us.
Let's go!
[Jace] We knew the miracle would be if the haters could stop us.
To our illustrious teacher, Dr. Emory Lawson...
[chuckles]
...we have toiled through our class readings in earnest,
in search for the answer to the question, "Is democracy a destination or a journey?"
With all due respect...
we'll have to answer it our way.
["Day Ones" playing]
[Meg] We'll get another shot at Hilltop Central from Chicago.
They beat us in our regular season,
but we're gonna see 'em again at the championship.
It's gonna be held at a neutral site: Los Angeles, California.
- Really? - [players gasping, clamoring]
Mm-hmm.
They're the number one seed. So what?
They won the National Championship last year. So what?
Some say they might do it this year.
Y'all don't know what you're supposed to say yet?
So what?
[players clamoring] All right. Yeah. All right, so what.
Somebody's paying attention. Thank you.
But there's something else they're not considering.
[player] What's that?
Those bright lights in Los Angeles? They were made for us.
- They're made for me. - [clamoring]
[Nick] Freedom, like a championship, is won by conquest.
[clamoring continues]
[Nick] And our mission was clear.
No one gets to stand in the way of our future.
No one.
[chanting]
Without Jace's leadership,
they would not be headed to California to play in the National Championship.
I can assure you, I am a believer. We just have to be sure others are too.
Let me explain what we offer as a service.
We have successfully placed 2,000 athletes in D1 schools.
Our database has contact information for over 350 D1 coaches.
We will create a highlight reel for you
and send it out to big and mid-level programs.
And we will lobby on your behalf so you don't have to.
In a month, every D1 program will know the name Jason Carson.
I'm sure most of them know my name is Jace Carson.
I apologize for that, Jace. Of course they do.
And we'll make sure colleges have
the right narrative regarding our athletes.
The narrative is that Jace is a top-30 player.
If they want a shot at him, they need to step up.
His ranking has dropped.
There are also questions about his character.
Aside from being a vigilante, he posted his confession on social media.
He lied and said his teammates were not involved.
They should respect me for trying to protect them.
- May I be blunt? - By all means.
I don't believe in living in fear.
However, I do believe in facing reality.
Your standing in the collegiate community is spiraling.
No top programs are offering you a basketball scholarship. Is that right?
I mean, that's why you're here.
What about smaller schools?
[sighs] Delaware State. East Mississippi.
Not exactly what you envisioned for yourself.
I need a pathway to the NBA.
You can finish the application and payment process online.
As soon as you do, we will fight for you,
so you can just focus on the game you love.
How much does the recruiting service cost?
It's $10,000 for the first month.
If you want us to continue after that, it's only 5,000 monthly.
But as our client testimonials will attest,
this is an investment into your child's success.
Hmm. We'll think about it.
I already thought about it. We're good.
We need to have a discussion.
This is humiliating, Mom. He doesn't even know my name.
Thank you for coming, Mr. Daniels.
- [Jace sighs] - [sighs]
- [Kathryn] Hi, Mommy. - Hi, baby. How's your day going so far?
Miss Smith said I can bring Penny home with us.
Oh. That's nice. And who's this here?
Larrina. Well, that's a very pretty name.
You maybe wanna bring her home with us too?
No. I just want the pretty doll.
Did she use those exact words, "the pretty doll"?
Yes, Ike. Your daughter. Okay?
The one who reads the books
with the beautiful Black illustrations in them said that.
It's like that experiment in the late '30s,
where they were studying the effects of segregation on Black children.
[sighs] She not messed up like the kids during segregation.
She can still drink from the same water fountains,
but baby, she is one of two Black children in her class.
[sighs, scoffs]
And I remember-- I remember being so relieved that she wasn't the only one.
But-- [scoffs, sighs]
What kind of message is she receiving in that place? This place?
[sighs]
[crowd cheering]
- [whistle blows] - Jarrett! You're in.
[player] All right, get it.
- [cheering continues] - [whistle blows]
This is my show!
[cheering]
[grunts]
[crowd cheering]
Crystal, I know it meant the world to me to be named a McDonald's All-American.
How does it feel to be here?
It's been great. It's such an amazing achievement,
and it's been an honor to play with the top female athletes in the country.
Well, I can say from all of us that we are so proud of how far you've come.
So what's next?
I'll be declaring my college soon.
But, um, in the meantime,
I'm meeting with Gladiator Sneakers to work on some of my initiatives.
Mr. Powers, would you like to discuss this with us?
Um, no. Tha-- That's... [chuckles] ...not necessary right now. No.
He's modest.
However, he'd be the first to say he believes in financially supporting
women's sports and holding sports clinics for girls, and, to top it all off,
he plans to rebuild the gym at the high school I'm graduating from.
[Nneka] Can you confirm this, Mr. Powers?
- Every single word. - [photographer] Can we get a picture?
New gym, that's a nice touch.
Ah, I know.
[photographer] Perfect.
[Jace] Welcome home.
This is nice of you.
Six points at the All-Star game, a steal and three assists?
Yeah, you are the undeniable queen of the DMV.
Thank you.
Not like you need me to tell you.
What's wrong?
When I found out I was named a McDonald's All-American,
I didn't tell you right away, and that hurt you.
I don't wanna make the same mistake.
Okay.
After my McDonald's game, I got another offer.
USC. Full ride.
I know it's not UCLA where you toured, but...
It's still in Cali. Thanks for telling me.
Is University of Maryland still a lock for you?
I, uh, haven't made it official yet.
[clears throat] It's been hard to focus, 'cause...
there's something else.
I'm late.
You mean...
Nah. We've been responsible.
Have we? The third time? Remember?
- Yeah, but I was so careful not to-- - Come on, Jace. Stop.
[breathing shakily] I'm scared, okay? I'm late. And I'm freaking out.
And I just...
Okay.
[Crystal sighs]
Which one do we need?
I don't know. I've never done this before. You tell me.
I've never done this before either.
Let's go. [sighs]
[cashier] You're very welcome.
Crystal Jarrett?
[chuckles] It is you. Oh, my God.
You are truly one of the most incredible people that I follow on Instagram.
[chuckles] That's so nice of you.
My nine-year-old daughter literally said the other day,
"When I grow up, I wanna be like Crystal Jarrett."
Thank you. I'm-- I'm honored.
[inhales deeply]
I'm outta here.
What about the test?
I'm too recognizable. You buy it.
Maybe you haven't noticed, but in some places around here,
I'm kind of a household name.
No offense, but in your dreams, bro.
[customer] Excuse me, can I get a picture with you, Jace?
For sure.
[camera shutter clicks]
- Respect, brother. - Thank you. Thank you.
Don't say it.
So now what?
We're just gonna have to find someone else to buy it for us.
- [sighs] - [sighs]
[bell rings]
[door opens]
[door closes]
- Here. - Thank you.
Yeah, I got you two different ones.
And I suggest that you handle this before our mom comes home.
So I just pee on it and wait?
Yeah, that's... [sighs] ...basically it.
Jack, do you mind leaving for a little while?
Oh, you want a nice little private moment. That is so sweet.
But I don't think so. I bought the test, so I'm staying.
[exhales sharply]
How much more on time?
A minute longer than the last time you asked me.
[giggles]
[giggling]
When I'm really nervous, I-I-- I laugh sometimes.
It's-- [stammers] Just please don't have a medical emergency when I'm around.
[chuckles] I'll be cracking up.
I'll keep that in mind.
It's crazy that your whole lives could change right now.
Thanks for the reminder, Jackie.
[phone beeping]
[Jace] The decisions and choices we make mean everything.
There are so many ways our lives could go.
- It's negative. - [exhales sharply]
Thank God. [mutters]
Looks like y'all dodged a bullet.
But if you're still late in a couple days, go see a doctor.
Do you wanna be pregnant?
Not anytime soon.
So you're trying to be a daddy now?
- No. - Then use the condoms.
[Jackie sighs]
[door opens, closes]
[Tonya] In the experiment, the Black students ascribed
the positive characteristics to the white dolls,
but the negative characteristics to the Black ones.
Doctors concluded that Black children living in a society that was unbalanced
had come to see themselves in a negative light.
Wow, that's disturbing and powerful. Thank you for sharing that.
- You've never seen it? - No.
I think it should be required
for anyone working in early childhood development.
There's always more to learn.
Drop-off's going to begin in a few moments.
I'll make this quick. We have purchased some books
featuring some beautiful Black girls and women.
Reading books like this in school and at home
would not only raise the self-esteem of the Black students here,
but also the awareness of the non-Black students.
I appreciate it, Mr. and Mrs. Edwards.
Every book on our shelf has been hand-selected by me.
I prefer to take a color-blind approach in my class.
Color-blind.
They have the rest of their lives to worry about race and issues that divide us.
Mary, given our daughter's feelings on white dolls versus Black ones,
you might consider the possibility that they're already impacted by race.
Rest assured, I love Kathryn and all the children who come here.
I'm sure you do.
Children of Cedar Cove employees, like your daughter,
will always be treated with the utmost care and respect.
I have to go welcome our students now.
What just happened?
I have no idea.
[Ike] Come on.
[Ike] Focus! Come on, Jace.
Head up! Let's go.
I feel like I'm drowning.
Okay. I'ma give you five seconds to feel sorry for yourself.
You done?
What if I play in Nationals
and a major school still doesn't recruit me?
I haven't given up.
And you haven't either.
- What do we do with outside noise? - Ignore it.
Okay. All the greats had to.
Kobe, MJ, LeBron, KD.
- Don't let other people's opinion... - Become my reality.
Okay. [claps] Come on.
Come on. [breathing heavily]
I don't care about makes and misses!
I care about consistency.
Come down soft. Keep that elbow up.
Same shot every time, Jace Carson!
[Ike] Yeah!
- [Jace] Like most of us... - [Ike] Let's go.
[Jace] ...I am lifted up by others who have had someone in their life lift them up.
Yeah. Hey, great work today.
- You got this. - All right.
[Ike] We'll pick it up in the a.m., all right? [claps]
All right. Thank you, Coach.
- [Ike] Yeah, man. - [Jace] Yo!
Miss you, Coach.
- Miss you too, young king. - All right, I gotta bounce.
[Ike inhales sharply, clears throat]
You wanted to talk?
Uh, yeah. Thanks for coming.
How you making out?
I'm great. Alhamdulillah.
How's Tonya and Kathryn?
You remember that Black/white doll test they did back in the day?
Yeah.
Well, uh, Kathryn's tripping, thinking the Black doll's not pretty.
[sighs] Damn. I'm sorry to hear that.
Yeah.
And this place, i-i-it can do some good and...
def do some bad.
[sucks teeth] How it changes people.
Yeah. I was thinking the same thing.
How long we been ride or die?
[blows] Long-ass time.
Twenty-five years.
And you quit on me.
You quit on my kid.
My son. How could you think I'd be down with some mess like that?
I didn't quit on him. I quit on the offense I was running.
You are ruining my son's love for the game.
CJ get more minutes because CJ's more explosive.
High school sophomore with NBA legacy in his blood and crazy hops.
Now, I know you don't wanna hear that shit,
but I've known you for too long to bullshit you.
Musa loves the game.
Musa just hates disappointing you.
[Naim sighs]
I haven't told anyone, but...
[sighs]
I'm leaving Cedar Cove after this season.
This whole world where board members play God with everyone's lives.
[Naim] Mmm.
How they turn their back on our kids.
We just chess pieces here.
I'm not cut out for that shit.
Now, Musa's minutes will be down,
but he's still the emotional engine of this team.
He's one of our leaders, and we wouldn't be here without him.
And I've told him as much.
You know this ain't about basketball.
It's about us guiding them to be men.
And...
I wouldn't be here without you either.
- Nah, you wouldn't. [chuckles] - [chuckling]
But... I feel the same way.
So what, you unquit?
I unquit.
- Man. - [both chuckle]
I'll be in LA tomorrow.
[Jace sighs]
- You look good. You look ready. [chuckles] - [chuckles]
- Think so? - I do.
[chuckles]
What?
I'm just thinking to myself, you taught me how to tie a tie.
I'm good for something. [chuckles]
Can you throw me up a prayer?
Of course.
Hmm. Dear Lord...
cover my son.
Shower him with blessings, help him to serve you well,
and help him to reach his dreams. Amen.
Amen.
Thanks, Mom.
You're welcome.
Mmm. Let's get you to the airport.
[airplane passing overhead]
[chuckles]
[phone rings]
Hey, Coach.
Nah, actually, I'm in California.
[chuckles] Actually, I was, uh, wondering
if you would like my extra ticket to the National Championships.
Listen, seeing Jace Carson up close and personal is something special, man.
Yeah. Yeah, we can talk about it.
- [crowd cheering, whistling] - Yo, yo, huddle up. Huddle up, huddle up.
All right, y'all.
You deserve to be here.
Play together. Play for each other.
That's right, y'all. Hey, look around. All these people, they here for us.
Today, this is our house. Not theirs. Ours.
- That's right. - And this is home sweet home, baby.
- Yeah. - Hey, hey, hey.
Hey, come on now. Let's go.
Hey, "Home sweet home" on three. One, two, three!
- Home sweet home! [cheers] - [player] Yeah!
[Musa] Let's go, let's go, baby.
- Your shoulder good? - Nah, it was just sweating, my G.
- Yeah. - You know.
Let's go!
Moose!
Come on, Jace!
[players chattering]
[whistle blows]
- [crowd groans] - Okay. That's all right!
Calm down, man.
All right.
- Set it up. - [players chattering, grunting]
Defense!
[grunting]
[Drew shouts] I'm open!
- [player] Let's go, let's go. - [players panting, shouting]
[Hilltop players cheering]
- Really? - [sighs]
Come on!
[players chattering]
[Nick] Knock it down, Jace.
Communicate!
[Nick] Communication feels like a lost art.
But on the court, it's vital.
Moose, tie your shoes!
[crowd cheering]
[whistle blows]
[crowd cheering]
All right, y'all. We're together. Come on. Ey, yo, we together.
Ey, yo. Flash five! Flash five!
That's good, Moose!
[screams]
Let's go!
Swagger, let's go!
[cheering]
Yeah!
[whistle blows]
CJ, Royale! CJ, Royale, Drew, Moose!
[fan] Yo, CJ, come on, you got it, man.
All right. Hey, hey. Hold up, boy. Good job.
Yeah, let's go. Come on! Come on.
Defense! Defense!
[cheering]
That's what I'm talking about. Yeah, man. What?
[laughs] Whoo!
That's how we do it!
[fan] Hey, set that set. Hey, stay strong, boy.
[crowd gasps]
- Time out, time out. - [whistle blows]
[Jace] Get outta my face.
- [player] Let's go! - [announcer] Time out, Cedar Cove.
Listen. Listen, listen! Keep your head up!
Yo, 21. This shit not over.
[Musa] Hey, hey, hey. Hey, boy, you killing it. Walk down there--
Hey! It's not over! It's not over!
- Yo, listen, listen, listen! - Royale!
All right? All right.
Down by 3. We're playing for overtime, all right?
This is how we gonna do it.
[Jace] On this journey, life gives you moments.
[Ike] "Swagger" on three! One, two, three!
Swagger!
Oh, everyone knows where the ball is gonna go. Come on.
[whistle blows]
- [cheering] - [whistle blows]
- [buzzer sounds] - [cheering]
- [screaming] Let's go! - [whistle blows]
His foot was on the line!
- What? - No way. We can't take a look at that?
Hold up, Coach. Let us review the play.
Wait, wait, wait, wait. Wait. Nobody's-- Just wait.
After review, the call stands. Two points.
[Hilltop Central team cheering]
[players sobbing]
I'm sorry. I'm sorry. [cries]
[sniffling, sobbing]
- [muffled] Sorry. - It's okay.
[chattering]
You can't make this...
Think it's time.
[sighs]
[microphone feedback]
I'm sorry about that. I guess that's one way to get your attention.
[chuckling]
Welcome to our end of season banquet.
We've had a season unlike any other.
I wanna take a moment to thank my best friend.
This person has been with me through the ups and downs.
And I'm so grateful for her. My beautiful wife, Tonya.
Thanks to Alonzo Powers from Gladiator Sneakers.
Alonzo promised that he would make sure that the team looked good.
- [audience chuckles] - I did.
And I think we all can agree that we made them look pretty damn good too.
[people cheering]
[chuckles]
To the amazing people behind me,
coaches Seymour Greyson, Naim Rahaim and Meg Bailey.
- [guests applauding] - [player] Coach Meg!
[guests whooping, cheering]
When I came into this job, I was hoping I could navigate you into manhood.
But you-- you taught me what it means to be a man.
In particular, CJ.
CJ, you are one of the most courageous teenagers I have ever met.
And don't worry about filling your pops' shoes.
You're already better than he was.
[chuckles]
- No, no, no. - [Ike] Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.
- [laughs] - Oh. [chuckling] Okay.
- [Ike] Take it easy. - That's true.
And, uh, to one of our juniors. Johnny Fitz, Johnny Fitzpatrick.
Probably the richest kid I've ever had in the locker room.
[chuckles]
But you're also the most humble. Keep working hard, man. I'm--
I'm so proud of you, Johnny. Thank you.
- [cheering] - [player] Johnny!
And now, to our seniors.
I call your name, walk to half-court.
Let me first bring up Mr. Phil Marksby.
- [Royale] Yes, sir. Big Phil. Yeah, Phil. - [cheers, applause]
[players, guests chanting] My Bad! My Bad!
My Bad! My Bad!
[guest] Whoo! Go, Phil.
Phil, you were feared on the court.
And I'm glad your opponents never got to really know you.
'Cause if they did, they would see you are
the kindest human being that they might ever meet.
[audience affirming]
I love you, man. My wife Tonya loves you.
Now take this damn pin and certificate before I start crying, man.
- [both chuckle] - [audience laughing]
[cheering]
- [Musa] Yeah, Phil. - [exhales sharply]
[inhales sharply, sighs]
I wanna thank my coaches...
[chuckles]
...my father and my mom,
and my teammates.
I had days when, sometimes...
I didn't wanna get out of bed.
But I got out of bed 'cause I knew...
I'd-- I'd get to be on the court with you all.
[chuckles]
Tell them about college, man.
Oh, yeah.
And I'll be playing basketball and studying criminal justice
at Howard University.
[cheering, applauding]
Mr. Drew Murphy.
- [player 1] Our brother! - [player 2] Yeah, Drew!
- [cheers, applause] - [players, audience chanting "Drew"]
You started playing for me when you were 13.
He would take two buses from the suburbs
just because you wanted to be a part of something special.
Something that wouldn't be as special without you.
And wherever you go in life,
man, please keep that sense of humor, keep that fire...
and just know I'm so proud of you, man. I love you.
[cheering]
- [player 1] Let's go, Drew. - [player 2] Yeah, Drew.
[sighs]
I just wanna say I'm white.
[audience laughing]
[chuckles, sighs]
On our club team, I was the only white kid.
But I learned so much about the world
in a way which-- which I never would've learned
if I didn't take those two buses into Seat Pleasant for practice.
And it showed me how-- how separated most of us are in the world.
Our team was different.
We were all together,
and that's something that's gonna stick with me for a long time.
Thanks, Mom and Dad, for letting me be me.
My teammates, my coaches, for all the adventures.
[coaches chuckle]
And I didn't get recruited, but I'll be going to Georgetown as a journalism major.
- [applauding, cheering] - Yeah, buddy.
And I'll be a walk-on for the basketball team, and, uh,
trust me when I tell you the headband is not retired.
[laughing]
[cheering]
Nick Mendez.
[player 1] Yeah, Nick.
[player 2] Let's go, Mendez.
- [cheering] - [player whoops]
Ooh. [chuckles]
Nick, we had to convince you to trust us when you first joined our club team.
And you insisted on having number 21.
Roberto Clemente's number.
[Teresa] Mm-hmm.
Your mental toughness is insane.
And I knew you were a special, special player.
But you're even more of a special person.
[audience applause, murmuring]
I just want to say thank you to my brothers.
And I mean it. Y'all are my brothers... [chuckles] ...and I'm gonna miss y'all.
Thank you to my coaches.
- Pops, thank you for all your sacrifices. - Mmm.
Mamí...
you always believed in me.
You made me feel like I could do anything. We made it.
Because of you, I'm going to the University of Richmond.
And 'cause of you, I made the Puerto Rican National Team!
[cheering]
[laughs]
Baila, baila, baila! [laughs]
Mr. Musa Rahaim.
- [players cheering] Moose. - [audience cheering]
Moose.
[all] Moose.
- [Jace] Yeah. Whoo! - [Meg] Go Moose!
I love you, Son. So much.
So damn much.
When you were born, I became a dad.
When you held that basketball, I became a coach.
Coaching you has been a joy.
[sniffs, clears throat]
I want you to remember,
there is nothing you cannot do if you remember to trust yourself,
- have a cause bigger than yourself. - [guest] Yes.
And always remember you got a cool-ass dad.
[all laughing]
- I love you. - I love you, Pop.
So proud of you.
[inhales sharply]
Uh, wow.
Uh, thank you for that, Pop, really.
I'm gonna take that with me. And yes, you are cool.
- [chuckles, sniffs] - [chuckles]
Um, I wanna say thank you to all my coaches.
[inhales sharply, chuckles]
This man. This man right here, Coach Seymour.
You know, I learned that, sometimes,
the best thing to do in the game
and in life is to pause...
[inhales sharply] ...press reset...
and tie your shoes.
[chuckles]
So, thank you for that.
Hey, my-- my shoes are tied, man.
[all laughing]
My brothers.
Damn it, I-- You know,
I wish we could've got this last one for the road, you know?
But it's okay because I can tell y'all right now
there is no group of people that I'd rather go to battle with
every day than you guys, right here.
I promise y'all, I mean that from the bottom of my heart. I love y'all.
[sniffs] Um, gosh, uh, anyway.
I think now's a good time to let y'all know
that next time you're in New York, give a brother a call
because I am taking my talents, my hip-hop talents,
to the Clive Davis School of Music at NYU.
[audience cheering]
- [players] Moose. - Moose.
[laughs]
Mr. Royale Hughes. Please come to the s-- stage.
- [player] Let's go, Royale. - [audience cheering]
- [player 1] Yeah. - [player 2] Yeah, bro.
Royale.
Your mind, Royale, helped me grow to love you.
It's your superpower.
The way that you analyze, problem solve,
and play defense is-- it's inspiring.
[Ike sniffs]
And now, I can't stand knowing that I won't be coaching you anymore.
I love you, Royale.
You too, Coach.
Coach.
You made me a part of something that I'll never be a part of again in life.
My father grew up in DC, was poor... [inhales sharply] ...became rich,
and he pushed me. So, I take nothing for granted.
My mother, from the motherland, Nigeria.
She pushes me, so I don't forget where I come from.
But, Coach, you-- you push me to help me realize where I could go.
You all did.
I'm going to Howard University with my brother Phil here,
where I'll be a business major and help provide analytics
- for the basketball team. - [all cheering]
Royale!
- [player] Go Royale! - [players cheering]
Jace Carson, come on up, man.
- [player 1] Yeah, Jace. - [player 2] Let's go, Carson.
[cheering, applause]
[player 1] Yeah!
[player 2] Good luck, JC.
[cheering fades]
Man, uh...
Can I just tell you how crazy I used to think your mama was?
[all laughing]
[chuckles] She walked up on me in the hardware store,
talking 'bout I need to be your coach. And I'll be damned if she wasn't right.
[chuckles, sniffles]
I needed to be your coach.
I needed to be in your life.
My biggest fear...
[inhales sharply]
...was that you would fall short of your dreams.
Thing about fear is that it can become contagious,
take on a life of its own.
I have never seen you run away from what scares you.
You face it head-on until that three-headed giant is cut down.
Never be afraid to be afraid, young man.
Continue facing your fears head-on.
That's how you make your future.
That's what makes you great.
The universe has your back, Jace Carson, and so do I.
I love you.
- You good? [chuckles] - Yeah. [chuckles]
[cheering, applauding]
[sighs]
[sniffs, breathing deeply]
Jackie. [sighs]
We didn't always get along growing up.
[chuckles]
Things were hard, but I never felt like we were poor
because of you.
And when I maybe got too much of the attention,
you never took it out on me. You looked out for me.
[crying]
[sighs] Mom.
I had an idea about being a basketball player. [sighs]
You taught me how to make that a vision.
[sighs] I don't know how you did it,
but I do know...
the loudest voice cheering from the sidelines is you.
- [Jace chuckles] - [chuckles]
[breathes shakily]
Coach... [sniffles]
...I got this pocket watch for my birthday.
It reminds me to always be a 24-hour person, like you.
My relationship with my father is a work in progress.
He checks in with you to see how I'm doing,
but he also checks in with you because he knows how much you mean to me.
My mom taught me how to be a man.
You taught me how to do it with swagger.
And to my teammates, my brothers, thank you for riding with me.
I love y'all.
[sighs]
And I apologize in advance if I ever gotta face y'all
on the other side of that court. I'ma give y'all hell.
- [Jace chuckles] - [all laughing]
Oh... [sniffles] ...my college situation.
[sighs] I'm undeclared.
Most of y'all know most of my offers went away.
After the championship...
Georgetown offered me a scholarship.
[all cheering]
[chuckles] My boy.
[player] Nice job, Jace.
You did it, Jace Carson!
- Still the loudest. [laughs] - [chuckles]
[players] ♪ We brothers We brothers ♪
♪ We brothers, so strong So what, so what? ♪
[Jace] My success is the success of my mother...
[singing, cheering continues]
...my sister and father and my brothers.
Tearing each other down and stifling each other's voice
because we're different has nothing to do with the pursuit of democracy.
And since we have not yet achieved that,
it is our point of view that democracy remains a journey.
Mmm.
Thank you.
[applause]
Very well done.
Now that you've concluded your oral reports,
let's have a quick show of hands.
How many of you concluded that democracy is a journey?
How many of you concluded that democracy is a destination?
There's no American experience without the Black experience.
However, the English curriculum makes no attempt to reflect that.
And every time we wanted to discuss that, the head of school was too busy.
I can assure you, that's all about to change.
[Emory] Some of you drew from historical events,
some of you drew from current or personal accounts,
but they were all well thought out.
I never expected the head of school to take such an interest.
We are fortunate to have Dr. Lawson assume this interim position.
Thank you.
So, perhaps there's another way to think about it.
In society, we have markers.
When women got the right to vote,
when Jackie Robinson integrated the Majors,
when the Civil Rights Bill passed.
Many people thought those moments proved
that we are a fully democratic society.
And W.E.B. Du Bois said democracy is enlightenment and learning.
So what if the point of democracy is not to say we are a democratic society
and there's no more work to be done?
What if the point is not to even say
that we've almost reached the promised land?
What if the point is to always be arriving,
always evolving, always growing, always challenging,
always being enlightened?
What if...
the journey is the destination?
[dance music playing]
- [students laughing, chattering] - [chuckling]
Okay. [chuckles]
Who'd you come with?
Does it matter?
Look, the whole Cedar Cove Four thing, it was all bullshit.
[stutters] I couldn't exactly tell you what went down.
All you need to know is that it's all behind me.
I'm a good guy.
And I still wanna interview you for my podcast.
And I'm not too bad a dancer either.
I think you are a good guy.
Let's find out about the dancing.
- What up? - Whoo! Moose, what's up?
Hey, you looking fresh, boy.
- [chuckles] Hi. - Oh.
- Remember Tamika? - Of course.
Good to see you. [gasps]
- Hey, Tamika. - Crystal, you look so beautiful.
- Thank you. You too. - Thank you. [chuckles]
All right. Shall we?
We shall. [chuckles]
Thanks for inviting me.
Couldn't think of anybody else I'd rather be here with.
You know, I've-- I've been through a lot, but I missed you.
I missed you too. [chuckles]
This one is for all the lovers in the house.
[slow dance music playing]
[chuckles]
I received your letter of resignation. I won't accept it.
You're gonna have to.
There is some flexibility to renegotiate your contract.
It's not about the money.
What are you gonna do?
Georgetown says they could use me on their coaching staff,
and I'm thinking about it.
You'll take the Jace Carson show on the road?
[Ike chuckles]
Could happen.
Tonya's planning on staying another year at Cedar Cove.
Somehow, she's convinced that the two of you might do some good.
[chuckles]
You, um-- You still believe in that Talented Tenth thing?
I do.
In fact, some might say that you're part of the Talented Tenth,
especially after you receive your college degree.
I'm just trying to be a good-ass dude.
In the spirit of goodness, in our one-on-one game, I confess.
When the game was on the line, I got away with a foul.
- You think? [chuckles] - [chuckles]
Congratulations on the head of school position,
or should I say interim?
I'm told it's just a formality. [chuckles]
[dance music playing]
Ooh, yeah.
[players singing, chanting]
[chanting] ♪ To the left, to the left ♪
♪ Sound off Down low, down low ♪
[chanting continues]
[all cheering]
You feel grown?
Everyone says we're adults.
I do.
I can't wait to be on my own.
At the same time, it kind of scares me.
[chuckles]
At least we get to see each other all the time.
I'm gonna accept the offer from Maryland, and you'll go to Georgetown.
And, you know, it's not really that far.
You know, it's crazy though, right?
You'll be playing against... [chuckles] ...Phil and Nick,
and we can see each other's games on the weekends.
I got something to tell you.
What?
UCLA came back. They're offering me a full ride.
- Wow. [chuckles] - [chuckles]
Now who's the one holding things back?
Just found out today.
That's your first choice.
I still plan on being one and done.
Next year this time, I'm gonna be drafted into the NBA.
That could happen. You'll be in the WNBA. Come on.
We'll get there.
So, you gonna tell them yes?
I don't know yet.
For now, I just wanna live in the moment.
"The journey is the destination."
[chuckles] I like that.
I love you, Crystal Jarrett.
I love you, Jace Carson.