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True North: Inside the Rise of Toronto Basketball

The Roots & The Rise

2018 23 min
Coming soon

Toronto is at the epicentre of Canada’s NBA talent boom. We meet the pioneers who have grown the game and introduce a group of young hopefuls chasing their own hoop dream.

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The Roots & The Rise
  • The Roots & The Rise
    The Roots & The Rise
    Ryan Sidhoo 2018 23 min
    Toronto is at the epicentre of Canada’s NBA talent boom. We meet the pioneers who have grown the game and introduce a group of young hopefuls chasing their own hoop dream.
  • Elijah I: Just a Kid
    Elijah I: Just a Kid
    Ryan Sidhoo 2018 15 min
    Elijah Fisher is the top-ranked 12-year-old in the world. We go beyond the rankings and social media clout to see how a family manages the expectations that come with raising a child in the spotlight.
  • King Nation I: Play Small, Win Big
    King Nation I: Play Small, Win Big
    Ryan Sidhoo 2018 23 min
    King Nation AAU are on the rise, but need a floor general. The responsibility falls on the shoulders of 5’9 point guard Keone Davis, 15, who leads the team into the Pittsburgh Jam Fest with high hopes.
  • Cordell I: Trust the Process
    Cordell I: Trust the Process
    Ryan Sidhoo 2018 15 min
    Cordell Veira enters his senior year playing for an underdog program. Time is ticking for Cordell to land a Division 1 scholarship offer while also carrying the weight of family redemption.
  • King Nation II: The North's American Dream
    King Nation II: The North's American Dream
    Ryan Sidhoo 2018 15 min
    Inspired by his father and the NBA players from his suburb, Jalen Celestine, 15, knows the NBA is within reach. With big-time US prep schools calling, the family ventures south for official visits.
  • Elijah II: Defend Your Crown
    Elijah II: Defend Your Crown
    Ryan Sidhoo 2018 15 min
    Along with the legendary coach, Ro Russell, Elijah heads to the Fab 48 Tournament in Vegas and a middle-school ranking camp in D.C. He is set to defend his title as the best in the class of 2023.
  • King Nation III: Bright Lights
    King Nation III: Bright Lights
    Ryan Sidhoo 2018 23 min
    The King Nation trilogy closes with Malachi Ndur, 15, who has gone from small-town kid to major prospect. Malachi along with Keone and Jalen head to the Fab 48 tournament in Vegas with a chance to end the summer crowned as kings.
  • Cordell II: For My Family
    Cordell II: For My Family
    Ryan Sidhoo 2018 15 min
    Without an offer, Cordell’s season is winding down. A slate of big games offers him one last chance to catch the eye of a Division 1 coach.
  • Finale: Making It
    Finale: Making It
    Ryan Sidhoo 2018 15 min
    We catch up with each player in the midst of their journey as they reflect on their road ahead.

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Details

An intimate look at the rise of five aspiring athletes, Ryan Sidhoo’s nine-part docu-series captures the raw emotion of navigating today’s youth basketball machine.

Sports and Leisure
Cultural Diversity and Multiculturalism
All subjects
  • conception
    Ryan Sidhoo
  • director
    Ryan Sidhoo
  • producer
    Shirley Vercruysse
  • executive producer
    Shirley Vercruysse

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