Above the Rim

Kyle-Lee Watson is waiting to hear if he'll receive a Georgetown University scholarship. He faces a difficult choice between joining coach Mike Rollins' team or aligning with Birdie, the neighborhood power broker, as a playground basketball tournament approaches. The outcome could determine his future in college basketball and his loyalty to friends and mentors.

Kyle carries resentment toward Thomas 'Shep' Sheppard, now a high school security guard. The tension is intensified by Kyle's mother falling in love with Shep. This personal conflict complicates Kyle's relationships on and off the court.

Coach Mike Rollins contemplates retirement and hints that Shep might take over coaching duties. Rollins hopes to secure a smooth transition that preserves the team’s future. The dynamic shifts as leadership questions loom.

Flip, a homeless former teammate, reveals to Kyle that Shep is Birdie's older brother. The revelation deepens Kyle's sense of betrayal and ties the two camps together and against him. The newfound truth raises the stakes of every decision.

Birdie humiliates Bugaloo in front of his team, heightening tensions. Bugaloo and Shep then tell Kyle that Birdie had murdered Flip the previous night. The revelation shocks Kyle and escalates the impending conflict.

That same night, Shep challenges Kyle to a one-on-one game and defeats him, aiming to teach Kyle a lesson about loyalty and self-worth. The defeat prompts Kyle to reconsider his priorities and loyalties. The moment underscores the mentor-student dynamic at play.

Kyle initially joins Birdie's team for the tournament but quickly returns to his old squad after witnessing Birdie's violent actions against his friends. He chooses to play with his former teammates and protect his relationships. The decision shifts the tournament's balance and loyalties.

Both Kyle's team and Birdie's squad advance to the finals, setting up a high-stakes showdown. Kyle's team emphasizes cohesive, team-oriented basketball, while Birdie's squad relies on a rough, dirty style. The clash is set to test every player's resolve.

Before the final, Birdie threatens Kyle to throw the game for an easy victory. Kyle faces brutal pressure and is targeted throughout the match. The scene tests his integrity and loyalty under extreme duress.

The final becomes a brutal contest, but Shep joins Kyle's team to bolster the comeback. In the final seconds, Shep passes to Kyle, who dunks the ball to secure the win for his team. The moment seals the championship and Kyle's future.

Birdie orders Motaw to kill Kyle. Shep protects him by jumping on him, and Motaw shoots Shep. A plainclothes NYPD detective fatally shoots Motaw afterward. The violence reshapes the neighborhood's power dynamics and sets a grim tone for what follows.

In a turn of events, Bugaloo kills Birdie in the club as revenge for previous humiliations and Birdie's attempt on Kyle's life. The act of vengeance closes Birdie's arc and reshapes the power balance in the neighborhood.

Kyle is revealed to have earned the Georgetown scholarship. In a subsequent televised game, he hits the game-winning shot while a recovered Shep, Mailika, and Coach Rollins watch with smiles. The finale confirms Kyle's hopeful future and the resilience of those who supported him.