Fast Break

David Greene spends his days in Brooklyn chasing a coaching dream while balancing his deli job. He plays pickup basketball to stay sharp and writes letters to colleges hoping for a chance to coach. His long-suffering wife Jan wants stability, a home and a family, which makes his ambitions feel risky and distant.

David is offered a dubious coaching job at Cadwallader University in Nevada, a chance to pursue his dream at the cost of his personal life. The pay is meager — sixty dollars per win — but a win over Nevada State promises a lucrative contract. He accepts the job, leaving his wife behind, and his marriage becomes a source of strain as he heads west.

David teams up with Hustler, a talented player and pool ace, to assemble Cadwallader's new squad. Hustler's fortunes sour when his associates realize they have been sharked by a con man, threatening their plan. The partnership marks the beginning of Cadwallader's unlikely climb.

Preacher has a strong reason to escape his current situation, including a contract on him after an impregnating incident with a cult leader's daughter. David and Hustler recruit him for his skill and to provide depth to the roster. He joins the effort with caution but determination.

David and Hustler ferret out D.C., a former high school star who has traded his talent for a life running numbers. David recognizes his old potential and invites him to join Cadwallader's mission. D.C. brings street-smart experience to the team.

The team travels to find Swish, a female finesse player with a great jump shot. David convinces the androgynous Swish to pose as a male to play on the team, expanding Cadwallader's options. Her skills add a versatile element to the lineup.

David and Hustler head west to Cadwallader and search for one more player among the shallow pool. They settle on Sam Newton, nicknamed Bull, who provides muscular lane-clearing presence despite limited skill. The assembled quartet begins to form a functional unit that can compete.

Despite cultural differences, David shapes Cadwallader into a legitimate contender. The team's potential draws the attention of Bo Winnegar, the elite coach who runs the top program. This marks the rising stakes as Cadwallader targets a high-profile matchup.

To force Bo Winnegar to commit to a game, Hustler is used to set up a sting operation. The plan succeeds, and Bo agrees to play Cadwallader, turning the dream into a reality. The team must now face the hurdle of travel, prep, and expectations.

A hitman tails Preacher to Nevada, leaving him fearing for his life as he steps onto the court. The danger adds tension to the road to the big game and tests the players' resolve. The team fights through fear with focus on the game ahead.

Prior to tip-off, David makes a deal with a police officer to allow D.C. to play in the big game while he later answers to the law for his illegal activities. The compromise enables Cadwallader to field its strongest lineup for the high-stakes match. This moment tests David's ethics as a coach.

On game day, Cadwallader faces the elite squad of Bo Winnegar in a high-profile matchup. David's wife and his mother travel to Nevada to witness the realization of his lifelong dream and cheer him on. The stands become a personal validation of his perseverance and coaching dream.