White Men Can’t Jump

Billy Hoyle, a former college basketball player, makes his living by hustling streetball players who underestimate him because he is white. He relies on savvy tactics and flashy moves to win bets on the outdoor courts. He and his live-in girlfriend Gloria Clemente navigate their life under the pressure of mounting debt and danger.

Sidney Deane is a talented but cocky player who challenges Billy on the courts. He proposes a business partnership: they will hustle opponents by making Billy appear as his teammate. The plan aims to exploit rival players' assumptions and maximize winnings.

Their system is very successful at first, and Billy and Sidney build a string of hustles together. They win a two-on-two outdoor tournament, taking home the grand prize of $5,000. Billy's disruptive play helps them overwhelm their opponents.

Their hot streak ends when they lose a game, and it turns out Sidney threw the match to settle an old grudge with Billy. The betrayal exposes the fragility of their partnership and sets a darker tone for their rivalry.

To prove himself, Billy bets his prize money that he can dunk. He fails to slam it, and the disappointment drives Gloria to leave him. The setback deepens Billy's crisis and questions about his life choices.

Billy seeks Sidney's help to win Gloria back by getting her on Jeopardy! If Billy can sink a half-court hook shot, a security guard friend who works at a TV studio arranges it. Billy hits the shot, and Gloria's appearance on Jeopardy! becomes possible.

Gloria initially stumbles over sports questions on Jeopardy!, but she makes a strong comeback with a quirky topic, 'Foods That Begin With the Letter Q.' She wins $14,100 on her first episode. The victory helps relieve some of the couple's tension and sets up a new dynamic.

Billy composes a love song for Gloria and sings it to her, signaling a reconciliation between them. The gesture rekindles their relationship, though it remains fragile as new pressures loom. The moment reaffirms their bond amidst the hustle world around them.

Sidney reveals his apartment was burglarized and his Jeopardy! winnings were stolen, prompting them to chase a bigger score. He suggests a major two-on-two showdown against two LA hoops legends, 'The King' and 'The Duck.' Billy agrees to partner with Sidney and gambles Gloria's winnings on the match.

Billy and Sidney take on 'The King' and 'The Duck' in a high-stakes downtown game and prevail. The winning moment comes when Sidney lobs an alley-oop to Billy, who dunks to seal the victory. The duo's chemistry seems unbeatable on the court.

Returning home after the win, Billy discovers Gloria has left him, unable to tolerate the ongoing hustle and gambling. The mobsters who have been pursuing Billy close in, and he pays off his debts to avoid dangerous consequences. Sidney remarks that Billy and Gloria may be better off apart.

Desperate for stability, Billy asks Sidney for a steady job. Sidney offers him a position at his construction company, giving him a chance to escape the hustling life. Billy accepts, hoping for a more secure future.

The film ends as Billy and Sidney return to the court where they first met, playing a one-on-one game as friends rather than rivals. Their banter remains sharp, but the tone is warmer and more cooperative. The final moment hints at a more stable partnership and future.