Filmed over four years, the documentary Elevate, follows the story of four young men from the SEEDS Academy in Dakar, Senegal, who are selected to play basketball at American prep schools. SEEDS Academy was started by Amadou Gallo Fall, who was previously a scout with the Dallas Mavericks and is currently VP of development with NBA Africa. Fall started the academy to help young men use basketball as a steppingstone to better lives.
The film depicts the young men’s struggle to adapt to life in a foreign country while working hard to reach the goal of making it into collegiate basketball programs. However, the story is much more than Coming to America meets Hoop Dreams.
Despite dealing with visa troubles, sports injuries and the language barrier, these young athletes exhibit an uncommon level of maturity and courage. For these young men, basketball is a means to an end, not the end itself.
Elevate has incredibly likable main characters that you can’t help but root for. It’s a film worth seeing. –lauren mccadney
