Jump Shot: The Kenny Sailors Story

Kenny Sailors has lived a life worthy of more than one documentary. My only problem with this film really, is that it's too short. There is much more I wanted to know. The story of this man inventing a famous basketball move, and going on to champion women's basketball in schools is a fascinating and inspiring one. On top of that, Sailors is a funny and charismatic interviewee and gives a lot of memorable quotes. The editing is good, the pacing well done, and there are cute animated sections!

Honestly enjoyed this film way more then I expected. As a basketball fan this film speaks volumes about the evolution of the game of basketball and how ones mans actions can change the world.

The production quality of this movie is great, and chronicles the legend of a man to whom the game of basketball owes its current form a great debt. If you haven't watched this yet, watch it now. It might just make you a fan of the man who invented the Jump Shot. (It also might make you a fan of the University of Wyoming-- Go Pokes!)

Our family loved this movie about an incredible athlete who showed character and honor through each chapter of his colorful life.

The early basketball footage is riveting and we all learned more about how the game changed over the decades.

I highly recommend this moving film!

At it's core, Jump Shot is a biography film about Kenny Sailors. It's no surprise you don't know his name, and Kenny Sailors would be the last person to list his accomplishments; of which there are many. Marine, advocate for women's athletics, pioneer in both the literal and metaphorical sense. The reason he is of interest to the makers of the film is that Kenny Sailor is likely the inventor of the jump shot. If you want an inside look on how this literal game changer came about, you will get it. But Jump Shot turns into so much more than that. It feels like a it stumbled onto it's deeper meaning, because once they let Kenny Sailors talk he shared his enlightenment. Listening to him is like a warm embrace, he just radiates kindness. Even at the advanced age of ninety two he is genial and forthcoming, and not at all bitter about his lack of credit for inventing the jump shot. His life has been well spent, and that's the wonder of Jump Shot. Kenny Sailors seems to have found the secret to a happy life, and he has lived his with no regrets. The more we listen the greater sense of awe we have at this man, at the sheer amount of joy he has over his many years. He speaks of faith, of family, of honor, and from that we realize what matters. Jump Shot was not the movie I was expecting, and I'm grateful for it.