Coach Carter (2004)

Another film inspired by a true story, Coach Carter changes the formula up a bit with its story. Because it focuses on high school basketball players, the drama isn't so much driven by the sport, but by the characters and their own individual stories. Like the film's titular character, the focus is put on these young men as more than just athletes, but people with futures to fight for, using basketball as just a vehicle. Samuel L. Jackson brings his usual A-game to the role of Ken Carter, with an adequate young supporting cast for him to mentor.