Champions 2023

Marcus Marokovich, a fiery yet talented assistant coach for a minor league basketball team in Iowa, experiences a meltdown during a game, leading him to shove the head coach, Phil Perretti. This incident results in his arrest after a night of drinking and driving, where he accidentally crashes into a police car. The following day, Phil bails him out, but an argument ensues, with Marcus insisting he was right in his actions. Phil tries to explain the importance of understanding players’ personal lives and, unfortunately, informs Marcus that he’s been let go by the team owners.

Facing a judge for his reckless behavior, Marcus is given a choice between 18 months in prison or 90 days of community service with a local community center’s intellectually challenged basketball team known as The Friends. Choosing community service, he quickly realizes that coaching this group will be a formidable personal and professional challenge. After one practice, he accepts a ride home from Johnny, one of the team members, only to discover the driver is Alex, his former Tinder date and Johnny’s sister. This encounter sparks a casual sexual relationship between Marcus and Alex as he navigates his new coaching duties.

As Marcus spends time with the team, he begins to see the players as individuals rather than just basketball talents. One player, Darius, initially refuses to play for him, while another player, Cosentino, returns to the game after recovering from an injury. The team faces setbacks, including being kicked off their bus, leading Johnny to call Alex for help in retrieving them in her quirky Shakespeare-themed RV.

As the bond grows between Marcus and the players, Johnny’s admiration for Marcus leads to an invitation for dinner, where Marcus unwittingly reveals Johnny’s plans to move into a group home. This revelation triggers tension, with Alex chastising Marcus for meddling. Upset, Johnny refuses to play until halftime, when Cosentino reminds him that his commitment is to the team, encouraging him to move past his anger.

While seeking advice from his former assistant coach, Sonny, who is entangled with his uncle in the NBA scene, Marcus learns about the harsh realities of basketball politics and disappointment. However, after realizing his manipulative tendencies, he asks Sonny for help with coaching The Friends, and Sonny agrees.

Benny, another player, faces issues balancing his work schedule, but he finally stands up to his boss to prioritize playing in the semis, which leads to his firing but allows him to shine on the court. During a chance encounter, Phil shares critical backstory on Darius, revealing his tragic accident, which opens Marcus’s eyes to the importance of empathy. Striving for redemption, Marcus approaches Darius to express his understanding and support, fostering an atmosphere of healing that culminates in Darius agreeing to participate in the Special Olympics finals in Winnipeg.

As fate would have it, Marcus receives an offer from an NBA team in Seattle. However, concerned it might merely serve as a publicity stunt, Alex voices her skepticism, prompting Marcus to grapple with the potential fallout from his decision to leave The Friends. Fueled by determination to help the team travel to Canada despite funding challenges, he collaborates with Alex to force the restaurant owner to provide support for their journey.

The Friends arrive at the finals, facing an intimidating opposing team, The Beasts. At halftime, Marcus delivers an inspiring pep talk, reminding them of their triumphs and calling them Champions. As the game resumes, Johnny seizes his moment to declare he is moving in with his friends. The game driven by teamwork comes down to a nail-biting finish, where an improvised play leads to unexpected results; despite the loss, the players embrace their identity as Champions, thanks to Marcus’s guidance.

In a moment of self-discovery, Marcus opts against the NBA opportunity, realizing his true calling lies in nurturing his local community. He accepts a coaching position where he can influence others positively and, alongside Alex, continues his journey with The Friends. Johnny, too, takes a big step forward as he moves in with his peers at the group home, symbolizing the start of a promising new chapter for all involved.