big-time basketball programs. He also considers entering the NBA draft in order to play professionally sooner and immediately lift himself and his sister out of poverty. Unable to get through to his son, Jake challenges Jesus to one last game of one-on-one basketball. If Jake wins, Jesus will sign a letter of intent to play for Big State and if Jesus wins, he can make his own decision. After a competitive start, Jake tires during the course of the game and Jesus wins. As Jake is collected for transportation back to Attica, he turns to Jesus and says, "Let me tell you something, son: You get that hatred out your heart, or you'll end up just another nigga ... like your father." Ultimately, Jesus decides to sign to play for Big State and gives Jake his blessing. However, the governor does not give Jake the promised reduction, as Jesus did not sign the letter of intent, and Jake's work release is fabricated to the media as an escape attempt. Jake ultimately finds freedom by casting away his dreams and burdens to his son, symbolized by his throwing of an old basketball over the prison wall where it magically lands on the Big State court where Jesus is practicing alone. Jesus clutches the ball, knowing it is a message of hope from his father. Cast Denzel Washington as Jake Shuttlesworth Ray Allen as Jesus Shuttlesworth Jade Yorker as Jesus Shuttlesworth (age 12) Milla Jovovich as Dakota Barns John Turturro as Coach Billy Sunday Rosario Dawson as Lala Bonilla Jim Brown as Spivey Joseph Lyle Taylor as Crudup Hill Harper as Coleman "Booger" Sykes Shortee Reed as Coleman "Booger" Sykes (age 12) Zelda Harris as Mary Shuttlesworth Quinn Harris as Mary Shuttlesworth (age 6) Ned Beatty as Warden Marcel Wyatt Bill Nunn as Uncle Bubba Michele Shay as Aunt Sally Thomas Jefferson Byrd as "Sweetness" Roger Guenveur Smith as Willie "Big Time Willie" Lonette McKee as Martha Shuttlesworth Travis Best as Sip Walter McCarty as Mance Kim Director as Lynn John Wallace as Lonnie Rick Fox as Chick Deagan Leonard Roberts as D'Andre Mackey Jennifer Esposito as Ms. Janus Tiffany Jones as Buffy Jill Kelly as Suzie Al Palagonia as Dom Pagnotti Arthur J. Nascarella as Coach Cincotta Production Filming took place between July and September 1997. Locations included Coney Island, Brooklyn, Cabrini–Green housing projects in Chicago, Illinois, Elon University, Charlotte, North