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Hooked: The Legend
of Demetrius 'Hook'
Mitchell
A
Documentary by
Michael Skolnik and William O'Neill
Screening, Sunday, June 15,
2003, 5:30 p.m.
San Francisco Black Film Festival Gary Payton is one of the top point guards in
the NBA and arguably one of the best of all time. He grew up
with Demetrius "Hook" Mitchell and says Hook is better
than he is. Jason Kidd and Brian Shaw agree. Yet, most of
the free world hasn't heard of this mythic figure who only
stands five feet nine inches because as legendary as he was on
the court, problems off the court derailed his trip to
immortality and landed him behind bars. This is his story.
Hook's compelling story is told through the
lens of filmmakers Michael Skolnik and William O'Neill. Their
film made its world premiere at The 2003 Tribeca Film
Festival.
The San Francisco Black Film Festival presents
the West Coast Premiere Hooked: The Legend of Demetrius
'Hook' Mitchell.
A native of West Oakland, CA, Demetrius
"Hook" Mitchell is said to be one of the
greatest basketball players never to make it to the NBA.
At just 5"9', he built his legendary street status by slam
dunking over any obstacle he could conquer, most notably over
the top of a Volkswagen. But, it seems, the one obstacle
Hook could never overcome was the street itself. His dream
was to play basketball in the NBA, but since 1999, Hook's been
playing in prison.
Born on September 11, 1968, Hook's parents,
both drug addicts, abandoned him soon after his birth.
While his grandmother did her best to raise him, she couldn't
stop the ever-present pull of drugs and crime that permeated the
streets of West Oakland. By age 10, Hook was smoking
marijuana, at 12 he was snorting powder cocaine and by 17 he was
snorting heroin. Neighborhood drug dealers took notice,
taking care of Hook's
addiction in exchange for entertaining them with his spectacular
dunks.
Oakland is the birthplace to more NBA
basketball stars than any other city in the country. Hook
attended McClymonds High School with Antonio Davis where,
together, they ruled the home court. Across town at the
rival Skyline High, Gary Payton was a favorite. Davis,
Payton and other Oakland natives such as Jason Kidd, Brian Shaw,
J.R. Rider and Greg Foster all ascended to illustrious NBA
careers; Hook sank deeper into his addiction. He never
graduated high school but, astonishingly, Hook ended up as the
star player for two different Junior College teams. The
schools forged Hook's high school transcripts (he never even enrolled in junior college classes) and, as always, Hook
got special treatment as a result of his unparalleled athletic
talent. Hook, his abilities and his habits were exploited
over and over by schools and drug dealers alike.
On December 27, 1999 Hook was arrested
for armed robbery. He agreed to a plea bargain, forgoing
trial, and was sentenced to a reduced term of five years with no
less than 85% time served. Hook is now clean and sober.
He's been transferred to Konocti Correctional Facility, a
low-level institution without walls in Lower Lake, CA, and will
be released in 2004.
His ability on the court made him a
basketball star, even where his choices made him just another
number, another would-be gone wrong. His childhood
friends, many heroes themselves now, still talk about him-his
renowned slam-dunks, his undeniable prowess and his raw,
uninhibited talent-proving that even today, Hook Mitchell is
still a playground
legend.
If you like this review consider making a donation
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Screening,
Sunday, June 15, 2003, 5:30 p.m.
BRAVA
Theater Center
2789 24th Street
tickets www.ticketweb.com
or 1-866-468-3399
5th
Annual San Francisco Black Film Festival
June 11-15, 2003
For more information go to www.sfbff.org
Contact: info@sfbff.org |
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update 6 August 2008
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