The Ones Counted Out

Abstract

A documentary on the unique journey of Division III basketball players and comparing their experiences to higher level college athletes. According to the NCAA, well over half a million high school students play basketball. Just under 3.5% go on to participate at the NCAA level, spread across all three divisions. While just 1% go Division I, only 1% also go Division II and Division III is nearly as identical as just 1.4% of students get to that level. Division III players don’t have the same spotlight as the athletes who attend higher ranked schools. But if you pull back the curtains, get inside those gyms, and ask the people who surround them what they’re like… is there really much of a difference? This documentary challenges the stigma around Division III athletes and intimately explores the adversity these basketball players face while trying to pursue their passion.