Script

INT. HIGH SCHOOL GYM - EVENING

(OPENING CREDITS ROLL OVER GYM FOOTAGE)

FADE IN AS SFX: faint bouncing basketball, shoes screeching, heavy breathing

JD stands at the top of the key, dribbling, focused.

Opponent crouched low, watching his hips.

JD [VO]

This moment. It's the kind you dream about. A single shot. Win or lose. Everything slows down. Every breath, every step, calculated. It's do or die.

He shifts left then right, testing his defender.

JD [VO]

You tell yourself it's just another shot. But that's a lie.

Explodes into a quick crossover. Dribbles between the legs.

Defender bites. JD steps back, separates.

SFX: Heartbeat thumps

SLOW MOTION: He rises. Shoots. Perfect form, release, arc.

LONG SHOT SLOW MOTION: Ball completely misses the hoop.

Silence, then:

PLAYER 1

Yo, was that a lob?

PLAYER 2

Nah, that was a prayer.

COACH MARCUS

Davis, you tryna take out a bird?

JD just stands there.

LONG SHOT REVEALS THIS WAS JUST A 2 ON 2 PRACTICE

CUT TO:

INT. COACH'S OFFICE - LATER

Coach Marcus leans back, arms crossed.

2.

JD slouches.

COACH MARCUS

Let me guess. You thought that was going in.

JD

I knew it was going in Coach.

COACH MARCUS

Confidence is good. But delusion?

That's another story.

JD

I just... I gotta get better. Jason was -

COACH MARCUS

Jason ain't you. You ain't him.

COACH MARCUS (CONT'D) But hey, keep throwing bricks like that, and maybe we can build a new gym.

JD forces a laugh but it stings.

CUT TO:

INT. JD'S BASKETBALL THEMED BEDROOM - NIGHT

SFX: DIEGETIC SOUND OF CRICKETS CHIRPING, WINDOW OPEN

JD stares at a framed photo on his nightstand - him and his older brother (Jason Davis, college basketball star)

SFX: KNOCK ON DOOR, CREAKS OPEN

MOM (O.S.)

You'll be late for school again if you don't sleep.

JD doesn't answer.

MOM (CONT'D)

You don't have to be Jason, baby.

JD finally looks at her. Nods.

JD

Yeah, I know.

He turns away and looks at the ceiling again.

3.

Mom watches him for a moment, then turns off the light in his room.

CLOSE UP: JD's face in the dark.

His eyes don't close.

TITLE: AIRBALL (NO COPYRIGHT RAP PLAYS)

INT. HIGH SCHOOL WEIGHTLIFTING GYM - MORNING

Music revealed to be diegetic from his headphones/speaker.

JD alone, training.

CLOSE UP: Sweat drips

CLOSE UP: Legs shaking during squats

SFX: Diegetic music pauses.

JD sits on the bench between sets, resting, scrolling through Jason's old highlight reels.

He exhales, locks the phone, and stands back up.

SFX: Diegetic music resumes. Back to work.

CLOSE UP: Struggling with bench press

WIDE SHOT: Reveals empty bar

THE END