A docu-series on the life of the basketball star Makur Maker is on the way.
It was recently announced that Big Man on Campus has been commissioned by Apple TV + and will follow Maker as he navigates his freshman year of college during the pandemic and the Black Lives Matter movement.
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In a press release from Apple TV +, the purpose of the show is described:
Big Man on Campus is the story of a historic moment in America told through the prism of a young athlete with the power to create change. In 2020, a year marked by social unrest, basketball sensation, NBA prospect and top NCAA rookie Makur Maker made the groundbreaking decision to play varsity basketball for college. Howard in supporting historically black colleges and universities rather than joining one of the many top-tier programs giving him a full run.
“Balancing the extraordinary pressures both on and off the pitch, and with the eyes of the nation focused on her every move, Maker’s journey – from fleeing war-torn South Sudan as a child to the movement that he set off today – put a face. on America’s socio-political complexities during this unprecedented time.
Maker, 20, from South Sudan to Australia, stands at 6’11 and said he chose Howard the historically black university because he wanted to change the culture.
Makur brand
Image: director / producer Seth Gordon
“I never thought this news, which I tweeted last Friday, would be so shocking. I was surprised that the news hits so hard. I only received love from everywhere, and I feel like the whole world is behind my decision and the support has been tremendous, he wrote in a column last July for The Undefeated.
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He adds that his trainer at the time suggested he think of Howard. He said learning from famous HBCU alumni was also the reason for his decision. His two favorite actors, Anthony Anderson and Chadwick Boseman, both went to Howard. (Boseman graduated, Anderson says he’s still making progress to complete his degree.)
“The reason for my decision? I dare to be different and still see myself as a leader, ”Maker wrote. “I want to change the current culture and climate that has kept five star athletes like me from seeing HBCUs as a viable choice.
I don’t know why it’s been over 40 years since not even a five star basketball player in the United States decided to play basketball at an HBCU. But I do know that in this Black Lives Matter movement that has empowered and brought together many different people across the country and around the world, it won’t be another 40 years before this happens again.
Sadly, Maker’s Howard hoop dreams didn’t go as planned, so it’ll be interesting to see how the documentary covers it.
The project will be produced by Seth Gordon, the director known for Undefeated, a documentary about the Manassas Tigers football team in Memphis, Tennessee, which won an Oscar for Best Documentary in 2012.
Play A, Boardwalk Pictures and Sony Pictures Television will produce the series.
The athlete also shared his enthusiasm for the project on social media.
He tweeted: “Can’t wait for the world to see it! #MakerMob. “
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