Hooked - The Legend of Demetrius "Hook" Mitchell (2003)

"Hooked" is a compelling and artful documentary by filmmakers Michael Skolnik and William O’Neill, which traces the life of Demetrius Mitchell, who, at 5-feet-9, built his legendary playground status by several public exhibits of his extraordinary talent, such as jumping over the top of a Volkswagen car and slam dunking a basketball. He is considered by several NBA All-Stars to be the greatest player to never reach the NBA, due to extraordinary circumstances, drug addiction and unfortunate life choices. "Hook" Mitchell grew up playing ball with childhood friends Gary Payton of the Los Angeles Lakers and Jason Kidd of the New Jersey Nets Unlike his peers, Hook lived in an unstable environment, lacked guidance and made an endless number of wrong choices. He was heavily influenced by the drug and crime-ravaged streets of West Oakland which led him to the California Men’s Penal Colony instead of the NBA. While under the influence of drugs, he was arrested and imprisoned for holding up a Blockbuster Video with a water gun. His story has had a profound impact on the lives of countless people who have been stirred by this poignant documentary.

Not only for basketball fans

I bought this movie because of how big a fan I am of basketball and my interest in athletes. After watching it I realized that just about anyone would be interested in it. Basketball coaches sending a message to their players, basketball fans, parents or teachers teaching kids about drugs and life on the streets, and more. This is a great movie and teaches a great lesson about life. I would recommend this to be shown to students in school. October 9, 2007

NOT just a REVIEW but a WITNESS!!!

From the first time I heard of this DVD being on the market, I knew I had to have it. Not only becuase of the LOVE I have for street basketball (growing up in San Fran & Oakland), but because of witnessing HOOK'S ability to turn a game around with ONE THUNDEROUS SLAM. I remember playing for Merrit College and Hook was playing at Contra Costa Community College, we were away up in Modesto in a tourny. Contra Costa played was the game before, and while we were in the locker room awaiting our game; coach told us to peak out to see how much time was left. As I cracked opened the door, the opposing team was on a fastbreak going in for what everyone thought was a sure layup; from the free throw line HOOK takes a leap (vertically) and GLASSES the shot at the top of the square of the backboard. This video surely displays talent and the evidence of how the involvement of streetlife and drug related issues can take a talent such as HOOK'S and bury a childhood dream. I mean you would hear stories of how Coach Don Nelson (for the Golden State Warriors at the time) wanted to sign HOOK to a 10 day contract for the AllStar weekend just so he could pair up against his "Airness" himself to see who would actually win. This is a "GREAT VIDEO", I recomend this video to every child looking for direction. March 3, 2005

I Was There

Demetrius Hook Mitchell was better than Gary Payton or J Kidd!!!

I saw him play for our rival high school (McClymonds High School), when he was 18 and at the height or his powers. This is a guy who could shake a Gary Payton at the top of the key, and then dunk over a 7 footer in the key (Jazz/Lakers/Bulls center Greg Foster, who played on Paytons high school team). His game was athletic, but it wasn't as street as you would think.

The tragedy of the story was that even then with all of Hook's skill, he wasn't really pressed about going on to college. He had a reprutation on the street, and that was all that mattered to him at the time.

I reccomend this DVD to any coach who needs to get the point across to his kids that talent isn't everything. October 29, 2004

Great DVD

This was a great DVD. From all the highlights of him jumping over cars and his great athletic skills its so sad they he fell to his path of drugs. The odds were against him with no parents no positive role models. This DVD is more about basketball its about what happens to people in life who have no guidance. After all the years of abuse and loosing his teeth the talent is still there. I was amazed at how a guy can do drugs for so long and still do dunks off the backboard and 360's at the age of like 34. If he made it to the league i don't know how good he could have been because there have not been to many point guards his size that have lasted long but by watching some of his highlights he could have had a solid run. Some guys were quoted as saying he was better than Kidd and Payton two hall of famers. I might disagree with that cause you just never know how much of a structured game he had. Being a playground guy and playing in a NBA environment is two different things so you just never know. Hopefully now that he is out he can be a great role model to the kids in the community and stay out of those Oakland spots that he hung out in. October 24, 2004

Someone needs to get this guy an NBA contract

Payton and Kidd talk this guy up like he's the greatest. The documentary is great. Had this guy made it in the NBA, this is the kind of story that you'd see prior to a nationally televised game. A true basketball talent that just made some wrong choices in life. Check this DVD out so you can tell people you heard of this guy way before everyone starts talking about him. October 21, 2004

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