Watchlist: ‘Rez Ball’

By Kamiah Koch

Social media/digital journalist

From the co-creator of “Reservation Dogs,” Sterlin Harjo, and with LeBron James as a producer, a new movie called “Rez Ball” has made its way to Netflix, a membership-based entertainment streaming service.

The movie follows a Native American basketball team from New Mexico called the Chuska Warriors, who continue to play the game after their star player died by suicide.

“It’s time to rely on our traditions,” the assistant-coach said. “You descend from warriors.”

The trailer shows the team preparing to play by smudging sage and shooting hoops on their reservation.

The tension builds as they are preparing for a championship game against the Santa Fe Catholic High School team. To help give them an advantage, the Chuska Warriors decide to call their plays in the Najavo language, so the other team can’t anticipate their moves.

“We are going to do what we do best,” their coach said. “Rez ball.”

The story is inspired by pieces written by Michael Powell and the real-life experience growing up on the reservation, a TIME magazine article stated.

If you would like to watch the trailer for yourself, you can find it at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plUsLi3elDg or watch the entire movie on Netflix.