CLEVELAND, July 16,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In a groundbreaking series that
transcends the traditional sports narrative, Pollack Films proudly
presents Hoops Without Borders, a television and
streaming series that captures the heart, soul, and unyielding
spirit of American basketball players carving out new lives on
courts around the globe. Produced by Michael Pollack and ten-time sports Emmy
recipient George Veras, this series
offers a deeply emotional and transformative journey, revealing the
untold stories of players who have embraced the world as their
arena. The pilot episode is in production.
The heart of Hoops Without Borders beats with the
incredible story of Andy and Cindy Bountogianis. Their tireless
dedication has placed 109 American professional basketball players
in leagues across the globe. "This series takes viewers across
countries including Italy,
Greece, Japan, France, and Turkey, through the lives of American
basketball players whose journey transforms them into global
ambassadors," says Mr. Pollack. Each episode is a testament to
their shared mission: to navigate the complexities of cultural
adaptation, professional challenges, and personal growth beyond the
basketball court.
The project features the involvement of two other Emmy winners:
Editor Eric Welshenbaugh, a 2021
Emmy recipient for his work on the Summer Olympics, and
Arthur Allan Seidelman, Pollack
Film's Head of Production and two-time Emmy winner. Mr. Seidelman
adds "Surrounded by the exciting challenge of championship
basketball we see the world through the eyes of dynamic young
athletes testing their skills and expanding their horizons.
Competition leads to friendship and friendship to understanding.
The game of basketball becomes a ticket to the world." Seidelman
also boasts another five Emmy nominations and numerous prestigious
awards, including the Humanitas Award, Peabody Award, Western
Heritage Award, and three Christopher Awards.
At the core of this series is Andy "B" Bountogianis, a man whose
rich Greek American heritage and relentless pursuit of helping
others took him far beyond his familiar streets of Elyria, Ohio. Mr. Bountogianis stated, "These
players are like family to us. For me, it is an honor and privilege
to help them navigate their careers and in doing so they have the
opportunity to experience what the world and their basketball
careers has to offer. Each and every day my responsibility is to
inspire and motivate them to become the best they can
be." With his wife Cindy, they have built a global family of
109 players bound by the love of the game and the adventure of
life. "It is a joy for me to be with Andy as part of the team. I am
in awe of his constant drive, loyalty, integrity and honesty. These
are qualities that you rarely see today. The joy he brings to so
many, to the families, is truly amazing," commented Mrs.
Bountogianis.
Lee Zapis, media and software investor and
Co-Producer/Creator conceived the series concept. "I've
watched Andy and Cindy dedicate every day to making sure
all their players are being taken care of around the world. I
thought these player stories were unique and could be a streaming
series. I've known George's documentary work for decades. I put the
two groups together and I am excited to be part of the project" he
said.
"Hoops Without Borders," shares George Veras, "is more than a sports
documentary. It's a journey of the human spirit, fighting through
adversity, and embracing the world one country at a time. It's
about personal growth, resilience, and the beautiful game that
brings us all together."
Dozens of players' stories form the lifeblood of Hoops
Without Borders, here are a few examples:
- Donta Hall: From the
tight knit community of Luverne, Alabama, to the glamorous courts of
Monaco. While watching his son's
middle school basketball game, Donta's father suffered a fatal
heart attack. It took two years to overcome the grief,
but Donta went on the stardom at the University of Alabama. This journey is a
heartfelt tale of transformation, illustrating how the sport has
shaped him into a beloved figure in a principality of many
cultures.
- Ike Joseph Udanoh: Raised in Detroit's challenging "8 Mile" neighborhood,
Ike faced adversity early on. Abandoned by his father shortly after
birth and later by his mother during his teenage years, he
struggled to hold onto his dreams in the international basketball
scene. Finding himself homeless at a train station in Nuremberg,
Germany, Ike's fortunes changed
when an Army sergeant from his hometown, stationed at Wiesbaden
Army Base, came to his rescue. With her support and the help of
others, Ike returned to the basketball courts. Today, he lives in
Milan, married to an Italian
woman, and cherishes a beautiful daughter, surrounded by the loving
family he always dreamed of having.
- Jordan Morgan: With his
remarkable academic and athletic achievements, Jordan's journey
from the University of Michigan to
international leagues is a testament to love, resilience, and the
enriching experiences shared with his wife, KT. Together, they
capture and share their adventures through an engaging travel
podcast.
- Kosta Koufos: Rooted
deeply in his Greek heritage, Kosta's journey from Canton, Ohio, to the global basketball stage
highlights the unbreakable bond of family and culture, showing how
sport can honor and extend one's roots across continents.
- Jordan Loyd: Jordan's journey, marked by familial
sacrifice and his triumph with the Raptors' NBA Championship team,
explores the high stakes and immense rewards of chasing basketball
dreams across the globe.
These stories, unique yet universally resonant, demonstrate the
expansive influence of basketball. From fostering cross-cultural
connections to inspiring profound personal growth, Hoops
Without Borders captures the essence of the sport's power
to unite and transform lives.
Mr. Pollack adds, "As Pollack Films CEO, I am proud to bring
this series to life. Hoops Without Borders is a
testament to the unifying power of basketball and the human
spirit's capacity to grow, adapt, and thrive all over the world.
It's a series about the game of life, played on the world stage,
where every challenge faced, and every boundary crossed is a step
towards a greater understanding of our shared humanity."
We have successfully completed filming on location in
Europe and North America. Currently, we are in the
process of selecting additional sites across the United States and around the globe to
capture a diverse range of settings and stories.
For media inquiries with the Pollack Film team please contact
Hilary Phelps.
Hilary Phelps
Pollack Films
Hilary@PollackFilms.com
202-360-5591
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