LOS ANGELES, CA, June 8, 2004 – Fader Films’ and Kicked Down Productions’ award-winning documentary, Hooked: The Legend of Demetrius “Hook” Mitchell will make its world television premiere on NBA TV, the league’s 24-hour channel, in a special broadcast presented by Reebok Monday, June 14 at 8 PM ET.

Watch the 'Hooked' movie trailer: 56k | 300k
Hooked (2003) traces the life of Demetrius Mitchell, who, at 5-feet-9, built his legendary playground status by 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.

• NBA All-Star Jason Kidd of the New Jersey Nets: “Hook could jump over a building. He was by far the best player to come out of Oakland. There is no comparison to me, Gary Payton, Antonio Davis, Greg Foster or Brian Shaw.”

• NBA All-Star Gary Payton of the Los Angeles Lakers: “Hook was better than me…he was better than everybody. He would jump over trucks to win slam dunk contests.”

• Three-time NBA champion Brian Shaw: “Hook could handle the ball with the Marburys and Iversons of the world. And he had the pure competitiveness of a Michael Jordan.”

But while childhood friends went on to celebrated NBA careers, Mitchell ended up imprisoned. From the drug and crime-ravaged streets of West Oakland to the California Men’s Penal Colony, “Hook” made all the wrong choices. His story has had a profound impact on the lives of countless people who have been stirred by this poignant documentary.

Hooked will be released on DVD by Razor & Tie in October 2004 and has previewed at more than 20 film festivals in the U.S., including the TriBeca Film Festival and garnered awards in 2003 ranging from “Best Documentary” to bronze medal at the Rhode Island Film Festival, San Francisco Black Film Festival, San Francisco World Film Festival and Worldfest Houston. For more details, go to www.hookmitchell.com.

This is the premiere of an original documentary on the NBA TV Screening Room series, which has previously aired Emmy Award-winning films Whatever Happened to Micheal Ray? and NBA at 50.

Hooked is directed and produced by Michael Skolnik and William O’Neill. Rob Stone and Jon Cohen also serve as producers. Cinematographers include Matthew Akers, Mark Benjamin and William O’Neill. The film’s co producer and editor is Martha Skolnik.