Amar'e Stoudemire, Lupe Fiasco Film 'Little Ballers,’ Announce World TV Premiere On NickToons

New York Knicks power forward Amar'e Stoudemire and rapper Lupe Fiasco teamed up to produce Little Ballers, a documentary highlighting the rise of young athletes as they make their way up the ranks from Amateur Athletic Union play to potential NBA stardom. On Monday, Oct. 6, a representative for the film announced that the documentary will make its world TV debut Nov. 26, during the all-new NickSports block on NickToons at 9:30 p.m.

"The film follows four 11-year-old boys and their legendary coach as they set out to win an AAU National Championship," the film's rep said in a statement. "For these boys, basketball is more than a game — it offers them hope in the form of a bond with a father, a means to stay off the gang-infested streets, a path toward better education and the fulfillment of the American Dream."

Stoudemire said he decided to get involved in the production of the two-hour flick because of the parallels it drew to his life growing up.  

"I wanted to executive produce Little Ballers because I once was a little baller," Stoudemire said, according to allhiphop.com. "It made a major impact on my life, helped me to become a better man and a better leader."

Stoudemire is joined by several other National Basketball Association and Women's National Basketball Association stars who share the same sentiments. Steve Nash, Walt Frazier, Carmelo Anthony, Joakim Noah, Russell Westbrook, Tyson Chandler, J.R. Smith and Chamique Holdsclaw all participated in one-on-one interviews for the film to discuss their involvement in AAU basketball as kids and talk about the impact youth sports had on their lives growing up.

"Youth sports are very important for children — there are so many lessons to learn that impacts their lives forever," Stoudemire said. "Sports help build character, discipline and teamwork, which are all important aspects for the future."