A new sports drama series called The Crossover debuted recently on Disney+. Josh and JB Bell, two brothers, are the centre of the programme, which follows their journey through the highs and lows of their personal and professional lives as they pursue their passion for basketball.
The drama and intense emotions in the Jalyn Hall and Amir O’Neil-led television series instantly captivate viewers. Now, a lot of fans are speculating as to whether The Crossover is based on a real event. Find out by reading on.
Is The Crossover Based on a True Story?
There is no real-life story on which The Crossover is based. Instead, it is based on Kwame Alexander’s book of the same name. The author admitted that parts of the book were influenced by his own experiences. For instance, the writer’s father’s likeness served as a loose inspiration for the book’s (and the show’s) father role.
So as a child, my father would often make comments to me like, “My dad played basketball in the Air Force and in college. He was famous. In an interview, Alexander said, “They called him the Big Al. My dad used to tell me, ‘You can’t know what you don’t know.
“My dad used to constantly throw these things at me as I left for school in the morning or if I erred. I couldn’t comprehend half of them. The Crossover is a book that serves as a type of ode to my father, a song for him, according to him.
What is The Crossover About?
“Through his lyrical poetry, an adult Josh, aka Filthy McNasty, narrates the story of he and his brother’s coming of age, on and off the court, as their former professional basketball player father adjusts to life after basketball, and their mother finally pursues lifelong dreams of her own,” according to the official synopsis for the programme.
Alexander explained the plot of his work, which is set against the backdrop of basketball, by saying that it deals with a lot of emotions. “In the end, this novel is about basketball. But there’s actually a lot more at stake. It deals with the transition from childhood to manhood as well as family, brotherhood, and friendship. According to him, basketball was merely a frame.
Who Stars in The Crossover?
Josh Bell is portrayed in the show by Jalyn Hall, JB Bell by Amir O’Neil, Chuck Bell by Derek Luke, Crystal Bell by Sabrina Revelle, Alexis by Skyla I’Lece, Maya by Deja Monique Cruz, and Vondle by Trevor Raine Bush.
The cast also features Yvonne Senat Jones as Janice, Joel Steingold as Basil St. John, Gabriela Lopez as Future Maya, Himie Freeman as Future Josh, Darone Okolie as Future JB, Johnny Cantley as Future Vondie, and Gabriela Lopez as Future Maya.
The book was published in 2014, and in 2015 it received the Newbery Medal and the Coretta Scott King Award. Together with basketball legend LeBron James, Maverick Carter, Jamal Henderson, Alexander Johnson, Damani Johnson, Jay Marcus, Bob Teitel, and others, Alexander is now an executive producer on the TV show.
