{"id":72385,"date":"2011-10-20T08:11:50","date_gmt":"2011-10-20T15:11:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.shockya.com\/news\/?p=72385"},"modified":"2011-10-20T08:11:50","modified_gmt":"2011-10-20T15:11:50","slug":"elevate-images-and-trailer-show-west-africas-top-young-basketball-players-in-action","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.shockya.com\/news\/2011\/10\/20\/elevate-images-and-trailer-show-west-africas-top-young-basketball-players-in-action\/","title":{"rendered":"Elevate Images And Trailer Show West Africa's Top Young Basketball Players In Action"},"content":{"rendered":"

NBA lockout got you down? Don’t worry; you can still have some basketball in your life thanks to the upcoming documentary Elevate<\/I>. The film focuses on four students at the SEEDS Academy in Dakar, Senegal, an institution that caters to West Africa’s most talented basketball players. In the case of Elevate<\/I>‘s stars, they’re the best of the best and the school honors their talent with scholarships to United States prep schools.<\/p>\n

The piece follows the players over the course of four years, partially in West Africa and then some in the US, and provides a look at what these incredibly tall players have to face in their effort to make it to the NBA. Even with their immense ability on the court, they’ve still got to learn English, fit in with their peers and conquer driver’s ed.<\/p>\n

Elevate<\/I> arrives at New York City\u2019s AMC Empire 25 on October 21st, and, to get you ready for the big game, we\u2019ve got the film\u2019s trailer and a slew of stills to share. Check it all out below.<\/p>\n

\"Elevate\"<\/a>
Aziz and Assane (l-to-r) reflect<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Elevate\"<\/a>
A scene from the wall of the SEEDS Academy in Dakar, Senegal<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Elevate\"<\/a>
Assane takes a break in a scene from ELEVATE<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Elevate\"<\/a>
Assane takes a break in a scene from ELEVATE<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Elevate\"<\/a>
Aziz, Byago, Dethie, and Assane (l-to-r) in a scene from ELEVATE<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Elevate\"<\/a>
Assane takes a shot in a scene from ELEVATE<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Elevate\"<\/a>
SEEDS students visiting the beach decide to improvise a workout.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Elevate\"<\/a>
Students at the SEEDS Academy in Dakar, Senegal gather for one last scrimmage before the sun goes down<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Elevate\"<\/a>
A student is ready to get going at the SEEDS Academy in Dakar, Senegal.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Elevate\"<\/a>
Aziz stands significantly taller than his fellow students on the first day of school in a scene from ELEVATE<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Elevate\"<\/a>
Aziz stands significantly taller than his fellow students in a scene from ELEVATE<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Elevate\"<\/a>
A student practices at the SEEDS Academy in Dakar, Senegal<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Elevate\"<\/a>
Assane poses for the camera.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Elevate\"<\/a>
Aziz stands significantly taller than his fellow students in a scene from ELEVATE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Elevate\"<\/a>
Byago (far left), Dethie (rear), Assane (front), and Aziz (far right) relax with a video game.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

All photos courtesy of Variance Films\/Sharp 7.<\/I><\/p>\n