‘Hustle’: Adam Sandler’s New Film Puts Comedian Up Against Real-Life NBA Players

It should surprise no one that Adam Sandler is great in yet another film with a touch of drama. And while 2019’s acclaimed Uncut Gems has more grit (and 2002’s Punch-Drunk Love more rage), Hustle, in which Sandler plays down-on-his-luck basketball scout Stanley Sugerman, is a feel-good sports movie for the whole family — basketball fan or not.

(Credit: Netflix)

Numerous real-life NBA players fill out the cast, starting with Utah Jazz forward Juancho Hernangómez as a 22-year-old Spanish street-ball phenom who may be Stanley’s best chance to make something more of his life.

“Sandler wanted to act against a real player,” says director Jeremiah Zagar. “A lot of moments you see are improv between the two of them. And Juancho would make Adam laugh out loud.”

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Another plus for the film, co-produced by Sandler and NBA great LeBron James: Queen Latifah as Stanley’s wife, who Zagar says was cast on Sandler’s suggestion. “I was a hundred percent on board. Who doesn’t love Queen Latifah?”

Hustle, Movie Premiere, Wednesday, June 8, Netflix

From TV Guide Magazine

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