There are various definitions of streetball. Some see it as pulling up with friends at a park; others define it by flashy moves or the AND1 legacy. Once dismissed by NBA execs and viewed as going against the grain, the game has evolved into a thriving entertainment outlet with real opportunity. For many, stepping onto the court is an escape from reality.
So, how would you define it?
What is Streetball?
West Coast Squad member Tor’i “Bionic” Brooks put it best: “Streetball is basketball to its highest poetic form.”
Founded in 2005, Ballislife is more than a media outlet. With over 24 million followers across social platforms, the brand has grown into a leader in streetball, raising the culture’s profile, telling its stories, and building its popularity. By highlighting the movement, Ballislife continues to showcase basketball opportunities that go far beyond the NBA.
With streetball at its peak on platforms like YouTube, legends are being born outside the traditional spotlight. This digital world has paved the way for a new 4-part documentary series sharing the untold stories of streetball’s biggest stars.
Directed by Janine Sides and sponsored by Ballislife, the series captures the lives of top ballers—including the West Coast Squad vs. East Coast Squad showdown.
Episode 1: How to Watch
With Episode 1 of Streetball set to drop on Saturday, Nov. 29 at 6 p.m. PST, each of the four episodes will release on Saturdays and will be available exclusively to YouTube members.Four additional episodes will be launched at a later date.
Episode 1: November 29, 6 p.m. PST
Episode 2: December 6
Episode 3: December 13
Episode 4: December 20
Don’t miss your chance to watch this incredible high energy series showcasing your favorite hoopers within the space.
Director Janine Sides Captures the Heart of Streetball
Having premiered at the Hollywood Reel Independent Film Festival, the four-part series documentary officially debuted in July 2025 at the NBA Summer League Festival in Las Vegas. Seeking a broader audience, the film was later showcased at the Rhode Island’s Flickr Film Festival and the Toronto International Nollywood Film Festival. The film is currently featured at the International Sport Film Festival in Italy.
A two-time Best Cinematography nominee and winner of the 2015 Best Comedy/Drama award for Lucky Day at the LA Independent Film Festival, Sides is a well-renowned cinematographer and director whose work includes projects with HBO, Apple TV, Google, Amazon, NIKE, and Paramount Pictures. A former collegiate basketball player herself, Sides earned a journalism degree and later an MFA in film and TV production from USC. She’s also a member of the International Cinematographers Guild.
Sides began her creative journey at just sixteen and brings a strong cinematic voice to the series. She creatively captures not only the East vs. West rivalry but also the deeper stories, struggles, and cultures that shape the movement.
West Coast vs. East Coast Squads
West
- Marcus Bell “Monstar”
- Tor’i “Bionic’” Brooks
- Brandon “Body Bag” Moss
- Ty Glover
- Frank Nitty
- Cezar “Ceez the moment” Guerrero
East
- Dajour “Deebones” Joseph
- Duke Skywalka
- Malcom “Money Malc” Stevenson
- Timothy “Clamp God” Carter
- Nasir Core
- Big E
- Austin “A. Milly” Mills
Episode 1 Highlights
The first 40-minute episode sets the stage for the documentary series, showcasing culture, personal stories, and the East vs. West rivalry. It breaks down the entertainment and raw talent that define streetball while emphasizing Ballislife’s role in growing the sport.
For some, it’s about facing adversity. For others, proving themselves is the top goal. At the end of the day, money is on the line, and everyone is trying to go viral.
Will the West defend its title in part 2? Or will the East be out for blood? This episode breaks down where both squads are after the first matchup and their strengths and weaknesses. Episode 1 concludes with 120 days remaining until the East and West meet again.
Streetball Culture vs. Professional Basketball
Throughout the episode, viewers see the clear difference between streetball and organized basketball. On the blacktop, there’s an absence of coaches, strict rules, and competition is physical and raw. Takeovers often feature intense, physical gameplay, trash talk, and social media buzz.
The sport is an inclusive space where anyone can pull up and play. It’s an area that’s relatable, and fans contribute with energy, enthusiasm, and entertainment. As Frank Nitty quoted, “You get to go out there and be free.” It’s not about dropping 50, media pressers, or coaches; hoopers can simply ball out in the purest form.
As longtime streetball standout Grayson “The Professor” Boucher says, “Some of the most talented players never make the league… not because they can’t hoop, but because life off the court holds them back.”
Players like Big E, Monstar, and Bodybag all show how basketball serves as both an escape and a means of personal growth. Whether they’ve suffered from injury, incarceration, anger, or transportation issues, there’s a place for everyone on the court.
An alternative career path, it’s meant for players with the highest level of talent but can’t make it in conventional basketball.
Ballislife’s Impact
Whether through live events or takeovers, Ballislife fosters community, bringing people together and highlighting their talent. CEO and Co-Founder of Ballislife, Matt Rodriguez, has always been about acceptance.
“Basketball is a place that is respected enough around the world that as long as you can pick up a ball and shoot it, it doesn’t matter what background you come from, what language you speak… your language is basketball”, said Rodriguez.
It all started when Ballislife started attending local outdoor courts before the pandemic. Since the brand has expanded well outside of LA.
And that’s what the foundation of Ballislife is all about. Basketball doesn’t discriminate—it’s safe, heard, and entertaining.
“Ballislife gives everyone an opportunity to come out and feel and look like a local celebrity.”— Marcus Capers (East Coast Prospect Player)
Players Credit Ballislife for Life-Changing Opportunities
From a mix-tape outlet to a trusted media source, Ballislife has morphed into a content creation powerhouse. Leaders in the space, Ballislife content has reached over 35 billion views across major linear, social, and connected TV platforms. With a strong focus on youth and high school basketball, they’ve helped tell the early stories of many of today’s top college and NBA stars.
Building on its success in traditional basketball coverage, Ballislife now amplifies the space through social media, creating new opportunities for players to get noticed.
Not only does the brand offer a wide variety of exposure and networking opportunities, but it also gives players an income.
“I’m making money, I’m making good money, shoutout to Ballislife,” said Timothy “Clamp God” Carter.
Players like Dajour “Deebones” Joseph feel that Ballislife can offer more opportunities than traditional leagues like the G League. In 2025, streetball is booming, and social media ensures that the younger generation will be influenced by these players!
Through viral clips, YouTube videos, and PPV, increasing social media presence attracts more eyes, opportunities, and interest that enables greater connection with audiences and fans.
As for Ballislife, Rodriguez credits persistent faces, events, and takeovers for their considerable amount of growth within the community.
“We’ve changed the space as it is, said Rodriguez. “Now you have people wanting to be a part of the same types of games that we’ve created.”
East vs. West Coast Rivalry
Additionally, this episode closely follows the fierce rivalry between the West and East Coast squads, as well as the challenges they face on and off the blacktop.
Ballislife follows hoopers who may be relaxed off the court, but are adversaries on the asphalt.
“We follow ex-pros, college stars, and semi-pros who’ve turned setbacks into street fame—and brand power, said director Janine Sides. “The challenges that pushed them away from their professional dreams have, for some, become profound life lessons. For others, these challenges and decisions continue to shadow their journey, complicating their quest for success.”
Episode 1 recaps the very first showdown between the two squads. Arguably the most popular event in the space, the West famously crushed the East in their debut and walked away with a $10,000 prize. With nearly 1,000 fans in attendance, the crowd was five to six people deep!
Brooks called the event “the most anticipated matchup in the space” and the biggest game they’ve ever played. With Frank Nitty, Marcus Bell, Ty Glover, and Brandon “Body Bag” Moss, the West was absolutely stacked.
This episode also sets the stage for the East Coast comeback. Following the loss, the East Coast Squad revamped their roster, and episode 1 dinto the changes and challenges they face on the road to redemption.
East Coast Struggles
Following a belt-to-a** loss to the West, the East needed to overhaul their roster, which came with its challenges. A significant portion of this episode examines the lack of chemistry within the group, along with internal and roster changes. While traveling isn’t an issue, success depends on building trust and cohesion.
Rodriguez emphasizes the East wants to prove themselves to win. But talent alone isn’t enough. Success also depends on interpersonal skills, even something as simple as a team dinner can make all the difference.
In this segment, we learned that the squad brought in Big E, who stands 6’3″ and weighs 330 lb. While reliable transportation was an issue, half the fans found him entertaining, while the other half grew frustrated.
In reality, the East needed a body that could keep up with the pace, provide a strong interior presence, hustle, and grab boards.
Ultimately, the team decided to move on from Big E because his play style didn’t fit the team’s needs. That’s when Nasir Core was brought in. Nasir’s arrival gave them a big, strong guard. However, the team dynamic shifted, and not everyone adjusted smoothly.
As Ballislife co-owner Arek Kissoyan points out, time is of the essence. Heading into the rematch, did the addition of Nas hurt the ego of the preexisting team, or will it help them if healthy? Will ball-dominant players be enough to beat the West?
Who’s really the new leader, Nas or Duke?
As the episode unfolds, Ballislife Security Lead Darius calls out the lack of camaraderie holding the East back. While not all players are geographically close, he points out that kinship is what made the San Antonio Spurs and Boston Celtics flourish as championship teams.
Looking Ahead: Episode 2
It’s clear the West is stacked with an IQ in Nitty, Shooter in Ceez. Winning a decisive 3-0 in the first matchup, there are increased expectations for the West Squad heading into the rematch.
Confident yet unified, the West acknowledges the East has chemistry issues. While this team is a well-oiled machine on paper, it comes with some flaws.
Riddled by vulnerability, personal struggles, and aggression, Episode 1 follows Marcus, who nearly walked out and quit. For Ballislife and Matt Rodriguez, it’s all about moving forward, communication, awareness, and showing growth.
“We are all human, and we can all make mistakes…as long as we can fix those mistakes and move forward as a unit— that’s what’s important.”—Matt Rodriguez, CEO & Co-Founder of Ballislife
Will The East Get Redemption?
At the end of the day, these guys may be hoopers, but they are human, regular people. Some have families, while others are struggling with past trauma. Ultimately, it comes down to accountability. With Ballislife, there’s a level of deep understanding between the company and the players.
At the end of the episode, Rodriguez emphasizes the expectations as a streetball hooper for Ballislife. It comes with professionalism and a team player mentality, which goes beyond the entertainment value. When it comes down to East vs. West, part 2, he’ll believe it will be a massive event, and having money on the line will change everything.
120 days until game 2, the East is focused on avoiding past mistakes. For the West, there are high expectations to repeat. Tune in to the next episode, which will lead up to the big game. Who do you think will win the rematch?
Follow Sara Jane Gamelli on X: @SaraJGamelli.
