Set to premiere at DOC NYC, “Life Without Basketball” offers an intimate look into the triumphs and struggles of Bliqis Abdul-Qaadir, a record-breaking basketball player from Springfield Massachusetts. She made history when she became the first Division I basketball player to play wearing a hijab, but now the burgeoning star — who stands at just 5’2 — has come to a crossroads. A FIBA uniform (International Basketball Federation) rule ends her chances of playing professionally, and Abdul-Qaadir is forced to consider her life — and identity — outside of basketball. The doc sees the trailblazer exploring her faith as a Muslim-American and fighting for the right to step onto the court.
In our exclusive clip of the film, Abdul-Qaadir coaches Muslim girls. teaching them the fundamentals of basketball. By her own account, she’s not “trying to mold them into super athletes or super basketball players.” Instead, she’s drilling in the importance of self-esteem. “Be confident in who you are,” she says. “It doesn’t matter that you look different.”
Directed by Tim O’Donnell and Jon Mercer, “Life Without Basketball” debuts at DOC NYC on November 10.
