Impact
Draft Night explores the human experience behind the glitz and glamor of the sports industry. The premise of the story draws inspiration from the notion that young athletes are seemingly bought and sold, reduced to commodities for sale on the auction block.
The film also highlights the crushing burden of high expectations on individuals. We explore the inner world of a young adult athlete striving to single-handedly “save” his family and community, and the toll which the pursuit of that success takes on his personal identity and self-worth.
We’re deeply moved by the growing number of sports superstars courageously speaking out about the prevalence of mental health issues and the need to address them in professional sports.
“As a psychologist serving high school and college ‘elite’ competitive athletes, artists, and scholars, I really appreciate the themes portrayed in Draft Night. I often see the emotional downside of raising young adults who feel like commodities. They often struggle to develop a sense of identity and value beyond the desires and pressures of others.”
-Helen H. Hsu, Psy.D.
“Draft Night not only highlights the story of a young Black Man’s dream, but also allows the audience a peek into the world of mental health through the Black family lens. The rollercoaster of excitement, pressure, anxiety, disappointment, and relief are highlighted through an experience that is all too familiar with the Black community.”
-Katie Ohene- Gambill, Psy.D.
A Word from our Writer
Draft Night is adapted from my one-man show, Shape Shifter. I wanted to write something that would not only showcase my ability as an actor, but deliver a strong message as well. I found the parallels between the infrastructure of American slavery and that of professional sports interesting, and I wanted to present them in a unique and creative manner. To me it’s not about highlighting how corrupt the system is, but more about pointing out the acceptance and apathy of everyone involved.
— Shawn Williams
Mental Health and Young Athletes
Sports superstars, including tennis player Naomi Osaka, gymnast Simone Biles, swimmer Michael Phelps, and NBA player Giannis Antetokounmpo, have increasingly spoken out about the mental health crisis in elite athletics. This film approaches this highly relevant topic through the pressure to enter these elite leagues and teams – a pressure experienced by young amateur athletes, on whose shoulders rest not a team’s hopes for a shiny trophy, but their families’ hopes for a better life.
22-year-old former NBA player Tyrell Terry recently spoke to the New York Times about why he walked away from basketball:
Depression and anxiety have become safer topics in the N.B.A. because of the openness of star players like DeMar DeRozan, Kevin Love and Paul George. The phenomenon reaches across professional sports, with young athletes like the tennis player Naomi Osaka, the swimmer Michael Phelps and the gymnast Aly Raisman talking candidly about their struggles. But few have simply quit their sports completely.
So it was striking when Terry, citing “intrusive thoughts” and anxiety, said he was walking away from the game he had once loved and had been paid millions to play.
“Whether it was all my fault or not, or whether it was all contributed to mental health or not, I would say I failed in the N.B.A.,” Terry said. “I’m OK with that.”
NBA All-Stars Demar DeRozan and Kevin Love have both opened up about mental health and sports:
Whether you’re picked first or undrafted, there should be no failure in sports. We want to thank NBA player Giannis Antetokounmpo for finding the strength to push back against this narrative. And we hope more is done to foster a culture where success in professional sports is defined by resilience and personal growth.