Col drafts autistic N.Y. hoops star
Hoops star drafted
April 19, 2006
Columbia Pictures has acquired the life rights to Jason McElwain, an autistic teenager who morphed from an unknown basketball benchwarmer into an international media sensation after hitting six three-pointers in the final four minutes of a high school game. Laura Ziskin is producing through her Sony-based shingle, while Earvin "Magic" Johnson and Mary Martin are executive producing.
The Rochester, N.Y., senior, nicknamed "J-Mac" by his friends, never made the varsity team because of his size and instead served as its student manager. But in the waning minutes of the final game of the regular season in February, coach Jim Johnson rewarded McElwain for his dedication and attitude by putting him into the game.
McElwain's first three-point attempt was an air ball, which he followed with a missed layup. He then scored six three-pointers, his last one the final shot of the game -- a feat that basketball great Johnson said would be nearly impossible for a seasoned pro to accomplish, nevermind a high schooler not accustomed to playing time.
"When I first saw the highlights on ESPN and then heard Jason's backstory, I said, 'Man, I've got to be a part of this.' This story touched me, my kids, my wife," Magic Johnson said. "When we go to the movies, this is the type of story we want to see."
Sources say McElwain's inspirational story sparked a heated bidding war, which came down to Columbia, the Weinstein Co., New Line Cinema and Universal Pictures/Imagine Entertainment.
Matt Tolmach brought the material into Sony and will oversee for the studio.
McElwain's feat quickly snowballed from a local story to a media frenzy, with footage of his scoring outburst making its way to ESPN's "SportsCenter" and ABC's "Good Morning America."
"Forget sports for a moment -- you have to be ready for your moment," said Magic Johnson, who also executive produced the hoops drama "Passing Glory." "This story represents everything I talk about as a motivational speaker. You have to be prepared for your one chance."
As part of the deal, Columbia also acquired life rights to McElwain's family as well as coach Johnson, who was represented by attorney Mark Costello. Attorneys Gino Nitti and John Pericak repped McElwain and his family. Nitti will serve as a consultant on the film.
WMA brokered the deal on behalf of all parties.
The Rochester, N.Y., senior, nicknamed "J-Mac" by his friends, never made the varsity team because of his size and instead served as its student manager. But in the waning minutes of the final game of the regular season in February, coach Jim Johnson rewarded McElwain for his dedication and attitude by putting him into the game.
McElwain's first three-point attempt was an air ball, which he followed with a missed layup. He then scored six three-pointers, his last one the final shot of the game -- a feat that basketball great Johnson said would be nearly impossible for a seasoned pro to accomplish, nevermind a high schooler not accustomed to playing time.
"When I first saw the highlights on ESPN and then heard Jason's backstory, I said, 'Man, I've got to be a part of this.' This story touched me, my kids, my wife," Magic Johnson said. "When we go to the movies, this is the type of story we want to see."
Sources say McElwain's inspirational story sparked a heated bidding war, which came down to Columbia, the Weinstein Co., New Line Cinema and Universal Pictures/Imagine Entertainment.
Matt Tolmach brought the material into Sony and will oversee for the studio.
McElwain's feat quickly snowballed from a local story to a media frenzy, with footage of his scoring outburst making its way to ESPN's "SportsCenter" and ABC's "Good Morning America."
"Forget sports for a moment -- you have to be ready for your moment," said Magic Johnson, who also executive produced the hoops drama "Passing Glory." "This story represents everything I talk about as a motivational speaker. You have to be prepared for your one chance."
As part of the deal, Columbia also acquired life rights to McElwain's family as well as coach Johnson, who was represented by attorney Mark Costello. Attorneys Gino Nitti and John Pericak repped McElwain and his family. Nitti will serve as a consultant on the film.
WMA brokered the deal on behalf of all parties.
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