"Shooting Stars" brings LeBron James' high school story to Hollywood

• The movie is directed by Chris Robinson ("ATL") and stars Portland high school basketball star Marquis "Mookie" Cook as James and Wood Harris ("The Wire") as coach Dru Joyce.

Flashback: In the early 2000s, James and his teammates — Willie McGee, Romeo Travis, Sian Cotton and Dru Joyce III — shot to national fame, winning three Ohio state championships in four years.

Between the lines: "Shooting Stars" is based on a 2009 book of the same name, co-authored by James and Buzz Bissinger.

• Bissinger, best known for writing the book "Friday Night Lights," worked with James to tell the story from the basketball star's perspective.

What they're saying: "It's a story about five kids who committed to each other and accomplished a dream," Bissinger tells Axios.

• "It wasn't just James. The other kids and the coaches were important as well. They all contribute equally."

💭 Troy's thought bubble: The connection between the players is the beating heart of "Shooting Stars."

• It's not as gritty a movie as "Friday Night Lights," but it's certainly uplifting.