In the words of the Inside The NBA crew, Mac McClung “saved the dunk contest” last weekend. This week, Bloom Li is taking dunking to a new level as the star of a new Disney+ film, Chang Can Dunk.
In this kid-friendly film, Li stars as Chang, a young kid at Cresthill High School with a love for basketball. However, his love for basketball seemingly is put to the test when the star of the Cresthilll High School basketball team, Matt, tries to impress Chang’s crush, Kristy, by dunking on an opposing player during a game. At a party soon thereafter, Matt and Chang come to blows and the high school basketball star makes fun of Chang for not being able to dunk himself before pushing him into a nearby pool. Video of the embarrassing ordeal goes viral and Chang attempts to bounce back by betting Matt that he’ll be able to dunk later in the semester. As the sideline observer works to become a slam dunk champion, he documents his transformation, gaining the support of his classmates and even Jay Williams on First Take. However, one question remains. Will he be able to dunk and win the bet with Matt?
“This movie is my love letter to basketball and about how it helped me better understand family, friendship and the Asian American/immigrant experience,” Chang Can Dunk Director Jingyi Shao said, per Shadow & Act.
“About growing up and taking responsibility even when the odds are against you, and about learning to believe in yourself and breakthrough not only the barriers set by others but more importantly, the barriers set by yourself.”
Li will take on the lead role of Chang while Dexter Darden, Ben Wang, Zoe Renee, Mardy Ma and Chase Liefield round out the cast. Rishi Rajani, Lena Waithe and Brad Weston will also serve as producers. Before Chang Can Dunk arrives on March 10, 2023, check out the trailer below.
