In 1950, Nat “Sweetwater” Clifton became the first Black man to sign an NBA contract, breaking the longstanding color barrier and changing the game of basketball forever. Despite his undeniable impact on sports, Clifton’s story and faith’s fundamental role in his career and life have remained unknown. However, “Sweetwater,” a new movie starring Jim Caviezel, Everett Osborne, and Richard Dreyfuss, brings his story to life like never before.

Producer Darren Moorman told The Christian Post, “Everyone knew Jackie Robinson, but no one knew Sweetwater. We figured now was the time to tell his story.” The film, written and directed by Martin Guigui, follows the true story of the Basketball Hall of Famer’s journey to making NBA history with the New York Knicks. Osborne stars as Clifton, the star of the Harlem Globetrotters, who, under the watchful eye of coach and owner Abe Saperstein, plays exhibition games around the country, making $10,000.

Clifton’s flashy playing style and talent caught the eye of New York Knicks executive Ned Irish and head coach Joe Lapchick. In 1950, the Globetrotters sold Clifton’s contract for $12,500 to the Knicks, making Clifton the first Black player ever to have an NBA contract. A memorable scene at Madison Square Garden in 1949 sets the tone for the movie, a face-off between the NBA champions, the Minnesota Lakers and the Globetrotters. The Globetrotters’ win solidifies their talent, but racial barriers stop them from proper recognition within the NBA.

Osborne, a former professional basketball player, said, “Playing basketball in 2023 is totally different from playing in 1950 and totally different from growing up in the ’20s and ’30s like Sweetwater and playing during that time.” Through flashbacks, viewers see the challenges Clifton overcame to succeed. Born in Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1922, Clifton was raised in poverty. He picks so much cotton with his sharecropping parents that his hands bleed. He also faces constant racism. In one scene, a bigoted gas station owner tries to scare the Black Globetrotters away from his gas station by waving a shotgun.

Clifton also witnessed the horror of war, serving in the United States Army for three years and fighting in Europe during World War II. The film also discusses how Clifton’s faith helped him persevere despite challenges. In one scene, his mother is shown instilling in him a sense of God-given worth: “You were made for a higher purpose,” she said.

Osborne, a Christian himself, told The Christian Post, “Whether you play sports or not, I think there is a divine purpose, and God built us for something greater than what we’re doing, some higher purpose.” Moorman and Osborne emphasized the importance of recognizing the sacrifices and risks taken during those times to pave the way for positive change. “Sweetwater” is rated PG-13.