Every time Kentucky basketball was referenced in the movie "Hustle"

Netflix’s Hustle is an incredible sports movie — easily one of the best I’ve seen. Adam Sandler has now played the feature role in two of my favorite flicks that I’ve watched over the last few years, the other being Uncut Gems. Admittedly, I watch like, maybe three new movies every year. I am the furthest thing from a cinephile and am most certainly not a critic. But Hustle and Uncut Gems were especially fun to watch, particularly Hustle, which really tugged at my basketball heartstrings.

Sandler plays an international scout for the Philadelphia 76ers by the name of Stanley Sugerman, who has been in the NBA for 30 years and now travels the world in search of the franchise’s next potential draft pick. While making a pitstop in Spain, he eventually stumbles upon Bo Cruz (played by Utah Jazz forward Juancho Hernangomez), a unicorn-like prospect who daylights as a construction worker, and brings him to the United States for the NBA Combine. You can probably guess how the rest of the movie goes. There are ups, there are downs, but it all works out in the end.

I’ll probably watch it again, and I don’t do that with many movies.

Hustle was made even more interesting by the many references to Kentucky basketball throughout the nearly two-hour film. My inquiring eye caught at least five instances where the Wildcats (or a former player) were brought up in some capacity. Spoiler alert: It’s mostly Tyrese Maxey.

Tyrese Maxey name drop (~00:04:30)

The very first Kentucky reference (and I’m using that term loosely) is when one-time Wildcat point guard, Tyrese Maxey, was name-dropped not even five minutes into the movie. Stanley Sugerman begins the movie on a tour across the globe looking for a potential 76ers draftee. He makes a stop in Germany to watch a player who goes by Hass (played by Orlando Magic center Mo Wagner), where someone is trying to pitch Hass to Stanley and the Sixers. That person mentions Maxey after Joel Embiid, saying that with Hass they could form a dynasty in Philly.

Random person: “Stanley, you know how many scouts have come to see Haas play? We would love to see him go to the Sixers. Embiid, Maxey, Harris, Haas… Dynasty, no?”

My guess would be that this movie was shot during the Ben Simmons saga and before the 76ers traded for James Harden, so Harden would have been mentioned too if the scene were to happen again, but it was still pretty cool to hear Maxey included in that company. He was even listed before his 76ers teammate Tobias Harris, who has been in the league for 10 years (but is also a former Tennessee Volunteer). A pretty cool nod for Maxey.

Bonus Kentucky reference! Early in the movie, Stanley is constantly eating various fast food during his stops around the world. One of his choices along the way was some delicious Kentucky Fried Chicken.

Maxey makes his first appearance (~00:16:25)

Maxey’s first on-camera cameo appearance happens 16 minutes into the movie during a practice drill with Hass (Stanley didn’t want to bring Hass over to the US, but was overruled by nepotism at the top of the 76ers front office). Stanley is going over how to defend a player in the post with Hass, explaining the proper technique with the young prospect, before Maxey, who is standing just outside of the drill, chimes in with his only line of the movie.

Stanley: “No, can’t have your arm straight like that. Put your forearm into T’s (Tobias) back, all right? Dig it right in there, okay? You decide where you want him to.”

Tyrese: “Like Jrue Holiday bro.”

Ah yes, just like Jrue Holiday, bro.

It was kinda funny to hear Maxey say that the first time, but it was a simple line and his voice made it into the movie. A success, if you ask me. Also, Holiday, who is just 6-foot-3, is known as an incredibly stout defender when battling his man in the post, so Maxey was giving out some sound advice.

Anthony Edwards played for Kentucky (~01:26:25)

Kermit Wilts, the “villain” of the movie and Cruz’s rival, is played by the Minnesota Timberwolves’ young superstar Anthony Edwards, who arguably stole the entire movie with his hilarious shit-talking bit. It just came so naturally to him, like he wasn’t even acting at all. I can only imagine what he actually has to say during actual NBA games. Wilts repeatedly pops up throughout the film where he is always matched up against Cruz in 5-on-5 settings. Despite being the projected No. 2 pick in the movie, Wilts still shows up at all the pre-draft events to prove he can dominate, emphasizing his unnecessary confidence.

Wilts also played his college year(s) at Kentucky. Here is his during one scene doing an interview ahead of the Combine while standing next to Milwaukee Bucks wing Khris Middleton.

Sorry for the picture quality. I had to take it on my phone. Netflix is apparently against me taking screenshots or recording of their movies. Booooo. I’m not trying to steal the whole movie.

Maxey makes 2nd on-camera appearance (~01:46:10)

As the movie winds down with everyone living happily ever after, Maxey gets on the big screen again. This time, he’s in the middle of the 76ers huddle during pregame in what appears to be the opening home contest of the season for the team. Stanley, who is now an assistant coach on Doc Rivers’ staff (who makes his own cameo), is there with Maxey. In the huddle, Rivers is going over a play, where he name drops Maxey and tells the former ‘Cat to shoot if he’s open.

Rivers: “Hey guys, let’s bring it in. First play is V4. Stepping up to set this pick, Tyrese, if you can turn a corner, shoot it, if not get it to Tobias. He’ll be wide open, all right?”

Maxey makes the credits (~01:47:00)

As the credits begin to roll, it doesn’t take long for “Tyrese Maxey as himself” to pop up on the screen with a quick clip of Maxey executing a beautiful reverse up-and-under layup against the Boston Celtics. It would be his final on-screen appearance, but he got a decent amount of action overall. Again, I wish I could show you the clip, but at least now you’ll know what to look out for when you do watch the movie.

Overall, Maxey shined on the big screen, in my most humble opinion. Shocking, right, considering he’s been a star so many times before on the hardwood with millions of people watching. His role in the inevitable Shazam remake is going to be spectacular.