Hey, everyone! How’s it going? Today I’m here to review the drama Big Shot, which delivered an inspiring story of redemption, mentorship, and the transformative power of believing in yourself and others through the world of high school basketball.
Big Shot premiered on Disney+ on April 16, 2021, and ran for two seasons before being cancelled in February 2023. The series featured 20 episodes total across two seasons, with the second season premiering on October 12, 2022. Each episode ran approximately 45-50 minutes, making it perfect for family viewing. Created by David E. Kelley, Dean Lorey, and Brad Garrett, Big Shot starred John Stamos, Jessalyn Gilsig, and Yvette Nicole Brown in this sports comedy-drama that explored themes of second chances, personal growth, and the importance of mentorship.
This wasn’t your typical sports series. Big Shot operated in the realm of personal transformation, where a disgraced college basketball coach must learn to adapt his coaching style to work with teenage girls at an elite private school. The series excelled at showing how both coach and players could learn from each other, creating authentic relationships that went far beyond basketball. What made this show particularly compelling was how it balanced sports action with genuine character development, proving that the most important victories happen off the court.
Marvyn Korn: The Disgraced Coach’s Journey to Redemption
John Stamos stars as Marvyn Korn, a temperamental college basketball coach who gets fired from his job and must take a teaching and coaching job at an elite all-girls private high school. Stamos delivers a standout performance that captures both Marvyn’s initial arrogance and his gradual transformation into a mentor who truly cares about his players as people, not just athletes. His character arc spans from a win-at-all-costs coach to someone who learns that success is measured in much more than championship trophies.
Big Shot excels at showing how Marvyn’s old-school coaching methods clash with his new environment, forcing him to evolve his approach while still maintaining his competitive drive. Stamos brings both comedy and genuine emotion to the role, making Marvyn’s journey from selfish coach to caring mentor feel authentic and earned rather than forced.
Holly Barrett: The Assistant Coach and Voice of Reason
Jessalyn Gilsig portrays Holly Barrett, Marvyn’s assistant coach who serves as both his professional partner and moral compass. Holly represents the bridge between Marvyn’s aggressive coaching style and what actually works with teenage students. Gilsig brings warmth and intelligence to the role, creating a character who challenges Marvyn while supporting both him and the team.
The dynamic between Holly and Marvyn forms one of the series’ strongest relationships, showing how professional partnerships can evolve into genuine friendship and mutual respect. Big Shot uses Holly’s character to demonstrate that effective coaching requires both toughness and empathy, with Gilsig delivering performances that balance strength with compassion.
The Westbrook Team: More Than Just Players
The series features a talented group of young actors including Sophia Mitri Schloss, Nell Verlaque, Tiana Le, Monique Green, Tisha Custodio, and Cricket Wampler as the Westbrook basketball team. Each player brings her own challenges and strengths to the court, creating a diverse ensemble that represents different aspects of teenage life and personal growth.
Big Shot succeeds in giving each team member distinct personalities and storylines that extend beyond basketball, exploring issues like academic pressure, family expectations, and personal identity. The young cast delivers authentic performances that make their characters feel like real teenagers rather than adult-written stereotypes.
Season Two: New Fire and Continued Growth
In season two, Marvyn Korn returns to Westbrook with a new fire, ready to show that his basketball team can compete at the highest levels while maintaining the personal growth and team chemistry they developed in the first season. The second season builds on the relationships established in the first season while introducing new challenges and competitions.
The series continued to explore how success in sports requires both individual excellence and team cooperation, showing that the lessons learned on the basketball court apply directly to life beyond high school. Big Shot maintained its focus on character development while ramping up the sports action and competitive stakes.
Supporting Cast Brings Depth and Heart
Yvette Nicole Brown delivers memorable performances as Principal Sherilyn Thomas, providing both administrative support and personal wisdom to Marvyn’s journey. Richard Robichaux and the supporting cast create a rich environment at Westbrook that feels like a real school community rather than just a backdrop for basketball.
The series excels at showing how educational institutions can become places of genuine transformation when administrators, teachers, and coaches work together to support student growth. Big Shot creates an atmosphere where every adult character plays a role in helping the students succeed both academically and personally.
Former Success on Disney+ Platform
Big Shot achieved a 78% rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 23 critic reviews, demonstrating solid critical reception for this family-friendly sports drama. The series represented Disney+’s commitment to creating original programming that could appeal to both parents and teenagers, offering positive role models and inspiring storylines. Unfortunately, the series was cancelled after two seasons and was removed from Disney+ on May 26, 2023, as part of a broader content removal initiative, making it currently unavailable for streaming.
Big Shot proved that sports-centered family dramas could find appreciative audiences when they focused on character development and positive messaging rather than just athletic competition.
Perfect for Family Sports Drama Fans
If you loved inspiring stories about second chances, mentorship, and the transformative power of teamwork, Big Shot was the perfect series for family viewing (though it’s no longer available on Disney+). The series delivered both sports excitement and genuine emotional depth, proving that the best victories are the ones that help people become better versions of themselves.
Why This Series Was Worth Watching
Positive Points:
- John Stamos delivered his best television performance with genuine emotional depth
- Excellent young cast that brought authenticity to teenage characters and relationships
- Perfect balance of sports action and character-driven storytelling
- Positive messaging about mentorship, growth, and second chances without being preachy
- High production values with convincing basketball sequences and school environments
Negative Points:
- Series was cancelled after only two seasons, leaving some storylines unresolved
- Predictable sports drama tropes occasionally overshadowed character development
- Limited availability since removal from Disney+ makes it difficult for new viewers to discover
- Some adult storylines felt underdeveloped compared to the student-focused plots
- Family-friendly tone may have limited the show’s appeal to broader adult audiences
Big Shot proved that the most important games aren’t won on scoreboards, but in the hearts and minds of people who learn to believe in themselves and support each other.
Series Details
- Number of Episodes: 20 episodes total (2 seasons)
- Platform: Disney+ (removed May 26, 2023)
- Year Released: 2021-2022
- IMDb Rating: 7.5/10
- Genre: Sports Comedy-Drama
- Production Type: American family series
- Status: Cancelled after 2 seasons, removed from platform
- Protagonists: John Stamos (Marvyn Korn), Jessalyn Gilsig (Holly Barrett)
- Supporting Cast: Yvette Nicole Brown (Principal Thomas), Richard Robichaux