Adam Sandler’s new collaboration with Netflix for Hustle, a basketball drama currently available on the streaming platform that features an impressive cast of well-known actors and NBA personalities. Directed by Jeremiah Zagar, Hustle sees Sandler in another dramatic role, the actor plays Stanley Sugarman a former player now talent scout who works for the 76ers. During a trip to while looking for players in Spain for the team’s draft he finds, by sheer luck, Bo Cruz (Juan Hernangómez) a Spanish talent to be scorned, who will become his life bet for Stanley.
Sandler with “Hustle” packs a heartfelt love letter to the sport he loves most, but the big hit was having a number of big names in the NBA in the film. Spencer Beighley, executive producer of Hustle, explained to For The Win because the film was able to get so many big names for this project.
You see a lot of great basketball players in this movie. It has never been easier to get cameos in any movie than in Hustle because when you say Adam Sandler’s name, people immediately cheer up. All of these players, not only have grown up with all of Adam’s films, but they know he is a true basketball fan.
Note that many of the athletes in the film have links to Philadelphia 76ers. This is because, in the film, Sandler’s character works for this team. In addition, the director of the film (Jeremiah Zagar) and the screenwriter (Will Fetters) are both from Philadelphia.
“There are so many hidden cameos that sometimes go so ‘into basketball’ that only devoted fans will notice,” Beighley added. “I think it’s those cameos that allow this story to feel like a love letter to the game.”
For those wishing to deepen this substantial list of cameos and roles played below, you will find a list of all the NBA players and personalities who appear in the film.
The cast of NBA stars and personalities
Juan Alberto “Juancho” Hernangómez Geuer plays Bo Cruz: Geuer is a professional basketball player currently in the Utah Jazz (NBA). Previously he played for Estudiantes della Liga ACB and represented the Spanish senior national team.
Anthony Edwards as Kermit Wilts: The star and talented guard of the Minnesota Timberwolves in the film plays the antagonist of Bo Cruz and was the first overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft.
Kenny Smith plays sports agent Leon Rich: the former Houston Rockets player and current Inside the NBA analyst.
Moe Wagner plays the Haas player: The current Orlando Magic forward plays a 19-year-old German player nicknamed the “German Michael Jordan” the 76ers want in the draft.
Michael Foster a real potential NBA draft candidate in “Hustle” plays a fictional one named Zeke Washington.
Julius’ Dr. Philadelphia 76ers legend J ‘Ervinger takes a dunk at age 63 in a viral video Stanley shows his teenage daughter. The NBA icon is considered to be one of the greatest players of all time and one of the greatest hitter ever.
Matisse Thybulle, the current Philadelphia 76ers guard appears in the film as himself.
Tobias Harris current Philadelphia 76ers striker appears in “Hustle” as himself and we see him playing against Bo Cruz.
Kyle Lowry current Miami Heat guard appears in “Hustle” as himself.
Tyrese Maxey current Philadelphia 76ers guard appears in “Hustle” as himself.
Seth Curry, the current Brooklyn Nets guard appears in “Hustle” as himself.
Doc Rivers, current head coach of the Philadelphia 76ers appears in “Hustle” as himself.
Bojan Marjanović, the current Dallas Mavericks centerpiece plays player Dimitri Jovanovic, the player also appeared in John Wick – Parabellum.
Dirk Nowitzki, a former Dallas Mavericks star, appears in the film as himself in a FaceTime call.
Brad Stevens former Boston Celtics manager appears in the film as himself.
Jay Wright former Villanova coach appears in the film as himself.
Jordan Clarkson, current Utah Jazz guard, appears as himself during the final secret game of “Hustle”.
Trae Young current Atlanta Hawks guard appears in the film as himself.
Aaron Gordon current Denver Nuggets striker appears in the film as himself.
Mark Jackson former New York Knicks guard and current ESPN commentator Mark Jackson appears in the film as himself.
Allen Iverson, former Philadelphia 76ers star, appears in the film in a cameo as himself
Luka Dončić current Dallas Mavericks striker appears in the film in a cameo as himself.
Tim Young, former center of the Golden State Warriors, appears in the film as himself.
Mike James current Brooklyn Nets guard appears in the film as one of Hustle’s true NBA players.
Leandro Barbosa former Phoenix Suns guard and current Golden State Warriors coach appears in the film as himself.
Aaron “AO” Owens the Philadelphia streetballer appears in “Hustle” as part of the Boa Challenge.
Streetballer Lonnie “Prime Objective” Harrell appears in the film as himself.
Streetballer Larry “Bone Collector” Williams appears in the film as himself.
Streetballer Waliyy “Main Event” Dixon appears in the film as himself.
Grayson “The Professor” Boucher appears in the film as himself to help train Bo.
Ty “There He Go” Tanner appears in “Hustle” as himself.
Chris “Lethal Shooter” Matthews appears in the film as himself and helps train Bo.
Mark Cuban, owner of the Dallas Mavericks, appears in the film as himself.
Emeka Okafor former Charlotte Bobcats striker appears in the film as himself.
Charles Barkley, former Phoenix Suns star and current Inside the NBA analyst, appears in the film as himself.
Shaquille O’Neal, a former Los Angeles Lakers star and current Inside the NBA analyst, appears in the film as himself.
NBA host Ernie Johnson appears in the film as himself.
NBA agent Bill Duffy appears in “Hustle” as himself.
NBA agent Jeff Schwartz appears in the film as himself.
Pat Croce former president of the Philadelphia 76ers appears in the film as himself.
Maurice Cheeks former Philadelphia 76ers player and manager appears in the film as himself.
Sports reporter Kristine Leahy appears in “Hustle” as herself as part of the NBA Combine.
Aaron McKie current Temple Owls coach appears in the film as himself.
NBA draft analyst Fran Fraschilla appears in the film as himself.
Khris Middleton current Milwaukee Bucks striker appears in the film as himself.
Greg St. Jean current assistant coach of the Dallas Mavericks appears in the film as himself.
Former international basketball player Lonnie Cooper appears in the film as himself.
Sergio Scariolo coach of the Spanish national team appears in the film as himself.
José Calderón former Toronto Raptors and guard of the Spanish national team appears in “Hustle” as himself.
Willy Hernangómez of the New Orleans Pelicans and center of the Spanish national team appears in the film as himself.
Felipe Reyez striker of the Spanish national team appears in the film as himself.
Álex Abrines guard of the Spanish national team appears in the film as himself.
Pierre Oriola, center of the Spanish national team, appears in the film as himself.
Jason Filippi, international talent scout appears in the film as himself.
International agent Igor Ormazábal appears in the film as himself.
Sports analyst Peter Vecsey appears in the film as himself.
Former Salem State manager Bobby Verdun appears in “Hustle” as himself.
Dell Demps current assistant coach of the Utah Jazz appears as assistant to the Philadelphia 76ers.
Billy King, former General Manager of the Philadelphia 76ers, assumes his old position on the team in the film.
Peter Dominguez assistant coach of the Philadelphia 76ers appears in the film as himself.
Dave Joerger assistant coach of the Philadelphia 76ers on “Hustle” as himself.
Source: Time
