Institute History
Description
Eight year old Monica Wright forces her way into a two-on-two pick up game with eight year old Quincy McCall and his two friends. Monica informs Quincy that she's "gonna be the first girl in the NBA." Quincy retorts, "I'ma be in the NBA, you gonna be a cheerleader." At game point, Monica goes up for the winning shot, and Quincy fouls her hard, knocking her front tooth out.
Nine years later, Monica and Quincy are in their senior year of high school. Monica is trying to get recruited to play college ball, but as good as she is, her temper on the court is turning off recruiters. Quincy is a high school star with his pick of schools, following in the footsteps of his father, Zeke, who used to play in the NBA.
Monica is focused on her goal, at the expense of a social life, a boyfriend, and a good relationship with her mom, Camille, who continually chastises her for not being more "lady-like," like her older sister, Lena. Her only distraction is her unspoken love for Quincy. Unfortunately, Quincy is seemingly focused on the pretty girls in love with his stardom. But Monica and Quincy still have a friendship and he gives her advice that helps her play well in front of a recruiter from UCLA. At the same time, the spring formal is looming. Quincy has his pick of "honeys;" Monica has to be set up with a college friend of her sister's. At the formal, Monica is nervously enjoying her first date, while Quincy is fighting his jealousy. At the end of the night, the two end up together, admitting their feelings, and celebrating Monica's recruiting letter from UCLA and Quincy's decision to attend UCLA by making love.
At UCLA, Quincy is an immediate star on campus, everyone believing him to be the key to the Final Four. Monica, however, struggles. For the first time in her life she is not the best. Tensions arise when Monica puts more effort into winning a starting spot than she does in the relationship. Then, Quincy catches his father cheating. Suddenly, Quincy has lots his hero and his direction. Just as Monica achieves her goal and becomes a starter, Quincy decides to go pro to spite his father, and breaks up with her, severing all emotional ties. Monica is crushed.
Three years later, Monica plays in her final collegiate game and is then faced with THE decision—a difficult, lonely life playing overseas in Europe, or giving up her dream of being the "first girl in the NBA" and moving on. Everyone seems to agree it's time to move on. Meanwhile, Quincy is playing in the CBA, having been cut from the Dallas Mavericks after his first season. His only goal is to get back to the NBA, and he finally has his chance when two NBA teams come to take a look. He is having the game of his life when suddenly, he goes up for a dunk and blows out his knee.
Monica sees the report on the news, and hears he may never play again. She hasn't spoken to him in three years, but goes to see him. They put up good fronts, pretending their lives are better than they are. He promises to be back playing in six months and making it back to the NBA. She says her big decision is no big deal. But the minute Monica leaves the hospital room, her facade drops. She goes home and decides to give up basketball—dreams don't always come true.
Six months later, Monica is a "new" person. She has taken her economics degree and gotten a job as an investment banker. She has a new, stylish look, and she has a new man, Troy, a sports agent. Monica comes up with a revolutionary sports agency plan which she and Troy pitch to her bank. When the plan goes through, Troy proposes and Monica accepts. Quincy, meanwhile, has been killing himself in rehab and has made amazing progress. He comes to Monica and asks for help getting back on the court. She reluctantly agrees. But once on the court, Quincy tells her he wants her back. Despite still loving him, Monica rejects him and Quincy confronts her about giving up her dream. Monica tells him it's all in the past.
Quincy has affected her deeply but she is determined to be the person everyone else wants her to be. Meanwhile, Quincy tries to play again too early and further damages his knee. The only good to come out is a reconciliation with his father.
Wedding day, and Monica is nervous as hell. Her mom comes in and, to her shock, tells her to leave. She wants Monica to do what makes her happy, not what everyone else wants her to do. Monica leaves, and finds Quincy waiting outside of the church.
Two years later, Quincy is sitting in the Forum with a one-year-old girl on his lap, watching Monica on the floor, playing in the WNBA.