Having just finished watching the incredible Hustle on Netflix, I was blown away. not just by the great Sandler performance or how intense and sweaty the hooping looked, but also by the sheer volume of NBA related talent they got into the movie. IT IS JAM PACKED FULL. I guess when Lebron James produces a proper (sorry Space Jam 2) Basketball flick, he’s going to have a lot of pull!
What NBA players are in Netflix Hustle? The most notable NBA players that are in the Netflix movie Hustle are Juancho Hernangomez, Anthony Edwards, Mo Wagner, Tobias Harris, Seth Curry, Dirk Nowitski and Kenny “the Jet” Smith. However this is just the tip of the iceberg, there are 50 NBA related people listed in an epic closing credits. Below we look at some standouts and provide a full list of who, why and where they appear.
| Player | Character | Known for | Notes |
| Juancho Hernangomez | Boa Cruz | NBA Player | Main Character |
| Anthony Edwards | Kermit Wilts | NBA Player | Main Antagonist |
| Tobias Harris | Himself | NBA Player | Competes in the Boa Challenge |
| Tyrese Maxey | Himself | NBA Player | Local NBA player |
| Seth Curry | Himself | NBA Player | Local NBA player |
| Matisse Thybulle | Himself | NBA Player | Local NBA player |
| Doc Rivers | Himself | NBA Coach | 76ers Head Coach |
| Kenny Smith | Leon Rich | Former NBA Player | good job acting! |
| Julius “Dr J” Erving | Himself | NBA Legend | Multiple speaking lines |
| Dirk Nowitski | Himself | NBA Legend | Appears via Video Phone call |
| Boban Marjanovic | Dimitri Jovanovic aka Big Serbian | NBA Player | 22 years old |
| Allen Iverson | Himself | NBA Legend | Appears in the Boa Montage |
| Shaquille O’neal | Himself | NBA Legend | TNT Set |
| Charles Barkley | Himself | NBA Legend | TNT Set |
| Luka Doncic | Himself | NBA Player | Appears in the Boa Montage |
| Moe Wagner | Haas | NBA Player | Young prospect dubbed the German Jordan |
| Mark Jackson | Himself | NBA Coach | Draft Combine |
| Kyle Lowry | Himself | NBA Player | Appears in the Boa Montage |
| Trae Young | Himself | NBA Player | Final Open Run |
| Aaron Gordon | Himself | NBA Player | Final Open Run |
| Jordan Clarkson | Himself | NBA Player | Final Open Run |
| Khris Middleton | Himself | NBA Player | Small speaking part |
| Pierre Oriola | Himself | Spanish National Player | Spanish National practice |
| Willy Hernangomez | Himself | NBA Player | Spanish National practice |
| Jose Calderon | Himself | Former NBA Player | Spanish National practice |
| Felipe Reyes | Himself | Spanish National Player | Spanish National practice |
| Leandro Barbosa | Himself | Former NBA Player | |
| Alex Abrines | Himself | Spanish National Player | Spanish National practice |
| Maurice “Mo” Cheeks | Himself | Former NBA Player | |
| Aaron Mckie | Himself | Former NBA Player | |
| Mike James | Himself | NBA Player | |
| Michael Foster | Zeke Washington | Future NBA Player | Scouted by Stan at start of Hustle |
| James Goldstein | Himself | NBA Superfan | |
| Grayson “The Professor” Boucher | Himself | Street Ball Legend | Teaching Boa dribble moves |
| Chris Matthew | Himself | Lethal Shooter – streetball name | Teaching Boa shooting |
| Aaron “AO” Owens | Himself | And1 | Boa Challenge |
| Larry “Bone Collector” Williams | Himself | And1 | |
| Lonnie “Prime Objective” Harrell | Himself | And1 | |
| Waliyy “Main Event” Dixon | Himself | And1 | |
| Bobby Verdim | Himself | Coach | |
| Billy King | Sixers General Manager | Former NBA Executive | |
| Pat Croce | Himself | Former NBA Executive | |
| Emeka Okafor | Himself | Former NBA Player | |
| Dave Joerger | Ass Coach 76ers | Coach | |
| Dell Demps | Ass Coach 76ers | NBA Player | |
| Jay Wright | Himself | Coach | |
| Sergio Scariolo | Himself | Coach – Spanish National Team | Small speaking part |
| Mark Cuban | Himself | Dallas Mavericks Owner | |
| Brad Stevens | Himself | Boston Celtics GM | Small speaking part |
Who plays Boa Cruz in 2022 Netflix Hustle?
The main character, Boa Cruz in the movie Hustle is played by NBA player Juancho Hernangomez. The Spanish national team player, signed with the Jazz when the film was released has played 6 seasons in the NBA. He was drafted by the Denver Nuggets in 2016. His brother Willy, who also had a small part in the Hustle, also plays in the NBA.
Who does Anthony Edwards play in Hustle?
Timberwolves power guard Anthony Edwards plays the hateable Kermit Wills in the Adam Sandler basketball movie Hustle. He is pitched as the main on court antagonist for Boa Cruz. Edwards in character trash talking is brutal, even bringing Boas young daughter into the mix to try and get in his head. This is very different from the reported personality of Edwards, who by all accounts, aside from his competitive fire, is a very nice guy with a great sense of humor. He also gets the chance to show off some of his explosive on court moves, taking Boa down a peg or to as he learns the US basketball ropes.
How is Dirk Nowitski in Hustle?
The giant German appears in a speaking role on screen when Sandler’s character (Stan) video calls him in an attempt to convince Boa that he is in fact an NBA scout and not just some crazy American who followed him home on the bus.
Is Kenny Smith in Hustle?
Kenny “the Jet” Smith appears in Hustle as the power agent Leon Rich. He has a multi scene speaking role, that he does justice. He plays the former college teammate and current confidant of Stan (Sanders) as he tries to find his rightful place in the NBA. I personally was hoping that Sandler and Smith would have a scene where they get into it on the court, but sadly, that wasn’t to be.
There are many brilliant cameos, from Mark Cuban, through Trey Young, Brad Stevens and even Streetball legends like AO, Main Event and The Professor. Hustle is a real basketball movie, made by basketball people for basketball fans. If you haven’t seen it, you should change that up.