Arthur Agee facts for kids

Arthur Agee Jr. (born October 22, 1972) is an American former professional basketball player. He became well-known from the 1994 documentary Hoop Dreams. This film followed the lives of Arthur and another Chicago-area basketball player. Agee played college basketball for the Arkansas State Red Wolves. He also played professionally with the Winnipeg Cyclone team.

Arthur Agee's Early Life

Arthur Agee Jr. is the second child of Arthur "Bo" Agee Sr. and Sheila Agee. When he was younger, he lived in Chicago. Later, his family moved to the West Garfield Park neighborhood. This was his home until he finished school.

In 1987, after finishing grammar school, a talent scout named Earl Smith noticed Arthur. Smith helped the Agee family send Arthur to St. Joseph's High School. This was a private school in the suburbs.

High School Basketball Journey

In the fall of 1987, Arthur Agee started his freshman year at St. Joseph High School. This was the same school his childhood hero, Isiah Thomas, attended. Arthur woke up very early each day. He traveled 90 minutes by public transportation to get to school.

Later, his family found it hard to pay the school's tuition. So, Arthur left St. Joseph's. He then went to John Marshall High School. This was a school in the city. In his final year, he helped the Marshall Commandos team. They won the 1991 Public League Championship. They also finished third in the state championship.

College and Professional Career

After graduating from Marshall High School, Agee played very well at Mineral Area College. He then played for two years at Arkansas State on a scholarship. He was a member of the Phi Beta Sigma fraternity. Even though Arthur played for a top college team, he did not achieve his dream of playing in the National Basketball Association.

In 1995, Agee joined the Winnipeg Cyclone team. This team was part of the International Basketball Association. He played only one season for the Cyclone. In 1996, Arthur decided not to sign a contract with another basketball team. Instead, he took a role in the film Passing Glory. He worked with Steve James, who also directed Hoop Dreams.

Life After Basketball

In 2004, Arthur Agee started his own clothing line. It was called "Hoop Dreams" and had the slogan "Control Your Destiny." In 2021, Agee teamed up with William Gates, his co-star from Hoop Dreams. They also worked with producer Matt Hoffar. Together, they launched The Hoop Dreams Podcast.

On December 15, 2004, Arthur's father, Arthur "Bo" Agee Sr., passed away.