Common Sense Media Review
By Marty Brown
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Incisive docu tells forgotten basketball story.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Soul Power: The Legend of the American Basketball Association
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
SOUL POWER: THE LEGEND OF THE AMERICAN BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION tells the story of an upstart basketball league that went on to fundamentally change the NBA. Focusing on the personalities that shaped the league, as well as the battles for innovation and equality that occurred throughout its history, Soul Power explores a crucial part of America's cultural history post-Civil Rights.
Is It Any Good?
The first step in making a great documentary is having a great story, and there's one here. Not only does Soul Power: The Legend of the American Basketball Association have a great story, it picks the perfect time to share it -- while many of the players and participants are still alive. But it's not just the source material that makes Soul Power so compelling. The documentary series is masterfully structured, zooming in on star personalities or power struggles, while always relating them back to the narrative. There would be no modern NBA without the ABA, not only because of the on-court innovation and play, but because it gave Black basketball players an opportunity to redefine what it means to be a Black athlete in America.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the American Basketball Association. What was it? Why was it significant?
How did the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s influence the ABA? What impact did the ABA have on the culture and power dynamics of pro basketball? How does this relate to America in the 1970s and beyond?
What does this documentary have to say about 2026? How does the story of the ABA relate to the current world of basketball? To American culture in general?
TV Details
- Premiere date : February 12, 2026
- Cast : Common
- Network : Prime Video
- Genre : Educational
- TV rating :
- Last updated : February 18, 2026
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