With the release of “Last Chance U” in December 2022, fans are curious to delve into the whereabouts of the original roster in season 1. “Last Chance U: Basketball,” not to be confused with Netflix’s football documentary “Last Chance U,” follows the East Los Angeles Huskies with a roster hopeful to pursue their athletic careers at a Division I or Division II University. Although many fans are excited with the start of a new season, many more are curious as to the endeavors of past players.
Joseph Hampton was a strong power forward for the Huskies during the first season. Towering at six foot eight, Hampton helped drive the team forward with his high rebound and point percentages. Prior to joining East Los Angeles College, Hampton played Division 1 basketball at Penn State before succumbing to a torn ACL that put his season to a halt. Unable to practice for months, he dropped out of Penn State and decided to start over again at the junior college level. Hampton had a successful season at ELAC finishing with one hundred and five offensive and defensive rebounds, over three hundred points scored and over five hundred minutes played , according to ELAC Athletics. He later committed to Long Beach State University, a highly competitive Division 1 program. Here, he had an amazing two seasons; arguably better than his season at ELAC, averaging 9.1 points and 3.1 rebounds per game before falling to yet another injury by breaking his wrist. Refusing to allow an injury to define his career, he carried the same perseverance he had throughout his first injury and now plays professionally in Colombia.
Deshaun Highler followed in Joe’s footsteps, as he also plays professionally in Colombia. Starting his career at ELAC as a strong point guard he ultimately led his team to an (almost) undefeated season. He was looked upon by Coach Mosley as a role model for players on the team to follow and played a key role in holding the team down mentally. Through his high performance athletically and strength as a leader, he was granted recruitment at Sacramento State before deciding to go pro. Higher posted a picture on Oct. 15, 2022 of Hampton and himself holding up each others’ professional jerseys and tweeted, “Beat the odds. My brother 4L.”
Malik Muhammed was the starting center for ELAC and almost everywhere he played prior. Due to grade slip ups in high school, Muhammed was unable to gain recruitment to a Division 1 university. He had a successful season at ELAC with over two hundred rebounds and points scored as well as a little short of seven hundred total minutes played. He successfully committed to Southern Utah University, a Division 1 and competitive athletic program following his junior college career.
Ultimately at the closing of season one, seven players committed to colleges to further their academic and athletic careers in a promising environment. Of the Division 1 commits, Kealan (KJ) Allen went to the University of Southern California and later transferred to Texas Tech, while Jordan Polynice and Levelle Zeigler committed to Chicago State University.
“Last Chance U” gives many viewers the raw experience of what many athletes in marginalized communities have to endure. There is immense hope that this documentary series can help steer the next generation towards success as they watch and take inspiration from the successes of each player at ELAC.
Written by Naima Cho-Khaliq of Thomas S. Wootton High School
Photo courtesy of Netflix