The film was released in select theaters on February 10, 2006, and received positive reviews from critics and audiences. The film has a 65% rating on Metacritic and a 7.1/10 rating on IMDb. The film was also nominated for the Grand Jury Prize at the 2005 Sundance Film Festival. The film is available to watch online on YouTube.
Sebastian Telfair is a cousin of former NBA player Stephon Marbury, who also grew up in Coney Island and played for Lincoln High School. Telfair was one of the most hyped high school players in the country, and was ranked as the sixth best point guard in the nation by ESPN. He led Lincoln High School to three consecutive city championships, and was named Mr. New York Basketball in 2004. He was also selected to play in the McDonald's All-American Game and the Jordan Brand Classic in 2004.
Telfair had originally committed to play for the University of Louisville under coach Rick Pitino, but he changed his mind after seeing LeBron James make a successful transition from high school to the NBA. Telfair declared for the 2004 NBA draft, and was selected by the Portland Trail Blazers with the 13th overall pick. He signed a six-year, $15 million contract with the Trail Blazers, and also inked a $12 million endorsement deal with Adidas. He became the first player to have his own signature shoe before playing a single NBA game.
Telfair's NBA career, however, did not live up to the expectations. He played for nine different teams in 10 seasons, averaging 7.4 points and 3.5 assists per game. He never made an All-Star team or won a championship. He also had several off-court issues, such as being arrested for gun possession, being robbed at gunpoint, and being involved in a shooting incident. His last NBA stint was with the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2014-15, but he was waived after playing only 16 games. He then played overseas in China and Italy until 2019.
Through the Fire is a fascinating and inspiring film that shows the highs and lows of Sebastian Telfair's basketball journey. It is a must-watch for any basketball fan or anyone who wants to learn more about one of the most intriguing stories in sports history.
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