It’s not every day that a documentary director gets kicked out of a locker room, interviews a 7’3” basketball phenom from a stool, and captures raw, emotional moments that make NBA superstars tear up. But when that 7’3” phenom is Victor Wembanyama, the stakes go even higher. Court of Gold, the Netflix documentary, dives deep into the journey of basketball’s biggest names at the Paris Summer Olympics, with Wembanyama towering—both literally and figuratively—at the heart of it all. And trust me, the behind-the-scenes chaos was just as intense as the action on the court.

Jake Rogal has seen plenty in his filmmaking career, but even he wasn’t ready for how unpredictable this project would be. One of the wildest moments? Serbia’s team straight-up booted him from their locker room. “Yeah, they weren’t too thrilled about us being in there,” he admitted. No surprise there. Telling a story about elite athletes is one thing, but getting access to their world? That’s a whole different battle.

Then there was the challenge of interviewing Victor Wembanyama. The guy is 7’3”, so you can imagine how awkward it got on camera. “With Wemby, he sat on a normal chair and I sat on a barstool. Then we were the same eyeline, which was humiliating for me. The pictures that the crew got, which they still make fun of me for, are in my phone,” Rogal laughed. But Wemby isn’t just a walking highlight reel—he’s different.

“At his age, to be as thoughtful and cerebral and aware as he is — I could see him stopping before he talked every time we asked a question because he wanted to think about what he was going to say. That’s so rare. Combined with his basketball skill, obviously, he has that thing,” Rogal said. That’s wild to hear about a 21-year-old, but it makes sense. Wembanyama isn’t just chasing greatness—he’s aiming to become one of the best defensive players ever.

Of course, Wemby’s presence in the documentary wasn’t just about his skills. He’s a global sensation. French media had a field day when TF1’s 8 p.m. news showed just how massive he is, making journalist Gilles Bouleau (who’s 6’0”, by the way) look tiny next to him. But Victor Wembanyama isn’t just about towering over people. He’s about getting results. When asked about his rookie year with the Spurs, his response was classic Wemby: “I always want more, so I’m not surprised.”

With all the high-profile interviews and behind-the-scenes madness, one thing is clear: Court of Gold isn’t just another basketball documentary—it’s an inside look at what it takes to be that good on the biggest stage.

Court of Gold: The Hidden Moments That Took Everyone by Surprise

But what makes this documentary even crazier? The stuff they never planned to capture. Those raw, unfiltered moments that weren’t supposed to make it on film.

One of the biggest surprises? Kevin Durant—yes, KD—getting emotional on camera. The guy has a reputation for being tough and no-nonsense, but during filming, the weight of the Olympics and everything he had sacrificed hit him. Hard. “When he’s emotional, the first thing you want to be is respectful. The show is the second thought in my head in that moment. There’s someone in front of me who’s being really vulnerable right now, and it takes courage to be that vulnerable publicly, especially to someone he doesn’t know,” Rogal said. And just like that, one of the NBA’s biggest names reminded everyone that even superstars feel things.

The documentary also removes the buffed version of pro basketball that fans countenance. And everything goes unprohibited – the rivalries, the pressure, the way these guys really talk to each other. One of the best moments? Late-night conversations in the Olympic Village between rival players. The respect. The subtle digs. The unspoken tension. Never the type of thing that gets onto mainstream coverage, but Court of Gold documents it in a way that makes you feel like you’re there in the room with it.

Court of Gold is not just for basketball fans, it’s for anyone who loves a raw human story brought to you with all the never-before-seen footage, real player moments, and pure behind-the-scenes chaos. Well, this documentary proves that sports are way more than just a game, and that’s why.