Chip Rives Previews ‘Phi Slama Jama’ Film

On Tuesday, October 18th, ESPN will premiere their latest 30 for 30 film. "Phi Slama Jama" will look back at the great Houston Cougars basketball teams from 1982-1984. Here is how ESPN described the film:

They were the most popular fraternity on the campus of college basketball in the early 1980s. Led by a Nigerian soccer player named Hakeem Olajuwon and a lightly recruited hometown kid named Clyde Drexler, the University of Houston Cougars not only electrified the NCAA Final Four with three straight appearances (1982-84), but they also helped transform the game itself. In this 30 for 30 film, director Chip Rives brings back the high-flying circus act under ringmaster Guy V. Lewis and spins a tale of true greatness and crushing heartbreak. But while exploring that larger narrative, Rives also focuses on the disappearance of enigmatic role player Benny Anders and the lasting brotherhood that compels teammates and 1981-82 co-captains Eric Davis and Lynden Rose to try and find him after more than two decades of mystery.

Rives joined Sportstalk today to preview his latest project, and reminisce about the great Cougars basketball teams from more than 30 years ago. The 45-year old director grew up in Houston and told us the team was more popular than any of the professional teams in the city during the height of their greatness. "Phi Slama Jama" is a must watch and could be another classic ESPN 30 for 30 Film.