In a move that’s sure to reignite passionate conversations among college basketball fans across generations, Netflix has officially announced the release of “The Underdog,” a feature-length documentary chronicling the legendary—and often polarizing—career of Christian Laettner, one of the most iconic figures in the history of Duke basketball and NCAA sports. The documentary is slated for global release on November 5, 2025, ahead of the start of the 2025–2026 college basketball season.Known as both a college basketball hero and one of the most vilified athletes of his era, Laettner’s story is one of brilliance, controversy, dominance, and deep personal complexity. The Underdog promises to go beyond the buzzer-beaters and banners to reveal the full journey of a player who lived at the center of the college basketball universe—and thrived.
A Legacy Like No Other in College Basketball
Christian Laettner’s resume is the stuff of legend: four straight Final Fours, two national championships, the game-winning shot against Kentucky in 1992, and a career at Duke University under Hall of Fame coach Mike Krzyzewski that many consider the greatest in NCAA history.
Yet despite—or perhaps because of—his staggering success, Laettner was often cast as the villain. Whether it was his confidence, his cocky demeanor, or his Duke jersey, Laettner divided fanbases like few athletes ever have. He was both loved and hated, revered and booed, a symbol of college basketball greatness and the fire that fuels its fiercest rivalries.
The Underdog sets out to reframe Laettner’s legacy by looking deeper than the myth. Directed by Emmy Award-winner Ezra Edelman (O.J.: Made in America), the film is built on exclusive interviews, behind-the-scenes footage, and never-before-told stories from Laettner’s teammates, coaches, opponents, and Laettner himself.
From Working-Class Roots to College Royalty
Though many remember Laettner for his time at Duke, the documentary starts in Buffalo, New York, where he was raised in a working-class Catholic family. His blue-collar background clashed with the privileged perception many had of Duke athletes, and The Underdog doesn’t shy away from the contradiction.
The film explores how Laettner’s toughness—both mental and physical—was shaped by his upbringing and his battles to prove himself at every level. Former coaches and childhood friends provide insight into his early years and what made him such a fierce competitor.
“People think I was handed everything,” Laettner says in the film. “But the truth is, I had to earn it every step of the way. I was fighting just to get seen, just to get minutes. That’s what made me who I am.”
The Duke Years: Dominance and Division
Laettner’s time at Duke University from 1988 to 1992 is the centerpiece of the film. With rare access to archival footage, including team meetings, locker room speeches, and practices, The Underdog offers a fly-on-the-wall look at a program rising to dynasty status under Coach K.
Alongside future NBA stars like Grant Hill, Bobby Hurley, and Brian Davis, Laettner helped transform Duke from perennial contender to national powerhouse. The documentary walks viewers through key moments: the heartbreaking 1990 loss to UNLV, the revenge victory a year later, and the back-to-back national championships in 1991 and 1992.
Of course, no retelling of Laettner’s story would be complete without “The Shot.” The 1992 East Regional Final against Kentucky is re-lived in stunning detail—from the inbounds pass by Grant Hill to Laettner’s iconic turnaround jumper that won the game in overtime. Even more compelling, the film explores how that one play came to define both Laettner’s legacy and the love-hate relationship America had with him.
“I wasn’t trying to be a villain,” Laettner says in an emotional interview. “I just wanted to win. But if playing hard, talking trash, and backing it up made people mad, then so be it.”
The Hate That Fueled the Fire
The documentary dives headfirst into the phenomenon that inspired the 2015 ESPN 30 for 30 short, “I Hate Christian Laettner.” With new interviews and cultural analysis, The Underdog expands on this conversation: Why did a player with an unmatched college résumé receive such public scorn?
Media experts, former opponents like Jalen Rose, and fans themselves offer insight into the era, the racial and cultural undertones, and how Laettner became a scapegoat for everything people disliked about Duke’s rise to dominance. The film doesn’t make excuses, but it does seek understanding.
“It was more than basketball,” says director Ezra Edelman. “Christian Laettner represented a shift in how we viewed athletes—he was unapologetically intense, unapologetically successful. But he also carried the weight of an entire system’s resentment. That makes his story uniquely American.”
Olympic Glory, NBA Reality
The latter half of the film transitions into Laettner’s post-Duke years, including his selection as the only college player on the iconic 1992 U.S. Olympic “Dream Team.” Sharing the roster with legends like Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, and Larry Bird, Laettner’s inclusion remains a topic of debate even today.
The Underdog offers a behind-the-scenes look at that historic team—how Laettner fit in, what he learned, and how it shaped the rest of his career. Archival footage from practices and team dinners reveals a young player absorbing greatness while trying to hold his own among basketball royalty.
The film then follows Laettner’s 13-season NBA career, which, while solid, never matched the dominance of his college days. Interviews with former NBA teammates, coaches, and Laettner himself explore the gap between expectation and reality, and how he handled that shift.
The Man Behind the Myth
More than anything, The Underdog seeks to humanize a player whose public image has often been one-dimensional. Now in his mid-50s, Christian Laettner reflects on the cost of fame, the toll of public scrutiny, and the joy of a career that, while not without flaws, is one of the most remarkable in basketball history.
The film explores his life after basketball—his ventures in business, youth coaching, and his efforts to reconnect with fans. Viewers will see a more introspective Laettner, one willing to discuss past regrets and celebrate personal growth.
Four Chapters of a Legend
The documentary is structured into four chapters, each representing a critical stage of Laettner’s story:
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“The Edge” – His upbringing in Buffalo and early fire as a competitor
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“Blue Blood” – The Duke years, championships, and infamous moments
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“Gold & Grit” – The Dream Team, the NBA, and post-Duke challenges
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“Rewriting the Story” – Life after the game and redefining a legacy
Cultural Timing: A New Generation Watching
Netflix’s decision to release The Underdog in November 2025, just before the start of the new college basketball season, is strategic. With a new generation of players and fans discovering Laettner through YouTube clips and TikTok debates, the timing couldn’t be more perfect.
College basketball is also experiencing a renaissance in popularity, driven by NIL deals, viral moments, and a deeper appreciation for legacy. Laettner’s story—flawed, fascinating, and undeniably historic—stands as a reminder of an era when one player could dominate headlines for brilliance and boldness alike.
Final Thoughts: The Redemption of Christian Laettner?
Whether you loved him, hated him, or simply couldn’t ignore him, Christian Laettner left an indelible mark on the game of basketball. The Underdog doesn’t aim to change your opinion—it aims to expand it.
Through archival gold, honest storytelling, and reflections from those who knew him best, the documentary invites us to see the full picture: a competitor who chased greatness, bore the weight of public scrutiny, and came out the other side with wisdom to share.
“It’s not about rewriting the past,” Laettner says in the closing scene. “It’s about owning it—and finding peace with who you are.”