Rebound: Fox Nation’s Documentary On Yeshiva University’s Men’s Basketball Team

It was the fall of 2023, and the Yeshiva University men’s basketball team was riding high. They were on a 50-game winning streak and were gearing up to try for the conference title at the NCAA Division III tournament. They had talented players on their team, including six Israelis.

Then, once October 7th happened, the team had to make a choice to either cancel their season so they could process and grieve what happened or play on.

The team chose to keep playing.

A new documentary on FOX Nation, “Rebound: A Year of Triumph and Tragedy at Yeshiva University Basketball,” which premiered on April 9th, follows the team pre- and post-October 7th, starting in September of 2023. In the beginning, they are midway through their season. After October 7th, they play basketball as well as navigate their grief and tour Israel.

While they are in Israel, the team visits family members, speaks with a freed hostage, and provides support to IDF soldiers. The film also follows Head Coach Elliot Steinmetz and top-scoring guard Zevi Samet, who lead the team on and off the court. By the end of the documentary, the team members realize that by continuing to play, they are able to bring people together through sports and rally support for Israel.

Pat Dimon, an Emmy award-winning filmmaker who worked at HBO Sports for over 10 years, directed “Rebound.” His company, A-Frame Productions, focuses on documenting sports organizations and athletes; Dimon was also the executive producer and director on The CW’s “100 Days to Indy” and the showrunner and co-executive producer on Netflix’s golf series “Full Swing.”

He had heard about the YU basketball team and was fascinated by their story.

“After doing some research, I realized how incredible the story of a Jewish basketball team not just competing but excelling  in the heart of NYC was,” he said. “Even before October 7th, I knew this team’s inspiring story needed to be told.”

Dimon met with Coach Steinmetz and began filming. Though Dimon isn’t Jewish, he felt compelled to get involved.

“I firmly believe that sports have the unique power to bring people together, especially during times of tragedy,” he said. “I was really inspired by the Yeshiva University Maccabees for their courage and determination in the face of the October 7th attacks and knew this team’s story had to be told.”

Dimon had never visited Israel prior to the filming. He said his time there was a “really eye-opening experience. Watching the players reunite with their families after October 7th was incredibly moving. I had a hard time keeping the cameras rolling because I was just living in the moment with them, watching families come together under very difficult circumstances.”

On the other hand, he also captured the team’s lowest moments when they grappled with guilt as they continued to play.

“There were players whose families were in the army, who debated quitting the team and joining them in the war,” he said. “The team really became a beacon of hope. In Israel, people were telling us that streaming the Maccabees’ games was the highlight of their days and this was really affirming for the players. They needed to stay on the court, to inspire and bring people together.”

Prior to working on “Rebound,” Dimon admitted he did not know much about Orthodox Judaism. He learned a lot by being with the YU players, many of whom wear kippot during games, and who sing both “The Star-Spangled Banner” and “Hatikvah.” They also prayed on the court for IDF soldiers just two days after October 7th.

“Being embedded with the team and going with them to Israel, I found the community to be not just resilient in the face of everything that happened last year, but also welcoming and kind,” Dimon said.

So far, according to the director, many viewers have praised “Rebound” for its optimism – especially in the face of such tragedy.

“I think the message of hope, resilience, and courage is really resonating with audiences,” Dimon said. “Through this documentary, we hope to introduce viewers to a world that they may not have known existed, showing how sports can transcend societal barriers, bring people together, and serve as a powerful bright spot in life.”

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