As reported by on3, a highly anticipated documentary celebrating South Carolina’s unprecedented 2023-24 undefeated national championship season nd the broader evolution of women’s basketball over the past five decades now has an official trailer and confirmed release date, promising fans an intimate look at one of the sport’s most dominant campaigns and its historical context.
Release Details and Platform
“The Moment” debuts on Tubi on February 6, making it freely accessible to basketball fans across the country. Trailers for the movie began airing this weekend on FOX stations, generating significant buzz among South Carolina supporters and women’s basketball enthusiasts nationwide.
Tubi is a free streaming platform owned by FOX, which explains why the trailer debuted on FOX stations this weekend. The platform’s free accessibility ensures that the documentary will reach the widest possible audience, allowing fans who may not subscribe to premium streaming services to experience this celebration of women’s basketball history.
The Documentary’s Scope and Vision
The documentary combines archival footage, interviews, and cultural moments to tell the story of the rise of women’s basketball over the last 50 years, providing essential historical context for the sport’s current unprecedented popularity and mainstream recognition.
“The Moment” focuses on South Carolina’s undefeated national championship season as the culmination of that rise, positioning the Gamecocks’ 38-0 campaign not as an isolated achievement but as the pinnacle of decades of growth, struggle, and progress in women’s basketball.
This narrative framework allows the documentary to celebrate South Carolina’s excellence while honoring the pioneers and trailblazers who built the foundation that made such achievements possible.
Star-Studded Interview Lineup
The documentary features an impressive roster of women’s basketball legends and influential figures who provide perspective on the sport’s evolution and South Carolina’s place within that broader story.
Sheryl Swoopes, Lisa Leslie, Sue Bird, Geno Auriemma, Aliyah Boston, Rebecca Lobo, and A’ja Wilson are among those interviewed for the movie, representing multiple generations of excellence and various perspectives on the game’s development.
The Voices Featured
Sheryl Swoopes – A three-time Olympic gold medalist and WNBA legend who helped establish the professional league’s credibility and star power in its early years.
Lisa Leslie – Another WNBA pioneer and Olympic champion who became one of the sport’s most recognizable faces during her playing career.
Sue Bird – The legendary point guard whose career spanned over two decades and multiple championships, bridging generations of the sport’s evolution.
Geno Auriemma – The UConn head coach whose program set the standard for excellence in women’s college basketball and whose perspective on South Carolina’s achievement carries particular weight.
Aliyah Boston – The former South Carolina star and 2022 National Player of the Year who was instrumental in building the program’s championship foundation before the 2023-24 season.
Rebecca Lobo – Olympic gold medalist, former player, and current broadcaster who brings both playing experience and media insight to her commentary.
A’ja Wilson – Perhaps South Carolina’s greatest player ever, the two-time WNBA MVP and Olympic gold medalist who helped establish the program as a national power and whose legacy continues to influence the current team.
This collection of voices ensures the documentary provides multiple perspectives on South Carolina’s achievement and its significance within women’s basketball’s broader narrative.
Joyce Edwards: From Camden to Championship Contender
The trailer also shows numerous clips of Joyce Edwards in her high school days at Camden, offering viewers a glimpse into the journey of one of South Carolina’s current stars and providing context for her development into one of the nation’s elite players.
Edwards, who currently leads the 2025-26 Gamecocks in scoring and has emerged as one of the SEC’s most dominant players, represents the next generation building upon the championship foundation established by the 2023-24 team. Her inclusion in the documentary bridges the gap between that historic undefeated season and the current program’s continued excellence.
The footage of Edwards’ high school career at Camden High School in South Carolina provides an intimate look at her roots and development, showcasing the talent and work ethic that would eventually make her a cornerstone of the Gamecocks program.
Acclaimed Directors Behind the Project
“The Moment” was directed by Kristen Lappas and Sarah Springer, a directing team with established credibility in sports documentary filmmaking and particular expertise in telling women’s basketball stories.
Kristen Lappas: A Familiar Face to Gamecocks Fans
Lappas has been involved with the Gamecocks before, bringing established relationships and institutional knowledge to this project that likely provided unique access and insight.
She directed the “Full Court Press” documentary that followed Kamilla Cardoso during the 2023-24 season, giving her an insider’s perspective on that historic championship campaign and relationships with key program figures.
Beyond her South Carolina work, Lappas also directed “Dream On,” the ESPN 30 for 30 documentary on the 1996 USA women’s basketball Olympic team. The connection to South Carolina runs deep here as well: Staley was a player on that team and participated in the documentary, establishing a professional relationship and mutual trust that likely facilitated this new project.
Lappas’s track record of producing high-quality, emotionally resonant sports documentaries suggests “The Moment” will meet the high expectations surrounding its release.
South Carolina’s Documentary Dynasty
The Gamecocks’ recent success has spawned an impressive collection of documentary films, reflecting both the program’s excellence and the growing mainstream interest in women’s basketball storytelling.
Those are just two of several documentaries featuring South Carolina in recent years, with the program becoming perhaps the most documented in women’s college basketball.
Previous South Carolina Documentaries
“The Fastest 6 Weeks in Sports” followed Sania Feagin from the Final Four to the WNBA Draft to the beginning of her rookie season with the Los Angeles Sparks, providing viewers with an unprecedented look at the transition from college star to professional athlete.
This documentary captured the whirlwind period when college careers end and professional dreams begin, with all the uncertainty, excitement, and challenges that come with that life-changing transition.
“For the Culture” followed the Gamecocks’ 2019-20 season, documenting an earlier chapter in the program’s rise to national prominence and capturing the culture and identity that Dawn Staley has built in Columbia.
This film provided insight into the program’s values, team dynamics, and the experience of playing for one of the sport’s most successful and influential coaches.
Why South Carolina Attracts Documentarians
Several factors make South Carolina an attractive subject for documentary filmmakers:
- Consistent Excellence – The program’s sustained success provides compelling narratives of achievement and championship pursuit.
- Charismatic Leadership – Dawn Staley’s personality, coaching philosophy, and cultural impact extend beyond basketball into broader societal conversations.
- Historic Achievements – From perfect seasons to multiple championships, South Carolina has delivered moments worthy of preservation and celebration.
- Diverse Storylines – The program features players from various backgrounds with unique personal narratives that resonate with audiences.
- Cultural Significance – South Carolina’s success coincides with and contributes to women’s basketball’s broader cultural moment and mainstream breakthrough.
The 2023-24 Perfect Season: A Historic Achievement
The documentary’s focus on South Carolina’s 38-0 championship season is fitting given the historic nature of that accomplishment. The Gamecocks became just the 10th team in NCAA Division I women’s basketball history to complete an undefeated season, and the first since UConn in 2015-16.
Key Moments Likely Featured
While the full documentary’s contents remain to be seen, certain moments from that season seem likely to receive prominent treatment:
- Dawn Staley’s Coaching Brilliance – Her tactical adjustments, motivational approach, and ability to manage expectations and pressure throughout an undefeated season.
- Defensive Dominance – South Carolina’s suffocating defense that held opponents to historically low scoring totals and field goal percentages.
- Kamilla Cardoso’s Emergence – The dominant center’s development into one of the nation’s most impactful players.
- Championship Game – The Final Four run and national championship victory that completed the perfect season.
- Team Chemistry – The relationships, leadership, and culture that allowed the team to maintain focus and excellence across 38 consecutive victories.
The 50-Year Narrative: Women’s Basketball’s Evolution
By framing South Carolina’s perfect season within the context of women’s basketball’s 50-year rise, “The Moment” promises to educate viewers about the sport’s history while celebrating its current popularity.
The Historical Arc
The documentary likely traces key milestones in women’s basketball’s evolution:
- Title IX (1972) – The landmark legislation that mandated equal opportunities for women in education and athletics, fundamentally changing the landscape.
- Early Pioneers – The players and coaches who built programs and competed for recognition in the sport’s early decades.
- Professional Leagues – The establishment of the WNBA in 1997 and its survival through early challenges to become a stable professional option.
- Media Coverage Growth – The gradual increase in television coverage, media attention, and mainstream recognition.
- Recent Explosion – The current era of record attendance, television ratings, and cultural relevance exemplified by programs like South Carolina.
This historical context helps viewers understand that South Carolina’s success didn’t occur in a vacuum but represents the culmination of decades of progress, advocacy, and excellence by countless individuals.
Cultural Timing and Relevance
The documentary’s February 6 release comes at an ideal moment for women’s basketball. The sport is experiencing unprecedented popularity, with record attendance figures, television ratings, and social media engagement. South Carolina’s current season continues the program’s excellence, keeping the Gamecocks in the national conversation.
The timing also positions the documentary to generate additional interest heading into March Madness, when casual fans begin paying closer attention to college basketball and championship contenders like South Carolina attract heightened scrutiny.
What Viewers Can Expect
Based on Kristen Lappas’s previous work and the documentary’s described scope, viewers can likely anticipate:
- High Production Values – Professional cinematography, editing, and narrative structure befitting a major sports documentary.
- Emotional Resonance – Personal stories and intimate moments that connect viewers to the players and coaches beyond their on-court achievements.
- Historical Education – Archival footage and expert commentary providing context for women’s basketball’s evolution.
- Celebration of Excellence – Highlighting the skill, athleticism, and competitive excellence that made South Carolina’s perfect season possible.
- Cultural Commentary – Exploration of what South Carolina’s success means for women’s sports and representation more broadly.
The Broader Impact
“The Moment” arrives at a time when women’s basketball documentaries are helping to expand the sport’s audience and preserve its history for future generations. These films serve multiple purposes:
- Preserving History – Creating permanent records of achievements and cultural moments that might otherwise fade from collective memory.
- Attracting New Fans – Introducing the sport to viewers who might not regularly watch games but enjoy compelling sports storytelling.
- Inspiring Future Players – Showing young athletes what’s possible and providing role models who look like them.
- Validating the Sport – Major documentary releases signal that women’s basketball merits the same serious storytelling treatment as men’s sports.
- Building Legacy – Cementing the accomplishments of players and coaches in the cultural record.
Accessibility and Audience
The decision to release “The Moment” on Tubi rather than a subscription-based platform represents a strategic choice to maximize accessibility and audience reach. By eliminating financial barriers to viewing, the documentary can reach fans who might not be able to afford premium streaming services, as well as casual viewers who might not seek out women’s basketball content but will watch when it’s readily available.
This aligns with the broader goal of growing women’s basketball’s audience and ensuring that stories like South Carolina’s perfect season reach the widest possible viewership.
Conclusion: A Celebration Worth Watching
As “The Moment” prepares for its February 6 debut on Tubi, South Carolina fans and women’s basketball enthusiasts have much to anticipate. The combination of acclaimed directors, compelling subject matter, and star-studded interview lineup suggests a documentary worthy of the historic season it chronicles.
For Gamecocks supporters, the film offers an opportunity to relive one of the program’s greatest achievements while gaining deeper appreciation for the historical context that made it possible. For casual fans, it provides an accessible entry point into understanding women’s basketball’s significance and South Carolina’s role in the sport’s current cultural moment.
The documentary stands as both celebration and education, honoring those who built women’s basketball while showcasing the excellence that makes the sport compelling today. When it streams for free on Tubi starting February 6, viewers will have the opportunity to experience “The Moment” that half a century of progress made possible.
“The Moment” Release Information:
- Platform: Tubi (free streaming)
- Release Date: February 6, 2026
- Directors: Kristen Lappas and Sarah Springer
- Focus: South Carolina’s 2023-24 undefeated championship season within the context of women’s basketball’s 50-year evolution
- Featured Interviews: Sheryl Swoopes, Lisa Leslie, Sue Bird, Geno Auriemma, Aliyah Boston, Rebecca Lobo, A’ja Wilson, and others
Source: On3
