**New Documentary Revisits the Rise, Fall, and Redemption of Ole Miss Legend Johnny Neumann—An Intimate Look at the Brilliant but Tumultuous Journey of a Basketball Prodigy Who Redefined Rebel Hoops and Paid the Price for His Boldest Decisions**
In a gripping new documentary, filmmakers turn the spotlight on one of the most fascinating—and often forgotten—figures in college basketball history: Johnny Neumann. Titled *“One and Done: The Johnny Neumann Story,”* the film explores the dazzling highs and heartbreaking lows of a player who lit up the hardwood for the Ole Miss Rebels and changed the trajectory of college hoops forever.
At the height of his powers, Johnny Neumann was nothing short of electric. In the 1970–71 season, he averaged an astounding 40.1 points per game—still one of the highest single-season scoring averages in NCAA history. A wiry, confident guard with an almost mystical scoring ability, Neumann captivated the nation and turned Oxford, Mississippi, into the epicenter of basketball brilliance. But as the documentary shows, brilliance often walks hand-in-hand with burden.
With compelling interviews from former teammates, coaches, sports historians, and Neumann’s family, the film reveals the intense pressure Johnny faced both on and off the court. At just 20 years old, after only one season at Ole Miss, he made the fateful decision to leave college early to turn pro—at a time when early departures were rare and risky. That decision, fueled by dreams of NBA stardom and financial need, sent Neumann on a turbulent journey through the ABA, overseas leagues, and ultimately personal battles with addiction, regret, and redemption.
The documentary doesn’t shy away from Neumann’s missteps or struggles, but it balances them with a deep sense of empathy and admiration. Archival footage of his games reminds viewers of his jaw-dropping talent, while candid conversations with those who knew him best paint a portrait of a complicated, passionate man who was both ahead of his time and undone by it.
Perhaps most moving is the film’s final act, which chronicles Neumann’s later years as he found peace through coaching, mentoring, and reconnecting with Ole Miss. Though his name might not ring as loudly as others in the pantheon of basketball legends, *“One and Done”* makes a powerful case for remembering Johnny Neumann—not just as a shooting star, but as a man whose story is equal parts tragedy, triumph, and timeless in
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