Her Baby Didn't Block Her Jump Shot 2026

Overview

Her Baby Didn't Block Her Jump Shot is a 2026 short film directed by Emily Lobsenz that examines the history of girls playing 6-on-6 basketball in Iowa prior to the implementation of Title IX. The narrative follows a high school athlete named Jane, who experienced significant success on the court during the late 1960s and early 1970s. As a freshman in 1969, Jane led her team to a state tournament, and by 1970, she was recording games with over 40 points. Her career faced a major obstacle in 1971 when she gave birth, as state rules rendered her ineligible to continue playing. In 1972, supported by her coach and friends, Jane challenged the league's policies regarding motherhood and femininity. She specifically contested a rule that permitted boys involved in a pregnancy to keep playing while denying the same opportunity to girls. The film documents her efforts to demand the right to play basketball despite the league's exclusionary standards, highlighting her role in a landmark challenge against these gender-based restrictions.