Juancho Hernangómez of the Utah Jazz never planned on being an actor, but it’s too late now. His role in the new Adam Sandler sports drama Hustle is crucial: As up-and-coming basketball player Bo Cruz, Hernangómez is responsible for the movie’s most dazzling basketball moments. But he’s also the film’s passionate heart, which you can see on display in the Jazz player’s audition tape, a Tudum exclusive. 

Watch Juancho Hernangómez Audition for Hustle

As seen in the tape, Hernangómez’s Hollywood journey started with a bit of filmmaking of his own. “We did videos with my sister and my brother,” he tells Tudum. “We didn’t know how to do the auditions. So, we just put the camera in the kitchen and we just played. So, it was kind of crazy because I don’t know what they expected or what they saw in me.” 

As it turns out, they saw an actor who was not only convincing on the court but also had the potential to command your attention without a basketball in hand. Take for example the scene where he has a heated argument with Sandler’s character, which he read for his audition. What’s really surprising about the NBA star’s tape isn’t just the fire in his belly as he reads that scene but how compelling his presence is even when the tables have turned in the argument and he’s simply listening.

“I took a look at his tape and he was a really funny, cool, charismatic guy — handsome as hell,” Sandler said about his first impression of Hernangómez. “He just was really natural, really real. [With Hernangómez on board,] we knew we had something that no one could doubt. That’s a real hooper.”

Hustle is streaming now.