Rez Ball Cast & Character Guide

Netflix Rez Ball is deeply rooted in Native American culture and issues, and its cast of characters is too. Although it is a work of fiction, Rez Ball is inspired by a true story, and his story is widely applicable. To help show how universal the film’s themes and messages are to Indigenous people, most of the film’s cast are Native Americans. That makes Rez Ball A great example of representation in film, but it also gave quite a few up-and-coming actors a chance to show how much star power they have.

on its surface, Rez Ball is a fairly familiar sports movie about teamwork, perseverance and the will to win. On a deeper level, however, the film also touches on some serious topics such as the problems affecting Native American reservations, the connective power of basketball for the Navajo nation and the strength of indigenous communities. The deeper messages make Rez Ball One of the best movies on Netflix, and the film’s cast made it possible for the messages to have the maximum effect possible.

Kauchani Bratt as Jimmy Holiday

Date of Birth: Unknown

Actor: Kauchani Bratt grew up in San Francisco, California. Bratt had never acted professionally before, so his breakthrough role came in Rez Ball. Before that, Bratt had only ever taken acting classes at his alma mater, the University of California at Santa Cruz. He graduated from UCSC in 2023, with a bachelor’s degree in philosophy (via UCSC). Bratt also played collegiate basketball at another college, Cañada College, before transferring to UCSC, which certainly came in handy for Rez Ball.

Character: in Rez BallKauchani Bratt plays Jimmy Holiday, the best friend of Nataanii Jackson, captain of the Chuska Warriors, and protagonist of the movie. Jimmy originally dreamed of leaving the Navajo reservation with Nataanii when they got to college, and his world was rocked by his friend’s death. Jimmy is then tasked with stepping up to replace Nataanii as the Warriors captain and lead them to victory.

Jessica Matten as Heather Hobbs

Date of Birth: Possibly November 3, 1985

Actor: Jessica Matten was born in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Matten is a popular actor in both Canada and the United States, and as such, has two breakthrough roles: Blackstone For Canadian audiences, and Dark winds For American viewers. In addition to these roles, Maten took on various shows, from the historical fiction series Frontier to the modern-day police procedural Tribal. Maten is also involved in a lot of philanthropy, aimed at helping Native American communities.

Character: in Rez BallMatten plays Heather Hobbs, a former WNBA player and the current head coach of the Chuska Warriors. Initially, Heather was antagonized by the Navajo Nation for the Warriors’ poor performance, and she could not find employment as a coach at the collegiate level. Then, to help build team spirit, Heather introduced her players to more traditional Navajo customs and training, like herding sheep.

Devin Sampson-Craig as Bryson Badonie

Date of birth: possibly 2004

Actor: Devin Sampson-Craig graduated from White Swan High School in White Swan, Washington. Although his breakthrough role was in Rez BallSampson-Craig is one of the few young actors in the movie with a previous acting credit. In 2018, he starred in a short film, Guardian ancestorwhere he played Terrence (by Artist Trust). Sampson-Craig is also involved in other media projects outside of acting, as he also runs a podcast.

Character: in Rez BallDevin Sampson-Craig plays Bryson Badonie, the free-spirited shooting guard who often clashes with Jimmy. Bryson was one of the few players who knew Navajo fluently before Jimmy implemented the language into their playing profession, but he also provided some trouble for the Warriors by fighting with his teammates and prioritizing partying. Bryson has a child with a player on the girls’ team, Dezbah Weaver.

Julia Jones as Gloria Holliday

Date of birth: January 23, 1981

Actor: Julia Jones was born in Jamaica Plain, Boston, Massachusetts. Jones’ first major movie role was in The Twilight Saga: Eclipsewhere she played Leah Clearwater, a werewolf. Jones has had an extensive filmography since then, appearing in all manner of movies and shows, from science fiction to The Mandalorian To Westerners like wind river And even drama series like Dexter: New Blood.

Character: in Rez BallJulia Jones plays Gloria Holliday, Jimmy’s mother, a former basketball prodigy, and a recovering alcoholic. Gloria and Jimmy initially have a very contentious relationship, and she fails to provide for her son emotionally or financially due to her drinking habits. At the end of Rez BallHowever, Gloria learns to be better, face the consequences of her past, and stand up for her son.

Kusem Godwind as Nathaniel Jackson

Date of Birth: Unknown

Actor: Kusem Goodwind is a citizen of the Coeur d’Alene Tribe. Rez Ball Is Goodwind’s first time acting, but not his first time performing. In addition to acting and playing basketball, Goodwind also models, and recently walked in the Southwestern Association for Indian Arts’ 2023 fashion event (via SWAIA Native Fashion).

Character: in Rez BallKusem Goodwind plays Nataanii Jackson, Jimmy Holiday’s best friend and the star player of the Chuska Warriors. Early in the film, Nataanii commits suicide due to his grief of losing his mother and sister. His death weighs heavily on his friends, teammates, and the entire Navajo Nation, and even though he’s gone for the rest of the movie, his presence was palpable.

Zoey Rice as Krista

Date of birth: August 25, 1998

Actor: Zoey Reyes is a black and indigenous actor and model. Reyes’ breakthrough acting role is Rez BallBut she made a name for herself in other areas as well. Like Kusem Goodwind, Reyes has also modeled for SWAIA Native Fashion and other modeling agencies, and she is also a contemporary artist (via Zozories on Instagram).

Character: in Rez BallZoey Reyes plays Krista, Jimmy’s co-worker at Blake’s and his eventual love interest. Christa mentions that she tutors kindergarteners in Navajo, and agrees to help Jimmy and some of his teammates learn how to call plays in the language. Krista also shared how important the Navajo community was to her, saying it was a big reason she enjoyed her job at the restaurant.

Rez Ball Support Cast & Characters

Amber Midthunder as Desbah Weaver: Midthunder plays Dezbah Weaver, a member of the girls’ basketball team, Bryson Badonie’s girlfriend, and the mother of his child. Midthunder is best known for preywhere she played Naru, and for portraying Princess Yu in the live-action adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender.

River Rayne Thomas as Tyson YazzieThomas plays Tyson Yazzie, the center for the Chuska Warriors. Thomas has two acting roles outside of Rez Ball: in The Adventures of ARI: My Robot Friend and in The abandonment.

Henry Wilson Jr. as Leland Tom: Wilson Jr. plays Leland Tom, a bench player for the Chuska Warriors who also ran for the school’s cross country team. Rez Ball is Wilson Jr.’s first and only acting credit.

Ernest Tsosie III as Benny Begaye: Tsosie plays Benny Begaye, the assistant coach Heather recruits who is also familiar with Navajo traditions. Tsosi is best known for movies like 5th post And Mail post 398.

Sam Grisel as Mason Troy: Griesel plays Mason Troy, the star player of the Santa Fe Catholic Coyotes, and a rival of Jimmy’s in particular. Griesel had never acted professionally before, so Rez Ball Serves as his breakthrough role.

Sources: UCSC, Artist Trust, SWAIA Native Fashion, Zozories on Instagram