[2] Directed by Scott Kalvert[3] in his feature directorial debut and based on an autobiographical novel by the same name written by Jim Carroll.

It tells the story of Carroll's teenage years as a promising high school basketball player and writer who develops an addiction to heroin.

[4] Distributed by New Line Cinema,[5] The Basketball Diaries stars Leonardo DiCaprio as Carroll, along with Bruno Kirby, Lorraine Bracco, Ernie Hudson, Patrick McGaw, James Madio, Michael Imperioli, and Mark Wahlberg in supporting roles.

[7] The film was widely released in theaters on April 21, 1995, to mixed reviews and grossed $2.4 million at the box office.

Outside of basketball, Jim shows an artistic interest in writing; keeping his work in his journal while expressing his thoughts and creating poetry.

Later, after a trip to a strip show cut short by an annoyed Bobby, he dies, and Jim and his friends attend his funeral days later.

Jim, Mickey, and Pedro from then on only live for their next score as homeless addicts; one later excursion has them break into a candy shop for money.

Hearing sirens, Jim and Mickey escape, but Pedro, too high and hungover to realize the situation, is left behind and arrested.

Jim was convicted and sentenced to six months' incarceration at Rikers Island for assault, robbery, resisting arrest, and possession of narcotics.

The websites critical consensus states "In spite of its young leading man's heroic efforts to hold it all together, a muddled message prevents The Basketball Diaries from compelling as a cautionary tale.

[18][19] The Basketball Diaries soundtrack was released in 1995 by PolyGram to accompany the film, featuring songs from Pearl Jam and PJ Harvey.