Man on Fire with Yahya Abdule Mateen II

Ballislife’s The Winning Formula sits down with Yahya Abdul-Mateen II for a wide-ranging conversation that blends film, culture, and basketball at the highest level. Yahya breaks down his latest project, Man on Fire, diving into the mindset behind the role, the preparation it takes to bring intensity to the screen, and what drew him to the story in the first place. From there, the conversation shifts to hoops—the rise of the 1v1 scene, and why that style of play is becoming such a major part of basketball culture. It’s a conversation about discipline, creativity, and what it really means to compete—whether you’re on set or on the court