The Film

An unprecedented, intimate look at the five young men who served as Coach Bob Knight's very first recruiting class at Indiana University.

About the Documentary

Featuring rare footage and deeply personal insights from the players themselves.

Molded by Knight's legendary iron will, this core group of players put everything on the line to revive a struggling Hoosier basketball program.

Their sacrifice ultimately laid the cornerstone for one of the most dominant dynasties in college basketball history, nearly achieving a perfect season in the process. FIRST FIVE captures the raw emotion, intense discipline, and modernization of the game that defined the early era of Bob Knight's tenure.

The film chronicles how these five athletes embraced a grueling standard of excellence to cement a lasting basketball empire — told through their own voices, decades later, with the perspective only time can provide.

What the Film Explores

Themes

Iron Will

Bob Knight's legendary discipline and demanding standards transformed five young men into the foundation of a dynasty. The film captures the raw intensity of his coaching philosophy.

Sacrifice

These players gave everything — enduring grueling practices, public scrutiny, and relentless pressure — to build something larger than themselves.

Legacy

Their sacrifice nearly produced a perfect season and laid the cornerstone for one of the most dominant programs in college basketball history.

Recruiting Class of 1971

The First Five

Steve Ahlfeld

Wabash, IN

Ahlfeld brought grit and defensive intensity that mirrored Knight's own competitive fire. His commitment to the program's demanding standards helped forge the culture of excellence.

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Doug Allen

Champaign, IL

The lone out-of-state recruit, Allen brought a different perspective and complementary skill set. His willingness to adapt to Knight's system was a testament to the program's growing reach.

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Steve Green

Sellersburg, IN

A versatile forward and Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame inductee whose relentless work ethic set the standard for Knight's program from day one. Green embodied the selfless, team-first mentality that would define Indiana basketball for generations.

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John Kamstra

Rossville, IN

A tough, physical presence who embraced the grueling demands of Knight's system. Kamstra's toughness in practice and games helped establish the physical identity of the program.

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John Laskowski

South Bend, IN

A sharpshooting guard and Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame inductee (1999) from South Bend Saint Joseph High School. Laskowski's scoring ability and court vision gave the Hoosiers a dangerous offensive weapon in the early Knight era, and his legacy endures as one of the program's foundational figures.

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In Memoriam

Wayne Radford & Coach Bob Knight

We honor the memory of Wayne Radford and Coach Bob Knight — two giants of Indiana basketball whose legacies live on in every player they touched and every game they shaped.

Wayne Radford, Steve Green, and John Laskowski share a joyful moment on the bench — Coach Bob Knight looking on in the background. A snapshot of the brotherhood that defined Indiana basketball.

Wayne Radford

Indiana Hoosiers · 1974–1978

A beloved Hoosier and teammate, Wayne Radford's warmth, talent, and spirit left an indelible mark on Indiana basketball. His memory is carried forward by all who had the privilege of playing alongside him.

Coach Bob Knight

Head Coach, Indiana University · 1971–2000

Coach Bob Knight built a dynasty at Indiana University, winning three national championships and shaping the lives of hundreds of young men. His demanding standard of excellence and fierce loyalty to his players defined an era of college basketball that will never be forgotten.

Coach Knight · Through the Years