Utah Jazz: Paul Millsap may soon be at the movies

SALT LAKE CITY — Paul Millsap might soon be headed to the big screen.

Well, an actor portraying the Utah Jazz's backup power forward might be, at least.

Actor and producer Danny Trejo has bought the movie rights to the inspiring story of Millsap and DeAngelo Simmons, the player's uncle and agent, with hopes of making a heart-warming rags-to-riches sports movie a la "Blind Side," according to the Hollywood entertainment news Web site Deadline.com.

The movie will be called "Ambition," with filming planned to begin later this year. Trejo, a rugged-looking ex-convict best known for his role in "Heat" and the "Spy Kids" flicks, will finance the project with ITN Films partner Gil Medina.

The movie's storyline will be based on how Simmons helped his sister — Millsap's mom, Bettye — keep her four boys off of the rough Louisiana streets after his own basketball career ended.

With Simmons' mentoring, hoops turned out to be a lifeline for the talented Millsap brothers. John went on to become a professional player in the CBA and D-League; Elijah plays college ball for Alabama-Birmingham; Abraham played for Brighton High School; and, of course, Paul has been a steady force off the bench for the Jazz for the past four years after leading the NCAA in rebounding for three consecutive seasons at Louisiana Tech.

"Ambition" will also delve into how Simmons made himself into a sports agent, eventually helping Millsap land a four-year, $32 million contract with the Jazz.

Simmons and Trejo met while they both worked on an upcoming action movie called "Vengeance," according to Deadline.com. Millsap's story apparently hit home for Trejo, whose struggles with drugs and the law prior to becoming a familiar tough-looking bad guy in numerous Hollywood productions are well-documented.

e-mail: jody@desnews.com