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Mark Wahlberg Is Turning a Former NBA Star's Life Into a Movie

The "Tuff Juice" book spoke to the Hollywood A-Lister.

Mark Wahlberg was one of the many people impressed with former NBA All-Star Caron Butler's autobiography, Tuff Juice: My Journey from the Streets to the NBA.

So much so that the Hollywood A-lister has come to terms with Butler to produce a movie about his life.

According to a press release Tuesday, the two sides signed on to work together to officially begin turning the book into a film.

“I wanted to tell my story because I’m living proof that it is possible to overcome adversity and make a better life for yourself and your family,” Butler said, as part of the press release. “The response from the book was overwhelming and when someone like Mark Wahlberg tells you that your life could be a movie, you listen. I’m excited to take the next step towards sharing my story with an even larger audience and it’s a blessing to have someone as well-known and respected as Mark Wahlberg by my side.” 

Before going on to star at UConn and playing 14 years in the NBA, including back-to-back All-Star appearances from 2007-08, Butler sold crack cocaine as a troubled youth, being arrested 15 times before turning 15 years old, according to The Oklahoman. Crazy.

While playing for the Los Angeles Clippers in 2011, Butler met Wahlberg and the two became friends, paving the way for this collaboration.

“[Caron is] a perfect example to all the young kids growing up in tough neighborhoods to never give up on your dreams," Wahlberg said in the same press release.

Caron even has a dream actor in mind to portray his life story on the big screen — none other than Michael B. Jordan.

"I think he would do a great job sharing my story," Butller told TMZ Sports of the young actor.

We couldn't agree more.

BET Sports News — Get the latest news and information about African-Americans in sports, including weekly recaps, celebrity news and photos of your favorite Black athletes.

(Photos from left: Michael Buckner/Getty Images for CinemaCon, Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

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