BALTIMORE COUNTY, MD — A Catonsville teenager has landed a spot in a new show airing on Apple TV+. Elijah Jacob, 16, appears in Swagger, a drama based loosely on the early life of NBA star Kevin Durant.
“It’s a show that’s about basketball but it also represents more than basketball, so you’ll see a lot of race-related things and a lot of morals that are behind the show that people have to pay attention and actually watch when they see it,” Jacob told 11 News. “It’s super cool. I mean Apple is like one of the best. It was just a lot of fun — the cast, the crew and everything.”
Jacob plays the role of Earl, one of the kids on the basketball team.
“I think my character represents the kid who never really got his shot because he was overlooked and then he finally comes back and is better and just continues to advance,” Jacob said.
Jacob isn’t a stranger to TV though. He starred opposite David Schwimmer in AMC’s series Feed the Beast at age 10. He’s also eyeing a new role on a Disney pilot show.
“I just love being able to place someone else and being able to have a whole separate life and a whole separate environment, and just feeling the role and I just love it,” Jacob said.
Durant grew up in Prince George’s County and played basketball at National Christian Academy in Fort Washington, Md.; Oak Hill Academy in Mouth of Wilson, Vir.; and Rockville’s Montrose Christian School. He played one season at the University of Texas before he was drafted by the Seattle SuperSonics in 2007.
