ESPN Classic brings back Coach Reeves, Salami, Hayward, Coolidge and the rest of the Carver High basketball crew in The White Shadow. The late 1970s/early 80s series will air Monday - Friday at 10 a.m. ET.

The series made its debut in November 1978, and had a three-year run.

Wednesday, Jan. 2 at 10 a.m. ET
"The White Shadow" pilot episode

Ken Reeves of the Chicago Bulls finds himself on the sidelines when a knee injury takes him out of the spotlight. Unable to come back, Reeves ends up in Los Angeles after his former college roommate, Principal Jim Willis, talks him into taking over as coach of the basketball team at Carver High School. Reeves does not know what to make of this group of inner-city kids, but can see that they have potential. While trying to exert his authority during the first game, Reeves clashes with one of his players, James Hayward, and pushes him against a locker. When Hayward quits school following the incident, Coach Reeves visits James at home and discovers the everyday struggles of living in the ghetto. He then realizes that he isn't just a coach, but also a guidance counselor, a friend, and a mentor to his players. With his work cut out for him, Coach Reeves struggles to help his players deal with family illness, failing grades, and legal problems while also trying to build them into a winning team.

Thursday, Jan. 3 at 10 a.m. ET
"Bonus Baby"

After winning the MVP award at the annual city invitational tournament, Carver High star Warren Coolidge is walking on air. His outstanding performance also draws the attention of local sports agent Walter Preston. Preston's agenda, however, does not have Coolidge's best interests in mind as he tries to convince Warren to drop out of high school, skip college, and enter the NBA draft. Coolidge is taken in by fancy cars, fine jewelry, and a beautiful woman as he convinces himself that he is a one-man team who could jump right into the professional ranks. Coach Reeves, though, sees through Preston's plans and attempts to show Coolidge what his future could be like if he gives up on his youth and tries to grow up too soon.

Friday, Jan. 4 at 10 a.m. ET
"Wanna Bet?"

Local playground sensation Bobby Magnum dreams of one day reaching the NBA. Until then, he is content to perfect his skills against playground competition while also making a living betting on himself. While on a blind date, Coach Reeves notices Bobby and becomes convinced that Magnum is the missing piece to Carver winning the city championship. It takes some effort to convince both Bobby and Vice-principal Buchanan, but Magnum eventually enrolls at Carver and joins the team. Despite some initial reluctance on the part of the team, Bobby comes to be accepted as a friend and a teammate by the other players. What Reeves and the team don't know about, though, are Bobby's ties to a local bookie. After a burglary at his home and the murder of Magnum's bookie, Coach Reeves must decide if he can trust Bobby, and Bobby must decide if he can change his life, before it's too late. Former UCLA All-American Mike Warren guest stars as Bobby Magnum.

Monday, Jan. 7 at 10 a.m. ET
"That Old Gang Of Mine"

Carver High player Ricky Gomez finds himself dismissed from the basketball team when teacher evaluations reveal that he is failing all of his classes. With too much free time on his hands, Gomez falls back into his old habits, returning to a violent street gang. When Coach Reeves discovers that Gomez is cutting classes and has joined a street gang, he approaches Ricky's teachers in an attempt to change their minds about Gomez's failing grades. Reeves tries to explain to them that Gomez isn't failing school, but the school is failing him, but his complaints fall on deaf ears. After Gomez's mother approaches Coach Reeves about a gun found in Ricky's closet, Reeves must rush to prevent a gang fight before Gomez loses more than just a chance to play basketball.

Tuesday, Jan. 8 at 10 a.m. ET
"Airball"

When another team is forced to drop out of the San Jose High School Basketball Tournament, the Carver High squad is asked to fill in. The players are excited about the chance to play in a prestigious statewide tournament, but they are equally nervous about their first trip on an airplane. What begins as an enjoyable first flight turns sour as the plane develops mechanical trouble and has to return to Los Angeles. Tensions run high as Coach Reeves and his players ponder their mortality and brace for an emergency landing.

Wednesday, Jan. 9 at 10 a.m. ET
"Just One Of The Boys"

Coach Reeves welcomes a new player to the team when Raymond Collins transfers to Carver High. In an attempt to find out more about his new player, Reeves asks Vice-principal Buchanan about Collins' past. Buchanan confides in Reeves that Collins left his former school after rumors began circulating that he was gay. After similar rumors start at Carver, Coach Reeves must deal with not only his team's concerns, but also his own insecurities about homosexuality. When Collins quits the basketball team, Coach Reeves elicits Vice-principal Buchanan's help in convincing Raymond not to run away from his problems, but to stand up for who he is.

Thursday, Jan. 10 at 10 a.m. ET
"Spare The Rod"

Coach Reeves learns an important lesson - that not every troubled kid can be saved. The problems start when the coach is asked to take over a gym class for a sick teacher. During the first class he encounters Lucius Robinson, a student with a checkered past and no interest in gym class. What begins as a request for Lucius to participate in class rapidly deteriorates into the two exchanging punches. After a hearing with the principal, Lucius is expelled, and Coach Reeves is encouraged by his peers to press charges against Lucius to set an example for other problem students. While conflicted over whether he should press charges in lieu of trying to help Robinson, Reeves also has to deal with his team, who are questioning his actions against their friend Lucius. Remorseful from the beginning about hitting a student, Reeves approaches Robinson's parents about possible solutions and comes to believe that Lucius can be saved. In the end, though, he discovers how troubled Lucius truly is.

Friday, Jan. 11 at 10 a.m. ET
"The Great White Dope"

When Coach Reeves finds out that one of his players, Salami Pettrino, has been boxing illegally in the backrooms of local bars, he tells Salami that his boxing career is over. But once Reeves sees what boxing means to Salami's self-esteem, he not only relents, but also agrees to be his trainer. Salami's biggest fight, though, is with his father, a former professional boxer, who does not want his son following in his footsteps and who orders Coach Reeves to stop training his son. Feeling betrayed, Salami quits the team and returns to fighting in the bars. In a final attempt to steer Salami in the right direction, Reeves enlists a couple of friends from the gym to assist him in showing Mr. Pettrino the possible future his son faces as a boxer. The question is whether Mr. Pettrino will help guide his son down the right path, or let him drift down the wrong one. World welterweight champion Carlos Palomino guest stars.

Did You Know?
ESPN basketball analyst Jay Bilas appeared on an episode. Then a 16-year-old high school sophomore, Bilas portrayed an opposing team member. "I had a great time doing that episode," said Bilas. "I remember thinking that all the guys were just high schoolers like me, so I was surprised to find out they were all in their twenties and thirties, and none of them could play, except for Coolidge!"