Doc Hightower

**Doc Hightower** is a recurring character on Peacock's modern-day reinterpretation, *Bel-Air*. He is portrayed by Brooklyn McLinn.

Doc Hightower is a driven basketball recruiter and AAU Coach who is impressed by Will's game at Bel-Air Academy.

## Biography

Doc is approached by Will, who is hoping to possibly acquire his mentorship, but Doc doesn't have time for him, as the game is about to begin. However, Will does manage to gain his attention after beating Big Dre in a one on one game. Only then does Doc reveal that he already knows who Will. In Philly, he was averaging 25 points a game, but he's only averaging 17 at Bel-Air Academy, most likely sharing the time with a bunch of kids who shouldn't even be on the court. While Will may have heart, Doc isn't currently taking on any more clients. However, later that night, after learning that Will's family is wealthy, Doc reaches out to inform Will that he'll be attending his next game.

As promised, Doc attends Will's game, though he is disappointed when Will doesn't take the game-winning shot and explains to him that all that matters is if they win. The following night, Doc approaches Will in the club and pulls him to the side to chat. Doc believes that Bel Air has made Will and his game soft. He has to showcase his talents where they'll be appreciated, that being AAU, where real players are guided to the best colleges. There's a way that Doc came to make it work where Will plays for Bel Air, as well as Doc's team. And so, Doc attends Will's next game, where he leads his team to victory. Afterward, he is approached by Phil, who says that any further discussions about Will should go through him.

At Viv's behest, Doc reaches out to Will and encourages him and Uncle Phil to come down to his facility, where they discuss the contract and how not only Will benefits, but Doc as well. He has kids making upwards of $80,000 before they even graduate high school. Doc doesn't make a penny off anyone who isn't making a lot more. The world is always telling young black boys to change who they are to be great, but Doc argues it's what they've been through that makes them great. He doesn't want to quiet what's inside of Will, he wants to bring it out. However, Uncle Phil is also concerned with the percentage Doc is requesting, to which he responds that most people understand his value, Viv included, considering that she sought him out, leading Uncle Phil to leave abruptly with Will. Nevertheless, Phil later returns with a revised contract in support of Will's enrollment with Doc.

Will has begun his training at Doc's Zenith Hype facility, though Doc is rather unimpressed, especially in comparison to some of his other players, who taunt Will and his inability to keep up. Doc understands that the first day is always tough and gives Will a copy of *Outliers* by Malcolm Gladwell and tells him to keep putting in the time. Later, he drops Jackie off at Viv's gallery, where he tells Will not to sell him self short and that D1 schools are looking for leaders.

When Will brings Jackie home drunk, Doc takes her inside and returns to the front porch to thank Will for looking after her. She's strong, but she has her demons. Doc's little sister had Jackie when she was in high school. Doc pretty much raised Jackie himself and is trying to make sure she doesn't pay for her mother's mistakes. They do what they have to for family. Will would be in a cell or a casket if not for his uncle, who is from an entirely different world from him or Doc. Doc then concludes that Uncle Phil got Will out of trouble back in Philly. The following day, Doc announces that Will is running with the ones today, given that Brian didn't come in.

After being exposed by his former business partner for accepting bribes from colleges and agents, Doc tells Will that he never lied to him and reminds him of his promise to help Will reach his dreams and turn him into a savage on the court. However, Will now sees Doc as nothing more than someone who's just trying to hustle his way to the top.

Later, Doc receives a visit from Phil and Geoffrey. He informs them about his ex-business partner Lorenzo. He and Doc were like brothers and used to run the neighborhood together, but he started taking money from street dudes, and in return, they wanted a piece of the players and their future, which Doc refused. He tried to buy Lorenzo out, but he'd rather see the place burn down than succeed without him. Lorenzo is threatening to expose him if he doesn't get what he wants, which means that every player will be ineligible to play college ball. This thing with Lorenzo has been brewing for a while, and Doc knew he could use someone like Phil, revealing that he knows how Phil got Will out of his gun charge. Doc believes they can come to an arrangement, but he needs "a little bit of that Philip Banks gangsta shit."

After Phil agrees to help him, Doc calls Lorenzo over to discuss coming to an agreement. Doc questions how long is Lorenzo going to hold on to this grudge, to which he replies until Doc comes off of his high horse, accusing him of being too good for hood money and forgetting where he came from. Phil reveals that all the boys on the team are at home, scared to death that their dreams could get snatched because Doc and Lorenzo can't get past their differences. Doc is offering Lorenzo a generous buyout in exchange for his silence, which Lorenzo accepts.

## Appearances

### Season 2

* A Fresh Start
* Speaking Truth
* Don't Kill My Vibe
* Excellence Is Everywhere
* Under Pressure
* Pursuit of Happiness
* Just Like Old Times
* Don't Look Back

## References

1. ↑ Season 2, Episode 1: ***A Fresh Start***
2. ↑ Season 2, Episode 2: ***Speaking Truth***
3. ↑ Season 2, Episode 4: ***Don't Kill My Vibe***
4. ↑ Season 2, Episode 5: ***Excellence Is Everywhere***
5. ↑ Season 2, Episode 7: ***Under Pressure***
6. ↑ Season 2, Episode 8: ***Pursuit of Happiness***
7. ↑ Season 2, Episode 8: ***Just Like Old Times***
8. ↑ Season 2, Episode 8: ***Don't Look Back***