Who Voices Animal Characters in Basketball Movie

Caleb McLaughlin voices Will Harris, a teenage Boer goat with dreams of becoming a professional roarball player. Best known for playing Lucas Sinclair on Netflix’s “Stranger Things,” McLaughlin has earned an NAACP Image Award and a SAG Award as part of the show’s ensemble. His recent work includes Peacock’s “Shooting Stars,” Netflix’s “Concrete Cowboy” opposite Idris Elba and the Audible horror series “Sacrilege: Curse of the Mbirwi,” marking a standout turn in voice-driven storytelling.

Gabrielle Union lends her voice to Jett Filmore, a superstar black panther roarball player known as the “Face of the Thorns” and Will’s idol. Union is an actress, producer and best-selling author whose recent credits include Netflix’s “The Perfect Find,” A24’s “The Inspection” and the Amazon MGM hit “The Idea of You,” which she executive produced. Her filmography also includes “Bring It On,” “Bad Boys II,” “Love & Basketball” and the BET drama series “Being Mary Jane.”

NBA all-star Stephen Curry voices Lenny Williamson, a giraffe roarball player and member of the Thorns. Curry is a producer on the film, four-time NBA champion, 11-time All-Star, the league’s all-time leader in career three-pointer and an Olympic gold medalist. Off the court, he runs Unanimous Media, which has produced projects including “Underrated” and “Good Times,” and is the author of the New York Times bestseller “Shot Ready.”

David Harbour voices Archie Everhardt, an imposing rhinoceros enforcer for the Thorns and a devoted single father. Harbour is widely recognized for his Emmy-nominated role as Jim Hopper on Netflix’s “Stranger Things.” His recent work includes Marvel’s “Thunderbolts,” “Gran Turismo,” “Violent Night” and voice roles in DC’s animated series “Creature Commandos,” along with film turns in “Black Widow,” “No Sudden Move” and “Revolutionary Road.”

Aaron Pierre voices Mane Attraction, a dominant Andalusian horse and the league’s reigning MVP — and Will’s chief rival. Pierre recently voiced Mufasa in Disney’s “Mufasa: The Lion King” and earned critical acclaim for Netflix’s “Rebel Ridge,” which won the Emmy for outstanding television movie. His credits also include “The Underground Railroad,” “The Morning Show,” National Geographic’s “Genius: MLK/X” and the upcoming HBO DC series “Lanterns,” in which he stars as John Stewart.

Nicola Coughlan voices Olivia Burke, an ostrich roarball player and member of the Thorns. The Irish actress rose to global fame as Penelope Bridgerton in Netflix’s “Bridgerton” and as Clare Devlin in Channel 4’s beloved comedy “Derry Girls.” Her recent credits include Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie,” Channel 4’s dark comedy “Big Mood” and the 2024 “Doctor Who” Christmas special, “Joy to the World.”

Prolific comedian and producer Nick Kroll voices Modo Olachenko, a fire-breathing Komodo dragon and one of the Thorns’ most volatile players. Kroll is the co-creator and star of Netflix’s “Big Mouth,” as well as the creator of “Kroll Show” and a veteran of FX’s “The League.” He also executive produces FX’s “Adults.” His film credits include “Don’t Worry Darling,” “Get Him to the Greek” and “I Love You, Man,” along with voice roles in “Sing,” “The Addams Family” and “Sausage Party.”

Ayesha Curry voices the warmhearted llama Carol, who owns Whisker’s diner in Vineland. Carol is one of Will’s biggest supporters on his roarball journey; Will’s mom worked at Whisker’s, and it’s where he worked as a delivery driver. Most recently, Curry has appeared in the films “Irish Wish” and “Joy to the World.” She’s also married to NBA star Stephen Curry. 

Three-time NBA champion Dwyane Wade lends his voice to Rosette, a bull roarball player for the Swampland Shadows. Now retired, Wade got his start on the Miami Heat, going on to play for the Chicago Bulls and Cleveland Cavaliers before returning to the Heat. He co-owns the Utah Jazz and previously hosted the game show “The Cube.” He’s also the husband of Gabrielle Union, who voices star roarball player Jett. 

Kevin Love voices Daskas, a gorilla roarball player for the Swampland Shadows. A five-time All-Star and a two-time member of the All-NBA Second Team, Love currently plays for the Utah Jazz. He won an NBA championship in 2016 with the Cleveland Cavaliers. While “GOAT” is Love’s voice acting debut, he’s appeared on screen as himself in “Entourage,” “The Suite Life on Deck” and “The Trainer.” 

Chicago Sky star Angel Reese adds an acting credit to her resume in “GOAT,” lending her voice to roarball player Propp, a polar bear on the Shivers and one of the Thorn’s rivals in the league. A two-time WNBA all-star, Reese will also use her acting chops on the forthcoming second season of Netflix’s “The Hunting Wives.”

A’ja Wilson voices Kouyate, an American alligator who plays roarball for the Swampland Shadows. Considered one of the greatest of all time in the WNBA, Wilson is a star player on the Las Vegas Aces, where she’s played since being drafted first overall in 2018. With the team, she’s won MVP four times and helped lead the team to three championship titles. 

Zebra roarball referee Iggy is voiced by 19-year NBA veteran Andre Iguodala, who played for the Philadelphia 76ers, the Denver Nuggets, the Golden State Warriors and the Miami Heat over the course of his almost two-decade career. An NBA All-Star and four-time champion with the Warriors, Iguodala also served as a consultant on “GOAT,” helping to create actual plays for the roarball teams. He previously onscreen appearances include a one-episode cameo on “Abbott Elementary” and a guest role as himself on “Silicon Valley.”    

Rapper and country singer Jason Bradley DeFord, better known by his stage name Jelly Roll, will voice Grizz, a brutish grizzly bear roarball player. Performing since 2003, Jelly Roll rose to prominence in 2022 with the release of his singles “Son of a Sinner” and “Need a Favor.” He recently took home three awards at the 2026 Grammys, winning for Best Country Duo/Group Performance, Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance, and Best Contemporary Country Album for his 10th studio album, “Beautifully Broke.”

EGOT recipient Jennifer Hudson will appear as Louise Harris, Will’s mother. Hudson was inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2013 and has received numerous accolades for her work in music, film, television, and theater. Hudson’s film debut in “Dreamgirls” won her an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, making her the youngest African-American recipient of the award. Hudson also acted in Broadway’s “The Color Purple,” coached on U.K. and U.S. versions of “The Voice,” and launched her own talk show in 2022.

Andrew Santino voices roarball commentator Chuck, a musk ox. Best known for his stand-up, the comedian-turned-actor hosts the popular podcasts “Whiskey Ginger” and “Bad Friends” and released his latest special, “White Noise,” on Hulu in Sept. 2025. His previous acting credits include “Ricky Stanicky” and “Now You See Me: Now You Don’t.”

Alongside Chuck, Roarball commentator Rusty, a bat, is played by Bobby Lee. Rusty and Chuck are a dynamic duo, just like Santino and Lee in real life. The two host the popular “Bad Friends” podcast together. The stand-up comedian, actor and podcaster first got his start as a cast member on MADtv in the early 2000s, followed by roles in the series “Splitting Up Together” and movies including “Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle,” “Pineapple Express” and “The Dictator.”

Sherry Cola plays Hannah, an aardwolf and one of Will’s friends. Cola began her career in radio and comedy, making her acting debut in Amazon’s “I Love Dick.” She also starred as Alice Kwan in the Freeform series “Good Trouble,” and appeared on “Joy Ride,” “A Family Affair,” and “Nobody Wants This.”

Eduardo Franco will voice Will’s friend, a capybara named Daryl. Franco is best known for his role as Argyle in the Netflix hit series “Stranger Things.” He also previously appeared in the film “Booksmart,” “Gabby’s Dollhouse,” and the mockumentary series “American Vandal.”

Stand-up comedian Patton Oswalt is Dennis, a proboscis monkey and the Thorns’ coach. He previously appeared in the sitcom “The King of Queens,” and narrated for “The Goldbergs” as an adult Adam F. Goldberg. “Goat” is far from Oswalt’s first voice acting gig, with the actor previously voicing Remy in the animated film “Ratatouille” and appearing as various characters on “BoJack Horseman.”

Jenifer Lewis voices Flo Everson, a warthog and the formidable owner of the Vineland Thorns. Dubbed the “Mother of Black Hollywood,” Lewis starred for eight seasons on ABC’s “Black-ish” and has appeared in dozens of films, including “Sister Act,” “What’s Love Got to Do With It” and “Think Like a Man.” A celebrated voice actor, she has lent her talents to projects such as “The Princess and the Frog,” “Cars” and “Ralph Breaks the Internet.”

Wayne Knight is Frank, a gerbil and Will’s landlord. Knight is known for his recurring roles on the NBC sitcoms  “Seinfeld” and “3rd Rock From the Sun.” Knight has previous experience with voice work as well, voicing characters in “Toonsylvania,” “Xiaolin Showdown,” “Catscratch,” and “Legend of the Three Caballeros.”