Washington DC, Feb. 23 -- Actress Sanaa Lathan has opened up about the physical and emotional challenges she faced while filming the 2000 romantic sports drama 'Love & Basketball', revealing that the experience was far from easy, according to People.

Speaking during a panel discussion, Lathan reflected on her first reaction to the script and her deep connection to the character of Monica Wright, a fiercely ambitious young basketball player. The film, directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood, starred Lathan opposite Omar Epps, who played her childhood neighbor and love interest, Quincy McCall.

"I read the script and I was like - I gotta play this role. It was a page turner. I cried every time I read it," Lathan said. "I had come from theater, w...