According to an interview in 2018 by Omar Epps on the Breakfast Club, the infamous pool stick scene wasn't originally written in the script. LL Cool J brought the idea to the directors because he really wanted to show his range as an actor.
According to Omar Epps in several interviews, In Too Deep is based (loosely) on the true story of an undercover police officer who infiltrated an inner-city drug empire and took down the crimelord in charge. The undercover cop later committed suicide as a result of being "in too deep" in his undercover character role within the criminal organization.
LL Cool J & Omar Epps later on starred in the 1st episode of the 2nd season of House (2004) called Acceptance. LL Cool J played a Death Row Inmate.
LL Cool J's wife Pam (Veronica Webb) was also featured on his 1989 album cover for "Walking With A Panther".