
Sakuragi Hanamichi is a junior high punk used to getting into fights and being rejected by girls but upon entering high school he meets the girl of his dreams, Haruko Akagi. He will do anything in order to win her heart including joining the school basketball team that is aiming to conquer the nation lead by Haruko's brother. The problem is that Sakuragi has never played basketball before and a freshman sensation is stealing the spotlight and Haruko's affection from him.






Hanamichi Sakuragi, an entering Shohoku high school freshman holds a record for being rejected by 50 girls during middle school.
Rukawa, the object of Haruko's affection, runs into Hanamichi on the school roof.
Gori and Hanamichi's confrontation continues, and the condition for the 1 on 1 game is set.
Riding high on his victory over Akagi, Hanamichi breaks into the team locker room and wears Akagi's uniform.
Though one week has passed since the rookie, Hanamichi, is accepted into the team, he finds himself practicing dribbling in the corner of the court.
Hanamichi absorbs the lessons like a sponge and continues to become a respectable member of the basketball team.
The pick-up game match between the freshmen and upperclassmen continues to heat up.
One rainy day Akagi learns from the captain of the Judo club, Aota, that the Judo club is plotting to recruit Hanamichi.
At the judo dojo, Hanamichi meets with Aota and is enticed into joining the judo club after being offered a photograph of Haruko.
Hanamichi feels himself increasingly attracted to basketball, and he begins to take the sport more seriously.
During an early morning special training session, Hanamichi earnestly listens to Haruko's lessons.
A person appears in the gym where Hanamichi is practicing alone.
Sparks quickly begin to fly between Akagi and Uozumi - the showdown has already begun.
The match begins and Shouhoku quickly lets the other opponent score.
The first half of the game ends with a score of 50 to 42 and Ryonan continues to overwhelm Shohoku.
Hanamichi enters the game with 9 minutes left in the 2nd half. With the loss of Akagi, Coach Taoka believes the game is over.
Rukawa, who dominated in rebounds, brings Shohoku up to 70 to 67.
With Akagi's return, Rukawa resting on the bench, and Hanamichi remembering the fundamentals of rebounds. Shohoku regains momentum.
In deperation to hold off the raging Ryonan, Shohoku uses Hanamichi and Rukawa to double team on Sendo.
Hanamichi is still shocked after their loss to Ryonan but gains encouragement through Haruko's words.
The guy who Ohkusu and Youhei glare at is a second year guard of the basketball team, Ryota Miyagi.
The battle between Hanamichi and Ryota continues...although Hanamichi starts it by playing dirty, and the fight is nothing more than a childish fight.
As Hanamichi and Ryota become friends, Mitsui brings the thug, Tetsuo, to the gym during practice.
Rukawa can no longer put up with Mitsui who is doing whatever he pleases.
Youhei and Sakuragi's Gang come to the rescue to defeat Mitsui and his gang.
After Kogure's confession, Hanamichi and the others learn of Mitsui's glorious past as a star basketball player entering high school.
Mitsui's downfall...
Mitsui, who changes his ways, rejoins the basketball team.
At the game against Miuradai, the key players--Hanamichi, Rukawa, Ryota, and Mitsu--are left on the bench.
As Miuradai leads 22 to 8, Shohoku finally sends its best players out to court.