Marcus is a 17-year-old Black high school senior and a star basketball player at Long Island City High School. Known as "Black" by his peers, he lives with his single mother and younger sister in Astoria, Queens. He hopes to secure a college basketball scholarship but struggles with the pressure to contribute financially to his household, which influences his decision to participate in local stickups.

Eddie is a white high school senior who stars on the basketball team alongside his best friend. Nicknamed "White" by his peers, he comes from a financially stable household and feels pressured by his father to attend college. He initiates a plan to commit local robberies to pay for senior dues and new basketball shoes.

Working as a seamstress, she is a pragmatic single parent raising her children in Queens. She values honesty and family resilience over evading consequences. When legal troubles arise, she demands the truth from her son rather than denying his involvement.

An employee of the Department of Sanitation, he works hard to provide for his family and expects his son to earn a college degree. Fiercely protective of his son, he applies his pragmatic worldview to secure advantages for his family, willingly using his financial resources to hire a private attorney to shield Eddie from legal consequences.

Rose is Eddie's younger sister. Unlike her parents, she maintains an open mind regarding the recent events in her brother's life and does not immediately judge Marcus. She harbors romantic feelings for Marcus, quietly ignoring the racial boundaries present in their neighborhood.

The head coach of the Long Island City High School basketball team. He acts as a firm but caring mentor to the young men in his program, consistently urging them to stay safe. He views his role as more than just a sports instructor, showing up for his players during personal crises.

A Black school safety officer at Long Island City High School. He is an encouraging and stern mentor who deeply invests in student success. He directly challenges Marcus to learn from his mistakes and become a positive influence in the neighborhood.

Sabrina is Marcus's younger sister. She lives with her mother and brother in Queens, observing the stress her family undergoes when Marcus encounters legal trouble.

Eddie's mother is a deeply concerned parent who experiences significant anxiety over her son's legal situation. Her family attempts to shield her from the harsh realities of the case by assuring her the charges will be dropped.

A white school safety officer who maintains a hostile relationship with the student body. Students actively dislike him, and he often antagonizes them in return, eventually escalating into physical altercations during school events.

A Black high school student and teammate of Marcus and Eddie. He is vocal about the racial disparities in the justice system, expressing cynicism about how judges will treat Black defendants.

A player on the Long Island City High School basketball team. He observes the unfolding legal drama surrounding his teammates and respects Marcus for taking accountability for his actions.

The former captain of the school's basketball team who was killed during a racially motivated riot at a game. Though deceased before the novel begins, his memory serves as an inspiration to Marcus and a grim reminder of the neighborhood's racial divisions.

A local bus driver who falls victim to Marcus and Eddie's robbery. He recognizes Marcus during the confrontation, which catalyzes the subsequent legal proceedings.

An experienced private attorney hired by Eddie's father. He expresses high confidence in his ability to fight the case, utilizing his legal expertise to exploit gaps in evidence regardless of actual guilt.

The public defender assigned to Marcus's case. Faced with strong evidence against her client, she realistically assesses his limited options and advises him to accept a plea deal.

Eddie's high school girlfriend. Her relationship with him becomes strained when the news of his arrest goes public, as her parents forbid her from seeing him.

The principal of Long Island City High School. She strictly enforces school policies regarding extracurricular activities, blocking Marcus from participating in school events following his conviction.

An absent figure in Marcus's life who left the family shortly after Sabrina was born. His absence forces Marcus into the role of the man of the house, influencing his desire to secure extra money.

A Black student and player on the Long Island City High School basketball team. He plays alongside Marcus and Eddie, navigating the neighborhood's racial divisions.

A student and player on the Long Island City High School basketball team. He is one of the few white players on the roster besides Eddie.