Nick is a high school sophomore living in the Seattle suburb of Bothell. He previously starred as a point guard at Canyon Park Junior High and dreams of making the varsity squad at Bothell High. He often feels overshadowed by his older brother, causing him to crave his father's attention. Nick evaluates situations methodically, carefully studying the physical movements and weaknesses of other basketball players on the court.

Trent lives in a cluttered rental home across the street from the Abbott family. He possesses a strong physical presence and a reputation for bullying, frequently imitating the lawless behavior of his older brother. Despite his volatile temper and poor academic standing, he demonstrates raw athletic talent and a deep desire to compete on the basketball court.

Scott is a talented high school athlete who resents the heavy expectations placed on him by his father. He prefers practicing the trumpet and listening to jazz music over running basketball drills. He is assertive about his own interests, eventually choosing to step away from sports entirely to focus on the school jazz band and spend time with his girlfriend.

Zack is Trent's eighteen-year-old brother. He frequently breaks the law, steals from local stores, and uses physical intimidation to control the neighborhood. He creates an atmosphere of fear around the middle school and heavily influences his younger brother's destructive habits.

Matthew is a former high school basketball standout who lost college scholarship opportunities after altering his style of play. He works to ensure his sons do not repeat his perceived mistakes. He destroys his wife's rose garden to construct a basketball court, aggressively coaching his sons and causing severe friction within the family home.

Caroline is Nick and Scott's mother. She works hard to maintain her retirement accounts and keep the household running smoothly. She opposes her husband's harsh coaching tactics and actively supports Scott's decision to play jazz music, prioritizing her sons' happiness over athletic achievements.

Luke is a Black student at Bothell High who lives in an affluent neighborhood nearby. He is a highly capable, streaky basketball player who quickly identifies Nick as a valuable passing partner on the court. He offers realistic assessments of the team's dynamics and the social realities of their school.

Steve works as a custodian at Microsoft and dates Ericka Dawson. He has a lined face and a skull-and-crossbones tattoo, initially causing Nick to view him with suspicion. He proves to be a calm, meticulous worker who actively encourages Trent to practice basketball as a way to learn discipline.

Katya is a Russian-American high school student with red-blonde hair and blue eyes. She plays the clarinet and spends significant time practicing music at the Abbott house. She is highly protective of her younger brother and harbors intense anger toward the Dawson brothers for their bullying behavior.

Michael attends a specialized school for students with learning conditions. He enjoys singing Russian songs and spending time outdoors near the railroad trestle. His gentle nature makes him an easy target for Zack and Trent Dawson, who regularly mock and intimidate him.

O'Leary is the knowledgeable and demanding basketball coach for the Bothell Cougars. He runs a fast-paced, run-and-gun offense and expects total commitment from his players. He uses a sardonic sense of humor to motivate the team but shows a willingness to evaluate players based on their current effort rather than past mistakes.

Ericka is Trent and Zack's mother. She maintains a loud, disorganized household and frequently dates different men. She provides little supervision for her teenage sons, allowing Zack's criminal behavior to go unchecked within her home.

Darren is the star player of the Bothell High varsity basketball team. He is popular, serves as class president, and consistently hustles on the court regardless of the score. His relentless work ethic serves as an early model for Nick's own athletic ambitions.

Martha is a classmate of Nick's at Bothell High. She holds strong opinions about the local neighborhood violence and openly expresses her belief that the Dawson brothers belong in jail.