Slam is a 17-year-old Black high school student who attends Latimer, a Bronx charter school with a focus on visual arts. He considers basketball his primary focus in life and relies on his athletic talent to secure his future. He resists academic pressure and frequently clashes with adults who demand discipline off the court. He operates an old video camera to document his environment for a school project.

Ice is a senior basketball star at Carver High School and Slam's oldest childhood companion. He lives in Harlem and shares a deep history with Slam, though their paths begin to diverge. He starts wearing expensive suits and carrying large amounts of cash, prompting rumors among his friends about his activities.

Mtisha is a smart, focused student at Carver High School who intends to go to college. She possesses strong math skills and offers to tutor Slam when he struggles with his coursework. She maintains clear boundaries and expects maturity from the people she spends time with.

Slam's mother works hard to support her family in Harlem while her husband experiences periods of unemployment. She attends Slam's basketball games and celebrates his talent, yet she insists he focus on his schoolwork. She balances her household responsibilities with hospital visits to care for her ailing mother.

Coach Goldstein is the aging, soft-spoken assistant basketball coach at Latimer High School. He previously served as head coach before experiencing a heart attack. He recognizes Slam's raw talent and repeatedly attempts to teach him the importance of discipline, teamwork, and personal responsibility off the court.

Slam's father lives with his family in Harlem and experiences frequent periods of unemployment. When he loses a job, he often turns to alcohol, creating a strained atmosphere in the apartment. He possesses a strong sense of pride and openly resents outside interference, particularly when his wife arranges for a tutor for Slam.

Derek is Slam's nine-year-old brother. He idolizes Slam and hopes to play guard for Latimer's basketball team when he grows up. He enthusiastically helps Slam record footage around their neighborhood for a school documentary project, though he occasionally struggles with responsibility.

Grandma Ellie is Slam's maternal grandmother, currently battling cancer in the hospital. Despite her severe illness, she retains a sharp mind and refuses to coddle her grandson. She offers direct advice about taking control of one's destiny, drawing on her own experiences growing up in a segregated society.

Coach Nipper is the head basketball coach at Latimer High School. He values structured, team-oriented play and expects his athletes to follow set plays without question. He views Slam's flashy, independent style as a disruption and frequently restricts his playing time to force compliance.

Mr. Tate is the principal of Latimer High School. He monitors the academic performance of the student body and strictly enforces the school's scholastic requirements. He insists that Slam must raise his failing grades to remain eligible for the basketball team.

Ducky is a student at Latimer High School whose locker is located next to Slam's. He plays on the basketball team but constantly worries about losing his spot on the roster. He lacks confidence in his athletic abilities and relies on Slam for encouragement.

Nick is a talented white basketball player at Latimer High School. He plays within Coach Nipper's organized system and attracts attention from college scouts. He challenges Slam to step up as a team player rather than acting solely as an individual star.

Jimmy Ellis plays on the Latimer basketball team. He prefers to keep the peace in the locker room and avoid drawing negative attention from the coaching staff. He advises Slam to drop his defensive attitude and cooperate with the rest of the roster.

Mr. Parrish is an English teacher at Latimer High School who also oversees visual arts projects. He maintains exacting standards and refuses to accept excuses for missing assignments. He uses harsh, confrontational tactics to force his students to evaluate their life choices.

Margie is a student at Latimer who collaborates with Slam on a documentary assignment. She manages the editing process and adds music to the raw footage Slam records. She views Slam's Harlem neighborhood through an outsider's lens, which creates brief friction between them.

Carl owns a curio shop in Slam's Harlem neighborhood. He observes the daily struggles of the local residents, including those fighting addiction. He acts as a community resource when Slam needs help locating a misplaced item.

Richie Randall is an engineer and a graduate of Howard University. He volunteers with the Guardians, an organization that tutors young Black students. Principal Tate and Slam's mother recruit him to help Slam raise his failing math grades.

Kicky is a young woman who accompanies Ice, Bianca, and Slam to a restaurant after Latimer's victory. She shows immediate interest in Slam and initiates a brief physical encounter, complicating Slam's developing feelings for Mtisha.

Bianca is a young woman from the neighborhood who dates Ice. She attends local basketball games to support him and accompanies him to parties, enjoying the perks of his suddenly flush lifestyle.

Brothers is a highly talented white basketball player from Trinity High School. He acts as a major physical and competitive hurdle for both Slam and Ice, testing their endurance and defensive skills during crucial conference games.

Kenny Stith is an older basketball player who previously played professionally in Italy. He spends time at the YMCA and talks with younger players about the immense dedication required to reach the highest levels of the sport.

Willie King is a former basketball standout from the neighborhood who once attended a camp with the New York Knicks. His athletic career ended when he was arrested for drug possession and sent to Rikers Island, serving as a cautionary tale for the younger athletes.

Miss Fowell is the school librarian at Latimer High School. She observes the students' daily struggles and offers quiet, practical advice about listening to the warnings of older generations before it is too late.

Karen is an art student at Latimer who studies in the band room. She notices Slam's hands and asks to sketch them to replicate a famous Dürer artwork, prompting Slam to briefly daydream about her.

Mrs. Clark is Mtisha's mother. She is highly protective of her daughter's bright academic future and holds a low opinion of Slam, whom she initially views as an unmotivated distraction.