Hanamichi Sakuragi, a tall and energetic teenager with fiery red hair and unusual strength, enters Shohoku High School determined to break his 50 rejections streak and find a girlfriend. Despite his rough reputation, his interactions are limited due to his notorious past. On his first day, torn between his dislike for basketball and his desire for romance, he encounters Haruko Akagi. Mistakenly believing he is a basketball enthusiast, Hanamichi impulsively agrees when asked. In a moment of recklessness, he attempts a slam dunk, only to comically fail. Surprised by his potential, Haruko introduces him to the school's basketball team, propelling him into a world of competition and self-discovery beyond his initial intentions.