Written by Takehiko Inoue

Art by Takehiko Inoue

The best-selling manga by Eisner nominee Takehiko Inoue, one of Japan's greatest manga creators.

Winning isn't everything in basketball, but who wants to come in second? It takes dedication and discipline to be the best, and the basketball team of Lycée Shohoku wants to be just that. They have one last year to fulfill their captain's dream of reaching the finals — will they make it?

Thanks to an impressive performance during a friendly match between the freshmen and the experienced players of Shohoku, Coach Anzai decides to give Sakuragi a chance to play as a center. And while the game reveals several weaknesses in Sakuragi, it also highlights how far his technique has progressed in a very short time. With only three days left before the match against the rival school Takezato, Sakuragi is placed on a new and tough training regimen: he must make 500 shots every day!