Li Ke

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Li Ke (李科)
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Class 5; Jinghai No. 2 High School boys' basketball team
Occupation/Role	Student; school-team star player; Class 5's tactical leader
Jersey Number	24
First Appearance	Chapter 1

Background / History

Li Ke and Zhu Zhan have played basketball together since childhood, entering competitions when they were young. Li Ke was regarded as an elementary-school basketball prodigy and accumulated numerous honors, while Zhu Zhan was often relegated to being his substitute. In one close middle-school game, Li Ke returned from rest and replaced Zhu Zhan, confidently promising that their team would not lose. 1 34

By the Class League, Li Ke and Zhu Zhan are key members of Jinghai No. 2 High School's basketball team. They had been starters and star players during the school's two consecutive runs to the National High School Students League final, but the departure of interior defender Xie Bin leaves the team with a major defensive gap. Li Ke remains convinced that he and Zhu Zhan can lead the team to the championship they promised to win for their former coach, Yang Weimin. 13 35

Li Ke trains consistently outside organized practice. He practices for two hours every night, studies Kobe Bryant's moves through video, and later begins arriving at school an hour early for morning training ahead of the National League. 18 43

Appearance

Li Ke is a tall, well-built young player with short black hair, a confident expression, and a notably mature face for his age. He is described as over 1.87 meters tall during his middle-school years and as lean yet muscular in private training. 1 30

• Usually wears a number 24 basketball jersey. 1 2
• Has a powerful, athletic build suited to contact finishes and dunks. 2 16
• Often carries himself with a faint smile or relaxed, self-assured demeanor. 2 18
• Privately trains in Lakers number 24 shorts and Kobe's Black Mamba basketball shoes. 30

Personality

Li Ke is intensely self-confident and openly competitive. He considers himself a basketball genius, seeks out skilled opponents for one-on-one games, and reacts strongly when challenged by players such as Zhang Jian and Wang Cheng. His confidence can become showmanship, including provocative gestures and emphatic dunks meant to establish superiority. 14 16 30

Despite his tendency toward individual scoring, he trusts Zhu Zhan deeply and recognizes his potential. He passes Zhu Zhan the final ball in a two-on-two game, builds Class 5's tactics around his teammates' strengths, and reassures Zhu Zhan that his summer improvement makes him a key part of the school team's future. 2 24 35

Li Ke is also crafty when dealing with rivals. During a punishment run, he convinces Wang Cheng that returning early will lead to shuttle runs, then accelerates past him and leaves Wang Cheng to complete an extra lap. 28 29

Abilities & Skills

Dunking and Aerial Finishing

Li Ke is an exceptional dunker whose finishes combine strength, body control, and hang time.

• Uses powerful hop-step and one-handed dunks to overwhelm defenders. 2 33
• Clears Zhu Zhan during a self-assisted dunk, catching the rebound in midair before slamming it through the hoop. 16
• Can adjust in the air against shot blockers; against Zhang Jian, he pulls the ball down, switches it to one hand, and finishes through the opening beneath Zhang Jian's arm. 22
• Possesses outstanding core strength and aerial control, though Zhang Jian's pure vertical leap is higher. 16 18

Ball Handling and Scoring

Li Ke combines explosive drives with refined dribbling and a soft shooting touch.

• Uses shot fakes, changes of direction, and behind-the-back dribbles to create separation. 2 33
• Relies on physical strength to attack the basket and maintain his shooting form through contact. 38
• Has reliable mid-range shooting and can pull up quickly after driving past a defender. 46
• Scores efficiently in transition after forcing turnovers or collecting rebounds. 18 19

Defense and Rebounding

Li Ke is a strong on-ball defender who can pressure larger opponents through positioning and physicality.

• Guards Zhang Jian closely enough to prevent him from turning or comfortably dribbling. 20
• Works with Zhu Zhan in Class 5's 3–2 zone defense, closing off drives and forcing opponents to pass. 19
• Secures rebounds in contested situations and immediately launches fast breaks with long outlet passes. 18 19
• His defense can be beaten by unfamiliar techniques, such as Zhang Jian's step-back jumper. 20

Court Vision and Leadership

Li Ke regularly organizes Class 5's offense and defense despite the team's limited depth.

• Sets Class 5's initial Class League plan around getting him the ball while protecting possession. 15
• Directs the 3–2 zone defense against Class 6 and coordinates with Zhu Zhan to seal driving lanes. 19
• Identifies Zhang Jian's dependence on momentum and proposes leaving him open to force mistakes under pressure. 24
• Assigns Zhu Zhan to guard Wang Cheng so that Li Ke can focus on offense against Class 1. 48
• Executes pick-and-roll actions with Zhu Zhan through near-wordless on-court communication. 50

Equipment / Items

• Number 24 basketball jersey. 1 2
• Personal basketball carried in a mesh bag. 33
• Lakers number 24 shorts. 30
• Kobe's Black Mamba basketball shoes. 30

Relationships

• Zhu Zhan — Best friend, longtime teammate, and friendly rival. Li Ke encourages Zhu Zhan's growth while remaining the benchmark Zhu Zhan aims to surpass. 2 24 35 46
• Wen Ting — A girl Li Ke openly flirts with and invites out after basketball; Wang Cheng views Li Ke as his romantic rival because of her. 3 15
• Wang Cheng — School-team and Class 1 rival. Their conflict is driven by basketball competition, Wen Ting, and Li Ke's scheme during their punishment run. 15 29 48 49
• Zhang Jian — Class 6 rival whose extraordinary vertical leap challenges Li Ke's confidence and leads to a physical on-court collision. 16 18 22 24
• Fang Shan — School basketball coach. Li Ke argues that his former coach did not teach the same standards, but accepts Fang Shan's punishment for arriving late. 27 28
• Yang Weimin — Former coach whose illness motivates Li Ke and Zhu Zhan to pursue the National High School Students League championship. 34 35

Story Role / Major Arcs

Early Rivalry with Zhu Zhan

Li Ke's return to a close middle-school game results in Zhu Zhan being benched, establishing Li Ke as the talented friend whose success leaves Zhu Zhan feeling overlooked. In Zhu Zhan's dream, Li Ke becomes a direct challenger and an obstacle to overcome. 1

Class 5 vs. Class 6

Li Ke leads Class 5 into the Class League with confidence despite the class having few capable players. He responds to Zhang Jian's showboating with a more powerful dunk, anchors the team's zone defense, and develops a late-game tactic after being injured in a collision with Zhang Jian. 15 16 19 22 24

Conflict with Wang Cheng

Li Ke's rivalry with Wang Cheng escalates through hostile confrontations, a balcony standoff, and the punishment-run trick that leaves Wang Cheng running an additional lap. Li Ke later prepares Class 5 to face Class 1, assigning defensive duties and focusing on exploiting the team's chemistry with Zhu Zhan. 29 32 48 50

Pursuit of the National League

Li Ke and Zhu Zhan reaffirm their promise to win the National High School Students League for Yang Weimin. Concerned by the loss of Xie Bin, Li Ke still believes their individual improvement can keep the team competitive, then commits to daily early-morning training. 34 35 43

Notable Quotes

“Zhan, with me here, our First High School won't lose to their Affiliated High School!” 1

“This is a dunk!” 16

“Xiao Zhan, you've improved so much this summer. It's like you've become a different person.” 35

Trivia

• Li Ke idolizes Kobe Bryant and dreams of joining the Lakers to play alongside him. 34
• He considers Liu Chi Jinghai No. 2 High School's best sharpshooter. 32
• Although he frequently acts selfishly on the court, his pass to Zhu Zhan for the final play of their two-on-two game surprises Zhu Zhan precisely because Li Ke normally prefers to score himself. 2