Recaps

Kawamoto Kazuki returned to basketball while continuing to work several jobs to support his mother, and he helped Hanamichi Sakuragi commit to training. After concealing his ability beneath weighted guards, he removed them for a scrimmage and helped the underclassmen take a 9-0 lead.

• Kawamoto Kazuki supported his sick mother through several jobs until Kawamoto Kazuko encouraged him to pursue basketball.
• Kawamoto Kazuki joined Shohoku with weighted guards that hampered his movements, then earned Takenori Akagi's coaching through early-morning practice and exceptional strength.
• Kawamoto defeated Hanamichi Sakuragi 5-0 and explained the importance of fundamentals, prompting Sakuragi to return after quitting the team.
• Hanamichi Sakuragi discovered Kawamoto's weighted guards and offered his work earnings in exchange for basketball lessons.
• Hanamichi Sakuragi accompanied Kawamoto to his jobs, learned about his years of supporting his mother, and received shooting instruction after their overnight work.
• Hanamichi Sakuragi insulted Coach Anzai before learning his identity, and Takenori Akagi arranged a scrimmage for the coach to observe.
• Kawamoto Kazuki removed his weighted guards and combined steals, scoring, and passes to Kaede Rukawa to put the underclassmen ahead.
• Kawamoto Kazuki blocked Takenori Akagi's dunk, and Kaede Rukawa finished the ensuing fast break to extend the lead to 9-0.

Kawamoto Kazuki helped Shohoku’s rookies develop, exposed Akagi’s weaknesses, and led the team through a hard-fought loss to Ryonan. After Miyagi returned and tested Sakuragi and Rukawa, he challenged Kawamoto, who opened their one-on-one with a three-pointer over his reach.

• Kawamoto rallied the first-years to overwhelm Akagi’s upperclassmen in practice, and Coach Anzai helped Akagi turn his despair into resolve.
• Kawamoto criticized Akagi’s limitations and urged him to develop beyond the traditional center role, while Sakuragi improved his shooting under Kawamoto’s guidance.
• Shohoku faced Ryonan, where Rukawa’s scoring narrowed the early gap before Sendoh and Uozumi helped Ryonan take a 38-27 halftime lead.
• Akagi responded after halftime, and Rukawa traded baskets with Sendoh as Ryonan maintained its advantage.
• Kawamoto rallied Shohoku late, contributing to a run that brought the team within one point, but Sendoh returned and Ryonan won 89-82.
• Akagi urged Shohoku to train harder, and Kawamoto gave Sakuragi basketball shoes and sportswear after their work-and-training arrangement ended.
• Miyagi returned to practice and defeated Sakuragi 8-3, then Rukawa beat him 7-4 before Miyagi challenged Kawamoto.
• Kawamoto promised to avoid physical play and make three-pointers, then shot over Miyagi’s reach and made the opening basket.

Kawamoto Kazuki helped Mitsui face his past, then led Shohoku through a series of overwhelming tournament victories while strengthening his teammates. As Shohoku prepared to face Shoyo, Akagi urged the team to make the most of their remaining time together.

• Kawamoto beat Miyagi in a three-point shooting contest, then fought off Mitsui’s gang and challenged Mitsui to explain what basketball meant to him.
• Mitsui declared that he wanted to return to basketball for himself, and Kawamoto passed the news to Akagi before joining a fishing trip where Rudy Tomjanovich saw his strength and diligence.
• Kawamoto learned about Sakuragi’s lonely home life, and Kazuko began preparing an extra bento for him as Shohoku prepared for the prefectural tournament.
• Kawamoto scored eight three-pointers and led Shohoku to a commanding 26-0 lead over Miuradai before asking Coach Anzai to substitute him.
• Shohoku defeated Miuradai 102-0, and Kawamoto offered Murasame a handshake and praised Miuradai’s determination despite the loss.
• Kawamoto helped Mitsui refine his shot fake, guided Shohoku to a 180-16 win over Kakuno, and later helped Mitsui rescue Tetsuo from a group of attackers.
• Shohoku beat Takahata 128-36, and Kawamoto proposed starting at point guard against Shoyo while Akagi watched their teammates train and urged them to make the most of practice.

Kawamoto helped Shohoku crush Tsukubu, prompting Coach Anzai to take responsibility for his past and arrange Nango’s transfer to Shohoku. As Shohoku prepared to face Shoyo, Nango pursued Haruko and clashed with Sakuragi, while Kawamoto began guiding Noma away from a reckless revenge plan.

• Kawamoto trained Sakuragi in off-ball movement and invited him and Takamiya to dinner, while Kazuko secretly concealed her dangerous heart condition and its financial burden from her son.
• Sakuragi confronted Nango after the delinquent startled Haruko, and Nango challenged Shohoku while Sanae Nakagawa questioned whether the team could withstand Tsukubu.
• Kawamoto led Shohoku’s defense and helped Mitsui build a commanding lead over Tsukubu, then made three consecutive three-pointers after Tsukubu left him open.
• Kawamoto’s shoe split during a drive, injuring Natsume and Godai, and Maki tried to recruit him before Kawamoto rejected the offer.
• Nango scored repeatedly in the second half, but Shohoku defeated Tsukubu 92-64, and Kawasaki agreed to arrange Nango’s transfer to Shohoku under Anzai’s guidance.
• Anzai admitted his regrets over Yazawa and Mitsui, then promised to develop Nango, Sakuragi, and Kawamoto as basketball players, while Tsukubu’s seniors told Nango they would stop playing after summer.
• Nango transferred to Shohoku and asked Haruko out, prompting Sakuragi to interfere, and he later wore Akagi’s number 15 jersey and provoked Sakuragi and Akagi at practice.
• As Shoyo prepared to face Shohoku, Fujima identified Kawamoto as the team’s main threat, while Kawamoto urged Noma to pursue a greater reckoning than a reckless attack and Shohoku’s supporters gathered for the game.