Ron Jones. The Protagonist. A basketball marvel, a natural, but a career cut short by a tragedy then crime. Never made it the Pros Ron is Basketball Jones, the Legend, but that’s a little-known fact for most of the story. He’s released from prison to start over, at 30 years old. Can he reclaim himself? Can he raise people around him? Can one washed up old legend with scars and wounds really make a difference?
Belldon Shelvers. A force of muscle, speed and athleticism, he retired from pro basketball in his prime after his teammate and best friend collapsed on the court, and slipped into a years-long coma. Belldon lost his will to play.
Yazminda Salgado. A counselor for local boy’s shelter, she becomes Ron’s love interest, motivator, muse, greatest fan and most demanding task-master, her strength is part of what brings out the best in Ron.
Ron Jones Sr. Ron’s father. A retired army general of great stature, and great athlete in his own right. He carved Ron into a great basketball player by demanding Ron distinguish between what God gave him, and what he earned, But their relationship is now broken, they have not spoken since Ron was arrested, even then, very little after Ron’s mother died of cancer. A lot of Ron Sr. died with her, and he took it out on Ron, then was so disgusted after the arrest he wrote his son off.
Rollie. Ron’s good friend and advisor, a likable, calm positive man that gently does not allow Ron Sr. to indulge his ongoing grudge.
Kap: One half of a popular sports TV show, Kap is an old school basketball player that values the way the game is played in an almost corny way. He’s usually on the losing end of the debates because …
Ashley: the other half ot the TV show she is funny, super-crude, stunning, mean as hell, and the most popular sports personality in basketball.
Hakeem and Olajowan Achebe: two incredibly talented Sudanese basketball phenoms, 18 and 16. Their mother and father have steadfastly refused to take the big money while they are developing, but big basketball is moving in, and times are tough.
Jack “Jackie” Ciao. The owner of the Tokyo Basketball Club, and Acting Commissioner. Trumpian, mean-spirited, believes that dominance and winning are the only way. Other owners love him because he’s made them tons of money.
Abraham Goldstein. Jackie’s lawyer. Tough, but not a bad guy, tries, in vain, to be Mickey’s conscience.
Kelvin Kong. The current declared best basketball player on the planet, an assassin on the court, and off, as he is a big believer in the same domination that Jackie does, and they form a de facto Batman and Robin bad guy team.
Hank “Lenny” Lewis: Belldon’s comatose friend.
Jon Aievoli:.an ambitious writer that follows Ron’s story, and ties it to a bigger theme fighting for the return of bigtime free basketball, and collective wealth sharing,
Rasta: A street tough turned teammate.
Crafty: Ron’s friend from prison, a ridiculous shooter with insane handles, but a crystal meth head. They lost touch before Ron got out, Crafty was visiting, then fell off.
Mark Krause. A young super-successful business founder that sold most of his interest in a high-level basketball team, only to watch it get levelled and de-humanized for money. It’s on his conscience.