Based on a true story of Hank Gathers, a basketball player from Loyola Marymount who collapsed and died during a game. Hank is a loudmouth Philly kid who is one of the best high school basketball players in the city. His rival comes in the form of Bo Kimble, a more serious athlete who doesn't care for Hank's reckless behavior. When the two players get recruited by USC, they eventually become friends. Hank and Bo are not really played much the USC team, and head to Loyola Marymount where the two become college sensations.