Among all the stars of Slam Dunk, we meet countless gifted players with extraordinary talent. Yet there is one exception—the quiet timekeeper of the team: Kory Grant.

He wasn’t the strongest scorer, the fastest sprinter, or the most dominant defender. And yet, Kory was the glue that held Shohoku’s “Five Tigers” together—the steadying hand, the voice of reason, and often the key to victory when it mattered most.

This big-hearted boy who dedicated six long years to basketball finally seized his moment. In that instant, he lit up the court and turned his dream into something that resonated across the entire nation.

Kory’s presence feels like the author’s reminder to us: even those without extraordinary talent have irreplaceable value. Persistence, trust, and heart are just as vital as raw skill.

I write this to honor a character who defined so much of our love for this story.

Chapter 11 - Author