Height: 189.2 cm
Weight: 83 kg
Jersey Number: #10
Position: Power Forward
Birthday: April 1
High School: Shohoku
Shoe Brand: Jordan
The protagonist, Sakuragi, starts off as a slacker who constantly gets rejected by girls, reaching his 50th rejection at the beginning of the series. His life changes when he meets Haruko Akagi, whom he falls in love with instantly. This newfound passion leads him to join the Shohoku basketball team, despite being a complete novice. Initially, he struggles to keep up with the team due to his lack of skills, even though he possesses great physical attributes such as height, athleticism, stamina, speed, and leaping ability. Sakuragi considers himself a genius, displaying an overconfident attitude that borders on arrogance. His most distinctive feature is his red hair, which he shaves off as penance for a costly mistake during a loss to Kainan.
At first, Sakuragi's basketball skills are poor, often fouling out in early matches. However, he gradually improves, starting with basic skills like dribbling and layups. Under the guidance of Haruko's brother, Takenori Akagi, he becomes an excellent rebounder, a skill that defines him throughout the latter part of the series. He frequently plays a crucial role in critical moments, such as dunking a missed shot by Akagi to secure victory against Ryonan. With Coach Anzai's training, Sakuragi develops his jump shooting, hitting a game-winning buzzer-beater against Sannoh. Unfortunately, he injures his back during this match and undergoes rehabilitation following Shohoku's subsequent loss to Aiwa Academy.
Despite facing numerous setbacks, Sakuragi demonstrates remarkable perseverance and determination, both on and off the court. While his initial motivation stems from his love for Haruko and rivalry with Rukawa, his injury during the Sannoh match makes him realize his genuine love for basketball. This realization drives him to give his all for his team and bring them victory.
