Kazuo Araki

Araki receives limited individual characterization, with most of his appearances centered on Miuradai's match against Shohoku. He shares the confidence of an experienced third-year lineup facing a team whose new starters have little official-game experience together.

Like the rest of Miuradai, he plays within a physically imposing unit rather than functioning as an individual star. He does not receive the personal rivalries or extensive internal narration given to the series' more prominent point guards.

Araki plays point guard despite standing 186 cm, giving Miuradai unusual size at the position. He handles the organizational responsibilities of the backcourt and participates in a lineup built around height and physical pressure.

His size gives him a substantial physical advantage over the 168 cm Ryota Miyagi, but Miuradai cannot convert that advantage into control of the game once Shohoku's strongest players settle into their rhythm.

No signature technique is established for Araki. His role is that of a conventional high-school point guard within Miuradai's veteran starting five.

Araki appears primarily during Shohoku's first official tournament game. Miuradai provides the first test of the lineup formed around Miyagi, Hisashi Mitsui, Kaede Rukawa, Takenori Akagi and Sakuragi.

The game quickly demonstrates the enormous difference between Shohoku's potential and that of an ordinary prefectural opponent once its strongest players begin functioning together.

Araki subsequently recedes from the story with Miuradai after its tournament elimination.

Kengo Murasame is Araki's captain and one of the senior players leading Miuradai.

Ryota Miyagi is the opposing point guard during Miuradai's game against Shohoku.

Kazunari Miyamoto, Hiroshi Takatsu and Akio Kawasaki are fellow third-year members of Miuradai's starting lineup.