Tetsushi Shiozaki

Shiozaki is mild-mannered and comparatively restrained, particularly beside teammates such as Sakuragi, Miyagi and Mitsui. He accepts instructions and does not display resentment when stronger players reduce his playing time.

His commitment to the club is clearest in his willingness to remain involved despite becoming a substitute. Like the other returning Shohoku reserves, he experienced the team before its sudden influx of exceptional talent and continues supporting it once his own role becomes smaller.

Shiozaki also shows courage during confrontations outside normal play. He does not possess the fighting ability of Shohoku's delinquents, yet he remains with his teammates when the basketball club itself is threatened.

Shiozaki plays guard and possesses the fundamental skills expected of a high-school basketball player. In the practice game against Ryonan, he starts alongside Yasuharu Yasuda and Kiminobu Kogure, with Miyagi and Mitsui not yet available to Shohoku.

He scores during that game and participates in Shohoku's ball movement, including assisting a Kogure basket. Once Shohoku's full roster is assembled, however, Mitsui's shooting and overall offensive value make him the clear choice at shooting guard.

No signature technique is established for Shiozaki. His value lies in competent reserve play and familiarity with Shohoku's system.

Shiozaki helps form the early version of Shohoku's lineup. His start against Ryonan illustrates how different the team looks before Miyagi and Mitsui return and before Sakuragi becomes a reliable starter.

He is also present during Mitsui's attack on the Shohoku gymnasium. The confrontation puts Shiozaki and the other ordinary basketball players in danger when Mitsui's delinquent associates attempt to provoke the team into violence that could jeopardize its season.

After Mitsui rejoins the club, Shiozaki largely appears on the bench and in practices. He nevertheless remains part of the squad throughout the prefectural campaign and Shohoku's national-tournament run.

Hisashi Mitsui ultimately takes over the shooting-guard role that Shiozaki had helped fill during Mitsui's absence.

Yasuharu Yasuda is a fellow second-year reserve guard and one of Shiozaki's longstanding teammates.

Kiminobu Kogure plays alongside Shiozaki in Shohoku's early lineup and is one of the club's senior leaders.

Takenori Akagi is Shiozaki's captain and sets the standards expected of Shohoku's returning players.

Mitsuyoshi Anzai is Shiozaki's coach and selects him as a starter for the early Ryonan practice match.