Characters
March of Madness
David Williams
Co-Protagonist
David Williams – (The Rising Star, The Son)
David is the gifted yet conflicted son of Coach Warren Williams, a basketball prodigy carrying the weight of his father’s legacy. After suffering a crushing defeat in his junior year on a controversial charging call, he forgoes the NBA Draft to return for his senior season—one last shot at redemption. As the heart and soul of the team, David is a leader, but when he realizes his father may be sabotaging their championship run, his own sense of duty is put to the ultimate test. Is he playing to win… or playing to protect the man who raised him?
Warren "Coach" Williams
Co-Protagonist
Coach Warren Williams – (The Mentor, The Man in Over His Head)
A former player turned revered head coach, Warren Williams has spent his life molding young athletes into champions. But off the court, he is drowning in debt from medical bills due to his wife's cancer treatments . His deep-seated desire to win pulls him into the orbit of the wrong people, and soon, he’s forced into a game far more dangerous than basketball. Torn between his integrity and survival, Coach battles his own demons while unknowingly dragging his son into the madness. Will he do the right thing before it’s too late?
Dennis Rosen
Antagonist
Dennis Rosen – (The Puppet Master, The Deal Maker, The Smiling Devil)
A high-stakes sports agent with deep ties to the underworld, Dennis Rosen operates in the shadows where money and power dictate the game. He doesn’t just broker deals—he creates them. Manipulating players, coaches, and even boosters, he thrives on bending the game to his will. He sets his sights on LaPlaz Jackson as his next big payday but takes even greater pleasure in watching Coach Williams squirm under the weight of his "obligations." Cool, calculated, and always three moves ahead, Dennis is a man who wins, no matter the cost.
LaPlaz Jackson
"Ice in his veins"
LaPlaz Jackson – (The Phenom, The One-and-Done, The Future of the Game)
A McDonald’s All-American and blue-chip recruit, LaPlaz is the explosive freshman point guard expected to be a “one-and-done” NBA star. Cocky yet charismatic, he’s the spark plug of Evansville’s offense. Dennis Rosen has already begun his seduction of LaPlaz as a future client, showing him how valuable his brand could be. But as the championship unfolds, LaPlaz realizes there’s a much bigger game being played around him—and that is just his type of stage!
Peter Anderson
AKA Corn Rogue
Peter “Corn Rogue” Anderson – (The Fan Favorite, The Fallen Star, The Comeback?)
Once a beloved player and fan favorite, Peter’s poor decisions and struggles with addiction cost him everything. Kicked off the team, he finds himself bartending, watching from the sidelines. But something about his connection to Coach Williams suggests that his story isn’t over. Could he have a future in coaching? And what happens if Rosen gets his hooks into him?
Andrej Cabric
Eurohunk with Issues
Andrej Cabric – (The European Enforcer, The Quiet Competitor)
A skilled Serbian big man, Andrej brings toughness and rebounding dominance to Evansville. Though not as flashy as David or LaPlaz, his presence in the paint is crucial. Unbeknownst to him, Dennis Rosen has his eyes on him too, seeing an opportunity to add another international prospect to his roster. Andrej remains fiercely loyal to Coach Williams, but for how long?
Gloria WIlliams
Coach's Better Half
Gloria Williams – (The Survivor, The Heart of the Story)
Coach Williams’ wife and the reason he’s drowning in medical debt. After battling illness, she finally receives good news—she’s in remission. Though she remains unaware of just how deep her husband got into trouble, her presence is a grounding force, a reminder of why Coach fought so hard in the first place.
Maria Jimenez
The Tutor
Maria Jimenez – (The Steady Hand, The Love That Waited)
David’s former calculus tutor and the one person who sees him beyond basketball. She was hurt when David betrayed her trust but never stopped believing in him. Their slow-burning romance finally ignites after Evansville’s championship victory, proving that some wins aren’t measured by the scoreboard.
Cyndi
Digging for Gold
Cyndi – (The Temptress, The Chaos Agent)
David’s scorned ex, Cyndi thrives on drama and knows how to weaponize her beauty. She sees LaPlaz as a new conquest, using him to get under David’s skin. But as the tournament unfolds, she fades into the background—her presence more of a cautionary tale than a true threat..
Heather
Crushing on Andrej
Heather – (The Bombshell, Coach's headache)
Heather is the kind of woman who turns heads when she walks into a room, but don’t expect her to turn many pages in a book. Stunningly beautiful and effortlessly charming, she’s not the sharpest tool in the shed—but she’s also not malicious. She floats through life on looks, luck, and the attention of others, completely unaware of the deeper tensions swirling around her.
Bertuzzo
Powerful Man
Don Bertuzzo – (The Shadowy Benefactor, The Necessary Evil)
A quietly powerful figure in the world of underground sports betting, Bertuzzo is not a monster—he’s a businessman. He had money riding on Evansville from the beginning and knew how to hedge his bets. While Dennis Rosen enjoys the manipulation, Bertuzzo operates with a practical, almost fatherly detachment. He plays the long game and understands that in sports, as in life, there’s always a next time.
Dean
Riding Coattails of the program
The Dean – (The Face of the Institution, The Power Broker)
A polished yet pragmatic administrator, the Dean’s priority is the school’s reputation and financial health. He presents himself as a moral leader, but behind closed doors, he understands the real game being played—where money and influence control everything. Rosen sees an opportunity in him, a man who can be useful in the long run. Will he take the bait?
