Jim (Leonardo DiCaprio) is a high school student at a Catholic school and a member of the best high school team in New York. He mingled with three other players on the team, skipping classes, taking drugs, stealing, fighting, and squandering their youth on the streets of New York. Jim records his life in the "Basketball Diary". Subsequently, Jim's best friend Bobby dies of leukemia, which is a huge blow to Jim.
Because of a "surprise" at Nujune, Jim was introduced to psychedelics, and soon he was addicted to drugs. The lack of communication with his mother, the simple and rough education of the school godfather, and the sexual harassment of the team coach all made Jim fall deeper and deeper into self-defeat. Every time the addiction flares up, they will use all means to get money for drugs, and Jim falls into the abyss of depravity......
The film is based on the autobiographical novel by writer and musician Jim Caro.