A cartoon boy with curly hair in a white 'ACADEMY 7' basketball jersey dribbles a ball on an outdoor court with a playground and city in the background.

Character Name: Mateo “Teo” Alvarez Age: 10 Height: 4’8” Build: Lean and athletic, with long arms and quick feet that make him look faster than he actually is—until the game starts. Ethnicity: Hispanic Appearance: Mateo has warm medium-tan skin and expressive dark brown eyes that are always alert, scanning the court like he’s solving a puzzle. His hair is thick, black, and slightly curly, usually kept short on the sides but messy on top from constant movement and sweat. A few curls fall onto his forehead when he plays, but he never notices. He has a small scar on his left knee from falling on the outdoor court behind his apartment building—one of his first real basketball memories. He wears a slightly oversized academy practice jersey, number 7, tucked halfway into his shorts without realizing it. His sneakers are well-worn but clean, the soles scuffed from hours of drills and pick-up games. He always double-knots his laces because his coach once told him, “Loose laces cost points.” Body Language & Movement: Mateo is rarely still. Even standing in line, he rocks on his heels or spins an imaginary basketball on his finger. On the court, his movements are sharp and intentional—quick crossover, sudden stop, eyes up. He plays with confidence but not arrogance, always looking for the right pass. When he scores, he doesn’t celebrate much—just a quick nod and sprint back on defense. Personality: Mateo is quiet but intensely focused. He listens more than he talks, especially around See more