Rebounding from his father's accidental death, 12-year-old Josh Framm moves with his family to the small town of Fernfield, Washington. Being the new kid in town, Josh has no friends and is too shy to try out for the school basketball team. Instead he practices alone on an abandoned court. There, he befriends a runaway golden retriever named Buddy. Josh is amazed when he realizes that Buddy loves to play basketball and is good at it. Josh eventually makes the school team and Buddy is named the Team Mascot. Josh and Buddy become the stars of halftime. Buddy's half-time talent draws media attention. Unfortunately, Buddy's mean former owner, Norm Snively, comes along with a scheme to cash in on the pup's celebrity.