Two star basketball players, Donnell, a black kid from the inner city, and Jason, a white kid from the affluent suburbs, are sentenced to 30 days' labor in each other's communities following a brawl between their two teams. When they return to their home turf, both see their new attitudes put to the test: Donnell struggles to stay clear of trouble as his brother maintains an uneasy gang truce, while Jason becomes disillusioned with his family and friends when he realizes how spoiled and insensitive they can be. Tragedy ultimately creates a bond of friendship between the two former enemies, and their fierce rivalry is replaced by shared goals and teamwork.