Set in the imaginary town of Tree Hill, North Carolina, this teen-focused drama explores the lives of two half-brothers who share only a surname. Lucas, a brooding and working-class young man, is a gifted basketball player on the streets, but his talent is recognized solely by his friends at the river court. In contrast, Nathan, who is popular and comes from a wealthy background, enjoys being idolized as the star of his high school basketball team. Both are sons of Dan Scott, a former college basketball player who chose to abandon Lucas and his mother, Karen, a decision that continues to affect his life with his wife, Deb, and their son, Nathan.

Until now, Dan has successfully kept his two sons apart. However, the past and present collide when the basketball coach in Tree Hill recruits Lucas for the team, much to the displeasure of Nathan and their father, Dan. The natural rivalry between the brothers intensifies when they both become interested in the same girl, Peyton Sawyer. The echoes of the past continue to influence the future for the residents of Tree Hill, even as a new generation emerges. The series follows the lives and relationships of these two brothers, their friends, and their family as they journey through high school, marriage, and eventually adulthood.