The purpose of this study was to compare the differences in ethnic-specific ball passing interactions, social status, levels of categorization, and situational conditions of inter-group contact of ethnic-specific and ethnic-separated high school boys' basketball players and to determine the effects of winning on the conditions of situational conditions of inter-group contact. The final purpose was to determine a qualitative perspective of the inter-group relations of interethnic high school boys' basketball teams.

The participants consisted of five White-Indian and eight White-Black bi-ethnic mixed high school boys' varsity basketball teams throughout the United States including 123 individual players.

The quantitative data in this study were obtained from a ball passing interaction measurement, a sociometric inventory and best friend nomination procedure, the Levels of Categorization Scale, and the Conditions of Contact Index. The qualitative data included focus group interviews of two Black-White and two Indian-White starters and ethnic boundary data including an observation of a game environment, team pictures and road trip bus seating patterns.

The chi-square analysis indicated no statistically significant differences for Indian and White choices of Indian and White receivers. However, there was statistical significance for Black and White choices of Black and White receivers.

The MANOVA analysis indicated differences between perceived social status between same-race preferences on the four categories of leader, motivator, performer, and counselor. A chi-square was statistically significant that the best friend race related to the respondent's race.

Multiple linear regression analyses were used that explained team winning percentage with the three conditions of contact including interdependence, equal status, and interaction. The omnibus test for the model was not significant.

There were no statistically significant differences on levels of categorization and on the three conditions of contact between the races. The Black, White, and Indian player's positive average differences indicated the players rated their same-race teammates higher.

The focus group interviews were designed to explore the interethnic group dynamics of the high school boys' basketball teams. The team culture revealed the priority of team unity and cross-ethnic experiences.

The findings of this study supported the need to provide meaningful opportunities for diverse racial groups to interact positively on and off the basketball court. The influence of the same-race relationships of basketball players affected the choice of a player receiving the ball and the choice of their best friend on the team. A larger N may have provided more significance in the categorization and conditions of contact research questions.