In America, as the March Madness continued to grow, Zhang Yan's popularity also rose.
In China, due to the increasing coverage of various media outlets, Zhang Yan's name gradually entered the eyes of many sports and basketball fans.
Early in the morning, Zhang Yan, who was still asleep, received a call from the other side of the ocean.
"Hey... Who is it…" Zhang Yan answered the call in a daze.
"Who is it? Your dad!"
After hearing the voice on the other end of the phone, Zhang Yan suddenly woke up.
He looked at the caller ID on his phone screen. It was really his father…
"Little Flame, you've become a good kid now? She didn't even tell her father about such a big matter?”
The voice on the other end of the phone was so loud that it almost made Zhang Yan's earwax fall out.
"Dad... What could happen to me! Also, can you keep your voice down? I just woke up, my heart can't take it…"
"You still say it's nothing serious? Didn't you make it into the top 8 of the university basketball competition in Murica a few days ago? Why didn't you tell me or your mother?”
M Nation's Top 8 College Basketball Competition…The words " top eight " from his father's mouth had a strong sense of Chinese characteristics.
"Didn't you say that playing basketball is mainly to strengthen my body and cultivate my character? You even asked me to focus on my studies? I didn't report it to you."
Just as Zhang Yan finished speaking, the voice on the other end of the phone increased again."You've already posted it on the newspapers and television. Can it still be to strengthen your body and cultivate your character?？!”
When Father Zhang first heard that Zhang Yan had joined the school basketball team, he thought that it was his hobby and did not pay much attention to it. He only told him to take care of himself and not to fight too hard or get injured.
Who would have thought that his hit would not only get on Titan Sports but also on the sports channel of CATV5!
He heard that China Television would send reporters to his house for interviews.
This was terrible!
That was why she had called her son in a hurry.
Who would have thought that Zhang Yan's tone would be so calm on the other end of the phone?"Dad, don't get too excited. It's just the NCAA now. It's not too late to get excited when I enter the NBA!”
"What is it? NBA？!!”The voice on the other end of the phone doubled again.
"Yeah, I'm going to participate in this year's NBA draft.”
"You? NBA draft? Little Flame, we have to be down-to-earth. We can't think of reaching the heavens in one step!”
Zhang Yan sighed." Dad, I didn't make it to the top in one go. I made it into the first round of the draft forecast website. All the teams in the NBA are fighting for it this year!”
Father Zhang was also a sports fan. He usually played football, basketball, volleyball, table tennis…He loved to watch any ball game that was broadcasted on CATV5. Last year, when Little Yao entered the NBA, he was excited. He felt that the Chinese men's basketball team was finally going to take off. He did not expect his son to go to the NBA a year later.
Everything felt so surreal!
"Dad? Why aren't you saying anything? Did you faint from excitement? Dad?"
Seeing that there was no response from the other end of the phone, Zhang Yan hurriedly called out twice.
On the other end of the phone, Father Zhang's tone had also returned to calmness."Little Flame, if you have a dream, you have to chase it and work hard!! No matter if you go to the NBA, CBA, or do other jobs in the future, I will support you!”After saying that, Father Zhang looked at Nanny Zhang, who was sitting beside the sofa."Mom said that she supports you too. Our whole family supports you!”
After hearing his parents 'words, Zhang Yan was a little touched.
"When I get into the NBA, I'll bring you two over to M Nation!”
Father Zhang and Mother Zhang looked at each other. Going to M Nation?
This was something they didn't even dare to think about. The two of them were working-class and very busy with work. They rarely even went to the province, let alone go abroad!
"No, no, your mother and I are still used to living here.”
"It's fine if you're not used to living here. Don't you like to watch basketball? I'll take you to watch an NBA game!"
Wade patted Zhang Yan's bed."
"Zhang, stop talking on the phone! Coach Colin told us to attend an impromptu team meeting to make tactical arrangements for our next opponent, Duke University.”
"Okay, let me change my clothes and leave together.”
Zhang Yan said goodbye to his parents and hung up the phone.
The next opponent, Duke University, was strong. Although Zhang Yan and his Marquette Golden Hawks had been smooth sailing in the previous three rounds, they could not be taken lightly.
There were many examples of people failing miserably in sports competitions, and Duke was not one of them.
They had four NBA-level players!
Power forward Shelton Williams was 202 centimeters tall and weighed 115 kilograms. As a freshman, he grew rapidly and became the core of the basketball school in less than half a season.
Although he was not tall enough, his arm span had reached an astonishing 224CM!
It was extremely terrifying. At first glance, it looked like a short and strong rebound monster, but when he stretched out his hand, he realized that it was actually a long-armed ape.
The 198CM tall, 95 kg small forward, Duntay Jones.
He wasn't the purest Duke player. He studied at Rutgers University from 1998 to 2000 and transferred to Duke in 2001.
In addition to the NBA, the NCAA also poached players. Duntay Jones was poached by the school's higher-ups as a replacement for Shane Battier after he entered the NBA.
He could fly and jump, and he often performed exaggerated dunks. His physical fitness and strong defensive will made him the team's top defensive player.
193CM tall, 83 kg shooting guard JJ Redick.
As a freshman like Zhang Yan, Reddick had received a lot of honors in high school.
McDonalds All-American Team, McDonalds High School All-Star MVP, McDonalds All-Star Three-Point Contest Champion, Mr. Basketball of the High School of Pennsylvania, etc.
His three-pointer was the team's deadliest weapon on the outside!
He had an average of 16.5 points per game this season, and his three-point shooting percentage had reached a terrifying 47%!
The last one was the 185CM tall point guard, Chris Duhon.
This guy had a lot of hard honors. Like JJ Redick, he was also the winner of the McDonald's All-Star Three-Point Contest. He was also one of the heroes of Duke University's NCAA championship in 2001. His name was also recorded in various school records.
However, the biggest stars of the team were not these four players.
It was the famous head coach, Old K, Mike Krzyzewski!
" Old K " had entered the Naissmith Hall of Fame in 2001. During his 23 years of coaching, he had been elected as the best college coach 12 times. Under his leadership, Duke University had an average win rate of more than 25 games, setting an NCAA record.
It could be said that Duke University could function normally without anyone, except for Old K.
......
......
After the top eight spots were decided, the organizing committee re-ranked the teams based on their performance and status.
Duke University and Marquette University were ranked first and second after the reshuffling.
It was difficult for the Mars Impact Ball to not attract the attention of the outside world.
After the venue was confirmed, Brand, Battier, Maggette, Boozer, and other NBA players all expressed on social media that they would take time to come to the venue to cheer for Duke University, their alma mater.
One of the most famous was Grant Hill, who was once Jordan's successor.
Hill said that he would bring his teammates McGrady and Mike Miller to cheer for his alma mater.
On the other hand, Marquette University
There was no star player who could match Duke University.
The only active player was called Chris Crawford. It was awkward. Zhang Yan had asked three or four of his teammates, but none of them knew about this guy!
This was the difference in foundation.
However, Zhang Yan didn't care about these things. After all, the players who were playing on the court weren't the famous Duke players.
Zhang Yan was very curious. If he blew up their junior in front of these legendary figures, what kind of expression would they have?
The five days of rest passed quickly.
Although it was a break time, Zhang Yan and his teammates spent the past five days in the stadium, apart from eating and sleeping.
They had to take down the top eight elites!
The game was set to be held at the Washington Wizards 'home stadium, Verison Center.
The atmosphere was lively and the shouts shook the sky!
Just as the audience was waiting for the top eight to begin, an unexpected guest appeared!
Michael Jordan appeared in the top eight without warning. He had not revealed to any media that he would be watching the game.
When they saw Jordan's appearance, the media swarmed forward like mad dogs smelling meat buns!
"Michael, may I ask why you are here tonight?”
Jordan chewed on his gum and said pretentiously,""Do I need a reason to come to my house to watch the game?”
01-02 This season, it was Jordan's second comeback since joining the Washington Wizards. The Wizards 'home stadium was the Verison Center Arena, the venue of tonight's game, so there was nothing wrong with his answer.
The reporter who asked the question was rendered speechless by the old hooligan's retort. The next reporter brought the microphone to his mouth.
"Michael, who are you supporting tonight?”
“Oh! Come-ON! I just want to watch the NCAA competition with a relaxed mood. If I have to say who I'm here for, it's for the child who said he doesn't have a template!”
Obviously, the child that Jordan was talking about was Zhang Yan!
Zhang Yan's post-match interview, where he said," I don't have a template," caused quite a stir among the NBA players.
Many players said that they had never seen such a pretentious person in their lives!
However, Jordan was different from most players. He liked players with personality, but only if they had the ability.
That was why Jordan appeared on the field tonight.
He really wanted to see if this kid's strength was worthy of his flamboyant personality!
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