A small double dormitory room was kept quite clean by Duncan. The cabinet was filled with various Lego cars, from excavators to sports cars, neatly lined up.
"You like cars?" He Ximeng asked Duncan, pointing to the row of cars.
Duncan nodded, "Yes! But more accurately, I like the feeling of focus and immersion that comes with building cars..."
"Focus? Immersion? That's great! On the court, such good habits are also needed!"
He Ximeng couldn't help but give Duncan a thumbs up. All good habits originate from life. Duncan's outstanding performance on the court is inseparable from his daily accumulation.
"What about you? Besides basketball, do you have any hobbies?"
"Me?" He Ximeng suddenly realized he was quite a boring person when Duncan asked him. In his previous life, he had basically put all his energy into his basketball dreams. Training players, refining tactics, leading the team in games... week after week, season after season.
From a student at a basketball academy, to an assistant coach for the 76ers, an assistant coach for the Spurs, head coach for the Wizards, head coach for the Lakers, head coach for the Bobcats... head coach for the Clippers... then owning a team, and then giving that team to Kayla...
Everything, his entire life, was basically centered around basketball...
In this life? Would the situation be any different?
He Ximeng felt it was uncertain! But if possible, he hoped this life would be as exciting as possible.
Wouldn't playing himself be more exciting and stimulating than coaching others to play?
While He Ximeng was lost in thought, Duncan was staring at him, as if trying to read his mind...
"If I had to say one hobby outside of basketball, it would probably be writing novels..."
"Writing novels? You're also a writer?"
"Not really a writer, I just type words. If I can publish it in the future, I'll earn some living expenses..."
"Amazing! Most of the players I meet like going to bars, chasing girls, riding motorcycles, listening to hip-hop music... you're the first to like writing novels! And possibly the last... By the way, what genre are the novels you write?"
"Pirates of the Caribbean!"
"Cool! Do you have any complete works? Can I see them?"
"Not complete yet! I only have half a novel right now. In the next few months, I plan to finish the second half..."
"Can I participate and offer some small suggestions?"
"Of course! If you want, I can even add a special character for you in it..."
"That's awesome..."
He Ximeng never expected that he couldn't conquer Duncan on the basketball court, but half an unfinished novel made Duncan willingly include He Ximeng in the "insider" circle...
With the support of the head coach and Duncan's approval, He Ximeng's start at Wake Forest University was perfect!
For the next week, He Ximeng participated in team training as usual. While familiarizing himself with NCAA game rules, he slowly showcased his basic skills.
His teammates originally thought He Ximeng was a pure point guard, but He Ximeng shocked the entire team during shooting practice!
Because He Ximeng's three-point shooting stability directly surpassed Rusty, the team's three-point king!
Even more terrifying was that He Ximeng's shooting range extended from beyond the three-point line all the way to near the center court logo!
"Coach Dave, where did you find this treasure?"
On the sidelines, the vice-president, invited by Dave Odom to inspect the team's work, asked Dave Odom in surprise. A few days ago, Dave Odom was still complaining to him that with the core point guard injured, the team might have difficulty achieving its goal of reaching the top 16 in the tournament this year...
"Dean! I poached this kid from Dean!"
"Which Dean? The head coach of North Carolina?"
"Yes! Him! It was really dangerous at the time! Just a little bit more, and Simon would have missed out on Wake Forest and instead worn North Carolina's colors..."
"How could North Carolina let such a rising star slip away?"
"Arrogant, conceited, self-righteous... In short, they were unwilling to take any risks, so I seized the opportunity..." Speaking of this topic, Dave Odom's face lit up with pride, genuinely admiring his decisiveness at the time!
"By the way, Mr. President, this weekend, our game against Virginia is about to begin! This is the first game of the divisional round, and we cannot afford to lose... Regarding Simon's enrollment procedures, what do you think..."
The vice-president did not answer Dave Odom's question directly but patted his shoulder and asked, "Guess this kid's TOEFL score?"
"Didn't meet the minimum score line?" Dave Odom's heart sank. If He Ximeng's TOEFL score didn't meet the minimum admission requirement, it would be troublesome.
"No, no, no! This kid is very talented! He actually scored 623!"
"623 out of 677?"
"Yes! His score is perfectly sufficient to apply to any university in the United States... So, tonight, I will have the academic affairs office complete Simon's enrollment registration!"
"Thank you, Mr. President!" With the vice-president, who was in charge of academic affairs, making the decision, Dave Odom's anxious heart finally settled.
On February 4, 1996, the first round of the Atlantic Coast Conference Divisional Tournament officially kicked off at the Greensboro Coliseum!
The first four games of the first round were played. The first pair to compete was the fourth-ranked Duke University against the fifth-ranked University of Maryland!
As a result, Duke was upset in the first round, losing to Maryland. Duke's strength was not good this year. They played poorly during the regular season. Without core players, even with Coach K's tactical support, it was in vain.
Not only Duke, but He Ximeng also didn't see any familiar faces among the winning Maryland team.
The second pair to compete was the third-ranked University of North Carolina against the sixth-ranked Clemson University!
In the North Carolina lineup, He Ximeng saw three future NBA players: Carter, Jamison, and Jeff McInnis.
In the Clemson lineup, He Ximeng only saw an unfamiliar name: Greg Buckner.
This game, which He Ximeng believed was not evenly matched, ultimately ended with Clemson narrowly winning 75:73!
The three North Carolina players performed poorly and did not live up to their potential.
Coach Dean's on-field coaching also made He Ximeng frown.
With two upsets in the very first round, and two nationally renowned top universities being eliminated, He Ximeng was dumbfounded!
"Aren't North Carolina and Duke top-tier teams in the US?" He Ximeng asked Head Coach Dave Odom in confusion.
"There are no absolute powerhouses in the NCAA!"
The head coach's answer made He Ximeng once again witness the brutal nature of the NCAA's single-elimination system!
"Don't be nervous!" Duncan whispered to He Ximeng, "Do your best, and we will definitely win!"
He Ximeng glanced at Duncan, suppressing the urge to retort, but inwardly he couldn't help but complain, "Which eye of yours sees me as nervous..."
"Next, let's welcome the players from the Wake Forest Demon Deacons..."