Basketball System: Rebound of the Underdog

Flashback, Global Games Finals

Kai looked at the man in front of him, his eyes wide and his mouth slightly agape.

Ethan, 'The Ender,' Henderson.

They had never been acquainted before, so why was it that Steven was telling him that the legendary Ethan wanted to talk?

Kai looked at Steven, silently asking the older player what this was all about. However, Steven merely smirked before turning to walk away.

"Wait," Kai called out, but Ethan cleared his throat, making Kai turn to the legend himself.

Kai straightened his posture and bowed at ninety degrees. "It's a pleasure to meet you, sir," he said. "I am Kai—"

"Kai Guo," Ethan finished his sentence for him. "You are Kai Guo. I know that."

Kai's eyebrows raised in surprise, causing the older man to shake his head and chuckle.

"Don't act surprised now. It would be weird if I didn't know your name when I just watched your match. Besides, you are the most talked about player in this year's Global Games."

Kai pursed his lips and nodded. "It is my honor to be known by you, sir."

"No, it is mine," Ethan smiled. "It seems that what they say is right. You are a polite kid despite your confidence on the court."

Kai scratched the back of his neck. "Umm, why did you want to speak with me, sir?" he asked, addressing the elephant in the room.

"Ah, getting straight to the point, are we?" he chuckled. "That works well for me."

With that, his expression turned serious, and Kai's breath hitched.

"Kai," he started off. "I know talent when I see it, and you are exactly who I'm looking for."

Kai's heart raced in anticipation.

"I want to offer you a spot on the L.A. Lions team," he finally revealed, crossing his arms in front of his chest.

A small gasp left Kai's lips. For some reason, he had a hunch that he was going to be offered such—maybe in the B-league—but not in the L.A. Lions team itself.

Ethan chuckled as he looked at Kai's expression. "I know this is shocking, but I am telling the truth. I want to make you an asset to our main team."

"W—why me?" Kai stammered, asking the cliche question. However, it made sense for him to ask it.

"I live here," he continued. "I'm also not as tall as the players in the FBA. I'm sure there are more players in the West that would love to be recruited by you."

"Are you turning down my offer?" Ethan asked.

Kai shook his head. "I'm just asking, sir."

Ethan couldn't hide his amusement. "There isn't anyone like you," he started off.

Kai felt his heart race even faster. It seemed like it was going to burst out with every word Ethan was saying.

"I have been monitoring the Global Games since the very beginning. You know, I was actually offered to become the coach for this year's U.S. team," he said.

Kai frowned since he didn't know where this conversation was leading.

"However, I refused. Why? Because I wanted to look at all of the players from all the participating countries. If I were coaching a single team, I bet I would fixate more on that particular team. In the end, I would only familiarize myself with a team I was already familiar with."

"Yet, as an audience member, I can see everyone—from teams we deem as a threat to teams that we had no clue would be this strong," he continued, looking into my eyes.

"Your team is the latter one."

"Steven has only officially announced his retirement today, but as his coach in the L.A. Lions, I have known even before the Global Games had started. Since then, I started looking for players—those with the potential to become the next star athlete."

"Coming here, I didn't have a lot of expectations. It's a lot of hassle, you know? Bringing an athlete from a different country to a complete new one. But then, you have surpassed all expectations."

"I came here looking for something good, and yet I've found something even better."

Kai felt his throat tightening up—not because he wanted to cry, but because he had never thought of being recognized internationally this early on in his career. Heck, he was already thinking of going back to Jilin to represent the Shizi Dogs in the Interhigh Preliminaries and Nationals!

"So, you're saying that I can become the next Steven Murr?" Kai asked.

Ethan smirked and shook his head. "You are your own person, Kai. With play-style like that, in a couple more years, I believe you would be the first in the world."

Kai's eyes glowed with his statement. But then, he remembered his emotions a few moments ago—when their country had gained a medal but was still beaten by the U.S. team.

"I—I still have a lot to do here, sir," he started off. "I want to take my country's basketball to the next level."

"And you can," Ethan said. "You can do that in the L.A. Lions. The FBA is a melting pot of talented players from around the world. When you hear of Santiago Marquez of the New York Nobles, you don't automatically think of the U.S., right? You think of the Philippines—where he is from—and it makes you wonder what the league is like there, too."

Kai nodded, agreeing with his sentiment.

"And I know you might want to come back here to represent your country for the next Global Games, and I won't hold it against you. In fact, you can do that in four years time."

"However, imagine how you could grow while waiting for the next Global Games. You would be playing with and against the most talented players in the world," he continued.

Ethan observed Kai's expression and smiled when he saw the conflict in his eyes.

"Here is my number," Ethan said, bringing out a calling card from his pocket.

"I will be here in Beijing until the end of the month. You don't have to worry about the expenses. I will shoulder all of it."

"So, think about it, Kai," he softly said, placing his hands inside his pockets.

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."