One Year Left to Play-Chapter 80 - 25: Everything Has Only Just Begun!

As these words left his mouth, everyone’s eyes focused on Zhang Hao.

What Zhang Hao just said was exactly their dream, wasn’t it?

Like Garnett, it means entering the NBA, the pinnacle stage of basketball!

If someone else had said it, they might have thought it was too arrogant. There are so many geniuses entering the NCAA every year, and every year so many basketball players participate in the draft. But now, only about 50 people are selected in the draft each year.

After reaching the pinnacle of high school, they realized just how strong the others were. Although they were all confident geniuses, compared to Garnett, Kobe, and Odom, those excessively gifted individuals...

But when Zhang Hao said it, everyone thought it was quite normal.

During the training camp, they felt Zhang Hao’s admirable confidence.

Everyone started to envision the moment their names would be called in the draft.

Garnett, rare as he is, didn’t refute Zhang Hao, but instead smiled and said, "I’ll be waiting for you in the NBA."

Zhang Hao looked at Garnett, smiled, and responded, "See you in the NBA!"

...

...

"Oh, oh, oh, Aix, your performance was amazing this time. I wanted to do what you did last year but didn’t succeed. I think I could make it this year if I went, but I’ve given you the opportunity. You need to thank me. My mom made a lot of delicious food tonight to celebrate your MVP win. You must come on time."

Back in Los Angeles, back in the apartment, there was the familiar chatterbox and the familiar little chubby guy. Indeed, this is the genuine article; Marbury was just a wannabe.

Listening to Pierce’s rambling, Zhang Hao played the role of a good listener.

Although envious, Pierce didn’t harbor any jealousy. However, he still had to brag a bit. Pierce vaguely felt that he might be getting surpassed by Zhang Hao. During previous training sessions, he noticed the rapid improvement of Zhang Hao’s mid-range shot. Of course, he was happy about it because Zhang Hao becoming stronger means he has the opportunity to continue progressing on the basketball path.

But he didn’t expect Zhang Hao could actually win the MVP of the Adidas Training Camp, which is one of the top honors in American high school basketball. From a specific perspective, it compares to the Associated Press evaluation of the best national high school student. This year’s best national high school student is the NBA draft’s first-round hot pick, Kevin Garnett.

Pierce also felt the pressure, thinking he should train harder, with losing weight as the top priority...

While rambling, Pierce remembered something and switched topics, "Oh, Aix, my mom said the UCLA Bruins coach called, hoping to meet with you after you return. OH, NO! I’ve already turned them down. I lost the chance to keep being your teammate at university..."

Zhang Hao already knew this. Earlier today, before he left the hotel in San Francisco, the club manager of the Stanford University Redwood Team from the Pac-12 Conference had already come to see him once. Unfortunately, the Redwood Team’s head coach is currently on vacation, traveling in Europe, but they made an appointment to meet in Los Angeles in a little while.

This Adidas Training Camp benefited many people, as those who made it into the elite game list all gained advantages. Being selected for the elite game list during this period is still highly recognized in NCAA schools, unlike in the future when Adidas, McDonald’s, and Nike camps compete for talented high schoolers, holding training camps simultaneously, which will lower the standard of every event.

Like Kobe, even though he lost, the scene of him fighting alone allowed his dad to appear on TV shows to showcase his son.

Garnett’s selfless style of play and strong skills also received high praise from NBA scouts.

Odom became an instant hit, earning the nickname "Left-Handed Magician," only just turning 16 in November, with his talent practically exploding! 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

The one who gained the most benefits is naturally Zhang Hao.

These people are excellent, but are overpowered in the elite game!

mid-range shots made! It’s unbelievable!

UCLA is a local school. If UCLA doesn’t make an effort, the local media would definitely go haywire.

After Zhang Hao returned to Inglewood over the following days, many university coaches came to visit. No one paid him any mind before; he was troubled. But now over ten universities are interested, and he’s experiencing a decision dilemma...

Originally, the best choice was definitely UCLA. His first university choice was the local UCLA, followed by USC. But back then, only the latter was willing to offer a partial scholarship, which was just equivalent to a regular scholarship, and traditionally, getting a sports scholarship means you can’t get a regular scholarship.

Now these two universities come with full scholarships, but Zhang Hao is quite resistant...

On May 24th, finally, all the meetings with NCAA Division 1 schools ended.

Over the past four days, from May 20th to 23rd, the basketball club managers and head coaches from 17 NCAA universities came to the Pierce family’s apartment to meet with Zhang Hao.

Because there were so many meetings, Zhang Hao didn’t make an immediate decision. He really doesn’t know how to decide now.

Scholarships are all the same, the considerations are not about that, but about the city where the university is located, the quality of education, the living environment for Chinese-Americans...

The best choice among them is the University of Kansas, where Pierce is going to attend next semester. The Wildcats are a traditional NCAA powerhouse. If Zhang Hao joins, they’d form the most potential frontcourt duo.