On the court, when the trio was stunned by the impromptu opening performances of Su Feng and Kobe, they noticed Su Feng, their old acquaintance, proactively walking toward them.
If Su Feng's voice at that moment were written down, it might go something like:
"What kind of typhoon blew you three all the way across the Pacific?"
Su Feng was well aware that, in this era, communication technology and the speed of message transmission were far behind what the future would bring.
So, a bold idea quickly formed in his mind.
…
Behind the basketball hoop, Zhang Weiping, who had already lost his composure, watched Su Feng walking toward him. Pulling himself together, he took the initiative to say, "Hi, Su Feng. I'm Ai Mu Zhang Weiping…"
Just as Su Feng was thinking about how to greet the three mentors, Zhang's sudden enthusiasm nearly interrupted him.
Whoa… Well, that makes sense.
Su Feng smiled and said warmly, "Teachers, you can speak Chinese."
Zhang Weiping: "..."
Oh no, that occupational habit again!
Since arriving in the United States, Zhang had seized every opportunity to speak English with locals to improve his language skills.
Standing nearby, Xu Jicheng chuckled, "Hello, Su Feng, I'm a reporter from Datianchao News Agency and a basketball consultant at Datianchao TV.
This is Su Junyang, a reporter from China Sports News, and this is…"
"I know them," Su Feng smiled. "I grew up watching Director Zhang play and develop."
This time, it was Zhang Weiping's turn to marvel. No wonder I thought this kid was so good-looking.
After a brief exchange, Su Feng quickly confirmed his suspicion with the trio.
"Wait… Stern sent my profile to Datianchao TV?"
Su Feng drew a sharp breath at the surprising revelation.
Does this mean I've caught Big Brother's attention? But since when?
The news was crucial to Su Feng. It made him feel that his chances of completing The Road to Genius had reached 95%.
"Wow—those muscles! Daxu, Xiaosu, come touch this.
I always say this—what domestic basketball players lack most is this kind of muscle."
As Su Feng was deep in thought, Director Zhang walked up, couldn't resist, and playfully grabbed Su Feng's thick elbow.
Su Feng: "..."
"This palm is huge! I think even Michael Jordan's hand isn't bigger than this."
Xu Jicheng didn't comment, but while gazing at Su Feng's nearly flawless physique, he couldn't help but sigh.
"Um… Can I touch it?" Su Junyang asked with curious eyes.
Su Feng was about to decline, but Zhang quickly jumped in, "Hey—watch where you're touching!"
Since Su Feng didn't object, Su Junyang grinned and reached out to feel his toned muscle.
Don't let his current 85 kg fool you—it's 5 kg less than the 90 kg target set by Mancias for his NBA rookie season.
Mancias tailored Su Feng's standards according to the NBA benchmark.
In the '90s, while watching tapes, Su Feng often thought:
If those golden generation male players had better conditions, how much better could they have been?
At that time, most Chinese players were quite skinny, save for a few exceptions.
So when Zhang saw Su Feng's powerful build, he was simply mesmerized.
"Well then, teachers, I'll head to the court first. I'll treat you to dinner later." Su Feng said politely.
Director Zhang frowned. "You're still a student—how could we let you pay?"
"Such a delightful young man," Xu Jicheng said, watching Su Feng walk away with admiration.
Su Junyang nodded. He had read American reports on Su Feng before coming.
Initially, he'd imagined a young prodigy like Su Feng would be arrogant and aloof…
But to his surprise, Su Feng was warm and approachable.
Especially when Su Junyang touched his muscles—Su Feng didn't get mad, he even smiled.
"Way too handsome… I think he's more good-looking than all the stars from Hong Kong and Taiwan combined," Su Junyang said.
…
The trio of team staff momentarily silenced by Su Feng's charm were no longer a concern.
After warmups, the 1995–96 Pennsylvania High School Basketball League season officially tipped off.
After the graduation of Stewart, one of the original "Three Rebels," Lower Merion High brought in a new "Rebel-in-Chief," Donell.
Eric Catholic High School, last season's state final opponent, had reinforced its lineup. Alongside returners like Michael Carter and Nelson, they added a new inside threat—Sissoko.
At the center circle, just before tip-off, Su Feng noticed a flicker of melancholy on Kobe Bryant's face.
Being in tune with his favorite scoring machine's emotions…
Su Feng was always sensitive to his friends' moods. After all, Kobe's emotional state could directly impact Su Feng's stat-padding ambitions.
So before the game began, Su Feng asked gently, "Kobe, you okay?"
Kobe shook his head. "I'm fine."
But Su Feng knew better—Kobe had something on his mind.
Oh well...
That was just Kobe. If he didn't want to talk, Su Feng wouldn't push.
Time for a satisfying slaughter instead!
On the tip-off, Kobe easily outjumped Nelson.
Lower Merion started their offense. Point guard Swartz dribbled past half court and handed the ball off to Kobe.
Su Feng made a quick cut past the baseline and received Kobe's pass off Lasman's pick at the top of the arc.
Swish—!
A picture-perfect three!
3–0!
Cheers of "Su! Su! Su!" erupted around the basketball hall.
Courtside, Zhang Zhiyou was thrilled. "See that? Catch-and-shoot—just like I always say. This technique is highly valued in Europe now."
Xu Jicheng nodded. "Quick release—something all future shooters must master."
Beside them, Su Junyang took out his notebook and quietly jotted down every word.
Smack—!
On Eric Catholic's possession, Michael Carter blew past Swartz and went up for a layup—
But Su Feng came flying in from the wing and smacked away Carter's dream of two points!
Su Feng's dominance on both ends of the court lit up the arena.
Kobe grabbed the loose ball, dribbled down, and launched a fast break. Su Feng kept pace, received the dish, and—
Snap— he flicked it up without hesitation.
Director Zhang, halfway through saying "That was a wild shot," froze—
Because the ball ripped through the net.
A flashback to the whirlwind era of Xiaokulingling filled his mind.
6–0!
Lower Merion's first six points? All Su Feng.
Eric Catholic attacked again. Carter created space off a screen, but Su Feng's suffocating defense left him clanging iron.
Kobe soared for the board and pushed the tempo.
Welcome to "Sewer Data Farming 2.0"—but don't worry, it's foolproof.
If Su Feng wanted inflated stats, he had to keep the game fast-paced.
More possessions = more opportunity to shine.
Luckily, high school teams didn't manage tempo like NBA squads.
During preseason, Su Feng realized that if Lower Merion controlled rhythm, opponents would often follow suit.
Another assist from Kobe. Su Feng cut through the middle, caught the pass with one arm, leaped, and threw down a monster dunk.
Since training his vertical leap, he'd shed the nickname "Human Glide Essence."
Now? He was "Su—the living highlight reel—Feng."
"Nice pass, Kobe!" Su Feng smiled, tapping fists with his teammate.
But Kobe didn't look thrilled.
Three assists in under two minutes, and still not smiling.
He liked passing… so what was wrong?
Subbing out, Kobe muttered: "Su… don't you think… this is kinda boring?"
"What do you mean?" Su Feng asked.
"High school basketball's too easy. You saw preseason—none of the teams put up a fight." Kobe looked downcast.
Hmm… are you turning into Qingfeng Dahui or what?
But Su Feng paused.
He realized… yeah, this version of Kobe in high school was like a max-level player stomping noobs in beginner's zone.
In Su Feng's past life, Kobe carried the team solo. But now, with Su Feng by his side, the state championship was practically guaranteed.
Last year, winning meant everything—Kobe had never tasted glory before.
But now...
With both of them evolving rapidly, the league just wasn't tough enough anymore.
"Don't worry. The NBA will be packed with real challenges."
Su Feng tried to lift Kobe's spirits—if Kobe lost interest, who'd be feeding Su Feng those sweet assists?
"That's what I worry about," Kobe said. "Su, do you really think we're ready for the NBA?"
Su Feng hesitated.
He knew what Kobe was getting at.
In his past life, Kobe skipped college and jumped straight to the NBA—partly because a mysterious rival played him one-on-one and lost.
That moment showed Kobe he could hang with the pros.
If memory served, that rival was about to appear.
So Su Feng placed an arm around Kobe and said, "I don't know if I'm ready. But I know I'll play every game like it's my last."
"If you're scared of failure, you've already given up."
Hearing that, Kobe's eyes lit up again.
"You're right, Su!"
Watching Kobe's fire reignite, Su Feng felt… weird.
Using Iverson and Kobe's own motivational mantras to inspire Kobe?
Ah, never mind the irony!
…
Off the court, the trio of team officials were completely stunned by Su Feng and Kobe's performance.
Along with his emotions, Director Zhang kept questioning Maxon about the Black player on Su Feng's team.
"You mean Kobe? He's Lower Merion's best player. Actually, Su ranks second," Maxon replied.
"Director Zhang, you're a former national team player—what's your take on Su Feng's current level?" asked Su Junyang with curiosity.
Hearing that, Xu Jicheng also turned to Zhang Weiping with interest.
"That's really hard to say," Zhang Weiping replied.
"What if we compare him to Lao Hu?" pressed Su Junyang.
"Well, that's another matter. If we're being honest, Su Feng's offensive arsenal isn't as complete as Xiaohu's.
But let's be clear—Su Feng is just 17 years old. And based on his dunk, in the domestic guard circle, the only one I've seen with a similar dunk is Xiaohu.
According to Maxon, Su Feng's greatest strength is his defense. And sure enough, you can see how dazzling he's been on that end.
But here's the issue—we lack a proper benchmark!
You need someone to challenge you defensively in order to gauge how strong Su Feng really is." Zhang paused and added thoughtfully.
"I agree with Lao Zhang. Today's opponents were clearly too weak to draw meaningful comparisons," Xu Jicheng said.
"But wait, Maxon just said... this year's opponent was last year's runner-up," said Su Junyang.
Zhang Weiping, Xu Jicheng: "…"
"It'd be great to have better comparisons. But the Americans aren't exaggerating—Su Feng is seriously talented.
Despite everything I've said, one thing's for sure: 17-year-old Hu Weidong wasn't as naturally gifted as 17-year-old Su Feng," Zhang concluded.
"Yeah, if only we had stronger comparisons," echoed Su Junyang and Xu Jicheng, slightly regretful.
…
Just as the matchup between Lower Merion and Eric Catholic was heating up…
At the Philadelphia 76ers training facility, Coach John Lucas was reviewing a report sent by scout Elvin about Kobe Bryant and Su Feng.
Upon reading it, Lucas couldn't help but feel that today's scouts were getting more and more careless.
"Isn't this just Maxson's commentary from the Philadelphia Evening News?" he muttered.
As if John Lucas didn't read the newspaper himself?
"Come on… If Maxson's right, then Kobe and Su could head straight to the NBA from high school," Lucas chuckled at the idea.
"Oh right—Tarvia goes to Lower Merion too. Maybe I should catch one of their games firsthand," he considered.
While John Lucas was weighing the idea, Jerry Stackhouse strolled into the gym for practice.
"Morning, Coach," said Stackhouse, still a rookie but riding high on confidence lately.
That summer, he had been invited to train with his "brother" Michael Jordan—and even served as a sparring partner for His Airness.
That brief experience left Stackhouse thinking… Jordan wasn't untouchable after all.
During their scrimmages, Stackhouse felt like he could go toe-to-toe with MJ.
And now, early in the season, he was averaging nearly 18 points per game.
"This is my time!" More than once, Stackhouse fantasized about becoming the league's top shooting guard.
"Morning, Jerry." John Lucas greeted him, then asked, "You've heard of Kobe and Su, right?"
Hearing the names, Stackhouse's expression darkened and he nodded.
Of course I've heard of them—how could I not?
Since arriving in Philly, Stackhouse noticed something upsetting: even when he played well, local fans seemed more interested in those two high school kids!
Why?
He was a North Carolina standout, Michael Jordan's protégé, and the top rookie of 1995.
How could he be overshadowed by a couple of "wet-behind-the-ears" teenagers?
What… just because they were called "Little Bulls"?
Did people think Stackhouse didn't know what high school basketball looked like?
Those kids, worthy of that nickname? Give me a break.
And honestly, every time Stackhouse thought about it, his blood boiled.
In his eyes, they were the ones stealing his spotlight.
Especially that one—Su Feng.
Why does he have to be so good-looking?
What, too handsome for basketball? Shouldn't he be making movies instead?
"Wait… you know Kobe and Su too? Looks like I really need to check out Lower Merion myself," Lucas said with a smile.
Lower Merion?
"Coach, you're going to Lower Merion?" Stackhouse asked curiously.
"Yeah—why?"
"Can I come with you?"