When you see someone after three days, you should look at them with fresh eyes.
Renowned NBA scouting godfather, Matty Blake, once critiqued American college basketball this way: "For college basketball, we can never use yesterday's eyes to look at tomorrow.
Because here, the growth rate of young players often needs to be measured by the day."
Past geniuses might fall at any second.
While those who were once obscure also have the opportunity to become famous overnight.
This is American college basketball.
Even the most seasoned NBA scouts do not dare to guarantee they can accurately predict the growth trajectory of every young player.
In September, on the first day of school at Wake Forest University, Qin Yue, who had turned over a new leaf, unsurprisingly became the center of attention.
Before the start of school, Qin Yue had successfully reduced his weight to 148 kilograms and smoothly obtained the fifth and sixth phase rewards bestowed by the Mountaintop system.
Compared to the "Qin Yue" at the end of his freshman year.....
Even though a long distance still lay between him and the victory of the revolution, after losing 32 kilograms over the summer, Qin Yue at this moment not only had a full mental state but also looked more normal compared to the past.
His face was thinner, his waist was slimmer, the flesh of his whole body was also more toned, coupled with the exaggerated descriptions by the school newspaper of him in the River Valley Cup streetball game, he suddenly transformed from the disgrace of Wake Forest into today's model of inspiration.
On the first day of school, many students who suffered from obesity idolized Qin Yue and wanted to ask him for weight loss tips.
And some curious female students who were interested in Qin Yue's journey of redemption expressed through various hints the hope of discussing life's philosophy with him on a quiet night.
Qin Yue wasn't someone inexperienced in life, so upon receiving such hints, he made sure to note the contact information of a few female students who matched his aesthetic preferences.
"Indeed, life lies in movement."
Unlike the previous "Qin Yue," who was not good with words and liked to avoid problems, on the first school day, many of Qin Yue's classmates sensed his completely renewed appearance.
In his previous life, when dominating the amateur courts, Qin Yue particularly enjoyed interacting with people of different ages and personalities.
Apart from being naturally eloquent, he was also very good at listening, so he never lacked friends wherever he went.
...
After the opening ceremony, in the afternoon, the Devil's Deacon Team officially gathered.
Before training started, the team held an induction ceremony for Chris Paul, according to tradition.
At the induction ceremony, looking at Paul finally wearing the Wake Forest University jersey, Prose turned and complained to his assistant coach, "Thank God, we snatched a genius point guard from North Carolina."
On the side, upon hearing Prose's old man grumbling, Qin Yue couldn't help but sigh at the vicissitudes of fate.
Because if Qin Yue remembered correctly...
As a die-hard fan of North Carolina and a kid who grew up watching Jordan play, when choosing a school in his senior year, the university Paul most wanted to attend was North Carolina.
Unfortunately, because North Carolina had already succeeded in recruiting another genius point guard, Raymond Felton, for the same position...
After some deliberation, Wake Forest became the backup choice and final decision for Paul.
However...
Despite being unable to play for North Carolina being a major regret, judging from Paul's future career, this fate with Wake Forest University quietly helped him undergo a transformation.
Because the team's previous star player, Josh Howard, graduated in the summer, at this moment, lack of leadership was the truest depiction of this Devil's Deacon Team.
As in Qin Yue's memory, on the first day of training, Prose positioned Paul as the absolute core of the team's new season.
As is known, the point guard position on the basketball court is one that requires a significant amount of game experience and ball-handling opportunities to nurture growth.
Therefore, if Paul had chosen North Carolina, even if he managed to outperform Felton and become the main point guard, it would be difficult for him to obtain the absolute control on the court as he has now.
On the training ground, to help Paul establish authority, Prose arranged for a scrimmage with two halves of 5 minutes each.
In both halves, Paul would wear white and black jerseys to play for the White Team and Black Team, respectively.
Furthermore, before the scrimmage started, Prose specifically reminded everyone that if anyone on the court did not follow Paul's tactics, his assistant would immediately substitute them out.
Yes, you're seeing it right.
In this 10-minute total scrimmage, old man Prose even comfortably handed his tactics board to Paul.
Although during summer training with Paul, Qin Yue felt his tactical reserves far exceeded those of his peers...
At this moment, watching Paul, a freshman, assigning tactics to his teammates, Qin Yue couldn't help but feel a bit exasperated.
"Qin, come here."
In the gym, smiling benevolently at Qin Yue, after calling him to his side, Prose said, "You won't participate in the next scrimmage."
Hearing this, first startled then confused, Qin Yue, who was about to speak, was interrupted by Prose, "Your priority is to fully absorb the knowledge I taught you over the summer.
So before our warm-up game against North Carolina starts, you will train alone."
The first official game of the Devil's Deacon Team in the 03/04 season would not begin until mid-November, so to ensure the team kicked off the new season in peak condition, Prose arranged several warm-up matches early on.
And the warm-up game with North Carolina was the team's last warm-up game before the new season, scheduled for November 5th.
"Rest assured, once you digest the techniques I've taught you, I will not only integrate you into team training immediately, but I will also design a set of tactics tailored to your strengths.
Don't be disheartened, young man, you have more important things to do right now.
Before the warm-up game against North Carolina begins, you must quickly continue losing weight.
Additionally, your current stamina does need strengthening." Patting Qin Yue vigorously on the back, Prose spoke sincerely.
Upon seeing this, Qin Yue, relieved, obediently nodded.
Goodness, am I truly taking on Sakuragi Hanamichi's script?
At this moment, having received encouragement from the team's head coach, although eager to join team training immediately, Qin Yue also understood...
The advice Prose offered could truly help him avoid many detours.
Unlike the previously played River Valley Cup 3-on-3 streetball game.
A full-court 5-on-5 basketball game is quite a different concept altogether.
Though Qin Yue had already dropped more than 30 kilograms of fat, if he were to participate in a formal full-court 5-on-5 game immediately, not to mention how much performance he could deliver in the match...
He would likely find himself utterly exhausted within minutes on the court.
In Qin Yue's view, Prose's decision for him to train separately was rooted in a step-by-step approach.
Therefore, upon realizing the key points, Qin Yue became convinced that he already held considerable standing in Prose's eyes.
After all, not everyone on the Devil's Deacon Team had the chance to receive individual guidance from Prose.
In the gym, just as the White and Black Teams were about to begin their full-court scrimmage, Prose, smiling broadly, arrived at the half-court where Qin Yue prepared for his solo training.
Seeing this scene, nearly every player on the Devil's Deacon Team realized just how much Prose valued Qin Yue.
"Am I really going to end up watching the water cooler this new season?"
At this moment, the Beast, Chris Ellis admitted, he indeed started to worry...
Even though not long after the scrimmage began, he received Paul's pass and completed a brilliant slam dunk.
But when Ellis noticed that Prose had not paid attention to their side from start to finish, his gaze constantly fixed on Qin Yue, who was training alone, he couldn't help but feel an inexplicable chill in his heart.
"Is that guy really that special?"
...
PS: Sorry, due to a power outage at home from morning till now, the update is delayed, I hope dear readers won't mind! Additionally, please beg for collections, monthly tickets, and recommendation votes!