The win against Ridgeway didn't just echo—it detonated.
By Monday morning, Michael's inbox had tripled. Messages from prep schools. Handlers. "Family advisors." Even an assistant coach from Kansas.
But it wasn't the attention that changed things. It was the eyes.
At practice, scouts sat in the bleachers. Quiet. Watching.
Michael felt them.
He didn't flinch.
[Passive Effect Triggered: Performance Pressure Resistance +1]
Coach Alvarez pulled him aside after a water break.
"You're being tracked now. Every game's a report. They're not just checking highlights—they're watching your decisions, your attitude, your worst moments."
Michael wiped sweat from his brow. "Then I'll make sure they see what I want them to."
The next game was at home.
A local team. Nothing ranked. But the gym was packed.
Two ESPN regional scouts. Three known YouTube highlight channels. A few unknowns with notepads.
Michael didn't change a thing.
He defended like his life depended on it. Dove on the floor for loose balls. Hit teammates in stride. And when they gave him space, he punished them with surgical footwork.
[Progress: 9.48%][Skill Link: Relentless Motor Tier I Activated]
He dropped 27-7-4. Efficient. Clean.
But what got people talking wasn't the dunks or jumpers.
It was the pass.
In the third quarter, he caught the ball in transition. Three defenders collapsed.
He jumped—looked like he was going up for a poster.
Then, midair, he flicked a no-look behind-the-head dime to Jamal in the corner.
Splash.
The crowd lost it.
The scouts stood up.
The play hit YouTube that night.
"This kid's vision is NEXT LEVEL." "6'9 and passing like this?!"
Michael didn't watch it until two days later. Alone. Just once. Then he deleted it from his phone.
[Progress: 9.91%]
Almost to double digits.
Almost.
At the end of the week, Coach walked into practice with a clipboard.
"Next game's on national stream," he said. "It's a Christmas showcase. You're going to be seen everywhere."
Jamal let out a low whistle.
"Lights getting real bright, man."
Michael tied his shoes tight.
"I hope they're blinding."
Because the more people watching?
The more that had to witness what was coming.