The win against Efes was more than just another notch in the standings; it was a declaration of intent. Kyle Wilson wasn't just participating in his basketball rebirth; he was commanding it. The narrative in the European press shifted from a feel-good comeback story to serious analysis of a dominant two-way force. And the NBA, a league with a voracious appetite for talent and a notoriously short memory, began to stir.
The first sign was subtle. A presence. A man in a sharp, expensive-looking overcoat, sitting courtside at the WiZink for a relatively mundane league game against Valencia. He didn't cheer. He didn't react. He just watched, a tablet balanced on his knees, his expression unreadable. He was Jeff Peterson, Assistant General Manager of the Orlando Magic.
Arianna noticed him first. "Who's that?" she whispered, nodding toward the man during a timeout. "He looks... American."
