Media day didn't start with cameras. It started with sneakers.
A fresh pair—Nike Zoom Generations, deadstock. Sitting in my locker.
No tag. No note. Just there.
LeBron grinned when he saw me clock them.
"Only two pairs handed out today," he said. "You earned that."
I didn't say thanks. Just laced them up. Quiet.
The media swarm came soft at first. Local guys. Beat reporters. A few handheld recorders and some grainy cameras.
"Marcello Wyatt—G League MVP, Turkey pro, Cavs rookie camp riser. How's it feel being the talk of July?"
"It's June," I said. "And I haven't made the team."
They laughed. That was the play. Disarm. Stay low.
But I caught the shift. Silas watching. Paxson nodding. Davis in the back, arms crossed.
They heard everything.
We scrimmaged for the press. Just half-court sets. Show drills. But the tempo didn't lie.
First set, I hit a mid-post fade over Smush.
Second set, I jumped the passing lane and finished on the break.
Third time down, I called the action myself. Horns flare. LeBron cut. Easy dish. Dunk.
Coaches clapped. Media buzzed.
And then it hit me.
Not a pain. Not adrenaline.
Something cleaner.
Like clarity.
SYSTEM UNLOCKED
Upgrade Menu Now Available
SP Balance: 21
Options:
Attributes: Shooting | Speed | Handle | Defense | Passing
Badges: Unlock | Upgrade
Tactics: Refine Named Move (Floater Fade)
Shop: Consumables | Equipment | Flash Installs | Vet Challenge Tokens
SYSTEM NOTE: Upgrades may be made anytime outside of play. Strategic use encouraged.
That night, I stayed in the gym.
Shot 500. Midrange, floaters, catch-and-pulls. Tried to feel the upgrades before I chose them.
Coach Lucas walked in around midnight.
"You know sleep's still part of training, right?"
I kept shooting.
He didn't leave.
"Davis isn't the only vet who sees you coming. You keep working like this? You're going to have to lead, not chase."
Then he left me to it.
Back at the dorm, I opened the System menu.
Attribute Options:
Midrange Shot (Level 3 → 4): Cost 8 SP
First Step (Level 2 → 3): Cost 6 SP
Defensive Read (Level 1 → 2): Cost 5 SP
Badge Options:
On-Ball Hound (2/10 → 3/10): Cost 1 SP
Floater Fade (3/10 → 4/10): Cost 1 SP
Shop (Selected Items):
Ice Therapy Boost (Next Day Stamina +20%): Cost 2 SP
Playbook Upload: Horns Set Mastery (+Execution): Cost 5 SP
Vet Challenge Token: Trigger 1v1 with Roster Vet (Risk/Reward): Cost 7 SP
I sat with it. Let it breathe.
Then I made my first choice.
SYSTEM CONFIRMATION
Upgrade: Midrange Shot to Level 4 (Cost: 8 SP)
Upgrade: Defensive Read to Level 2 (Cost: 5 SP)
Badge: On-Ball Hound Progress (3/10)
SP Remaining: 7
Next morning, I felt it. Release crisper. Reads tighter.
In drills, I jumped two backdoor cuts before they happened. Hit three straight from the elbow.
"Wyatt's locked in today," Silas said.
The locker room noticed.
So did Davis.
And just before we broke, Lucas slapped the clipboard.
"Ricky. Marcello. One-on-one. Best of five. Now."
LeBron looked at me. Didn't speak.
I stepped forward.
"Let's play."
END OF CHAPTER 4
STAT SNAPSHOT
Marcello Wyatt - Undrafted Rookie Invitee
SP Total: 7
Trust Meters:
Coaching Staff: Warm+ (4)
LeBron James: Warm+ (5)
Ricky Davis: Cold (-4)
Badge Progress:
Floater Fade: 3/10
On-Ball Hound: 3/10
Communication Vision: Active
Playbook Familiarity: 2/10
New Attribute Levels:
Midrange Shot: 4
Defensive Read: 2
MEDIA ECHO:
"Wyatt keeps climbing. Cavs may have a sleeper. But vets aren't sleeping on him anymore." — Cleveland Plain Dealer