The cost of renting Staples was simply far too high for a middle school.
But this time, Wang Yi paid out of pocket to rent the Staples venue for the team.
He wanted these kids to experience what it felt like to play at Staples Center.
Perhaps one of them would feel that spark and decide to pursue basketball, eventually making it to the NBA for real.
By 8:15 that evening, the audience had taken their seats.
More than ten thousand people had come to watch the game.
Most of them were Wang Yi fans, and they were naturally keeping a close eye on Wang Shiyu's progress, too.
Some were media reporters, while others were scouts.
And without a doubt, the scouts were most interested in Wang Shiyu.
Wang Shiyu was about to start high school.
This was likely to be his final middle school game.
The game would directly determine his ranking among the incoming freshmen.
The media had previously predicted that Wang Shiyu would rank among the top fifty incoming freshmen.
The lights blazed on, illuminating the floor at Staples Center until it gleamed like a mirror.
The Lakers' classic purple and gold surrounded them, leaving the middle schoolers momentarily breathless.
Wang Shiyu stood at center court, his fingertips brushing the floor.
This was where Kobe Bryant and James had competed countless times.
A surge of burning energy shot from the soles of his feet to the top of his head.
The referee tossed the ball. The game began.
The opposing team tried to use their physicality to overpower him right from the start.
Wang Shiyu stayed calm, changing direction again and again to shake off his defender.
He pulled up for a mid-range jumper. Nothing but net.
The stands erupted in cheers.
Wang Yi's fans held their