Volume One: I Came, I Saw, I Conquered!

Volume One: I Came, I Saw, I Conquered! Chapter 49: The Boy from Tomball

Over the next month, the Bulldogs players worked hard after their loss. They did their best to keep up with training while preparing for their final exams, putting in tremendous effort. But this year was different. Before, they had mostly stayed within Indiana, but now they had to fly all over the country because several prospects Zhang Yu had identified were outside the state.

"Michigan State's offer to Draymond Green can't be better than ours, can it? I promised him a full scholarship and a starting spot." Zhang Yu looked puzzled.

But like every other American city, beneath Houston's glittering exterior, slums were ugly burn marks on a luxurious carpet, hidden on the city's outskirts and breeding poverty and crime.

"Michigan State's offer to Draymond Green can't be better than ours, can it? I promised him a full scholarship and a starting spot." Zhang Yu looked puzzled.

Zhang Yu's office.

"Klay Thompson has also started to make a name for himself. I heard that his father, Michael Thompson, helped him reach an agreement with Washington State, and he turned us down too."

Next season would be their last in the NCAA, and they didn't want to leave with regrets, so they were all working extremely hard. They weren't like players who were satisfied just making the Sweet Sixteen.

While the players worked hard, the coaching staff wasn't sitting idle either.

Michael Thompson was the first overall pick in the 1978 NBA draft. He had won two championships with the Lakers and put up 20-and-10 numbers in his prime. He was a Lakers legend.

And

Only on the basketball courts enclosed by chain-link fences in vacant lots on street corners did these boys have a world of their own.

"Right. What do you think of him?" Zhang Yu asked.

"Just say it. He thinks I'm too young, doesn't he? What a stubborn old relic." Zhang Yu gave a self-deprecating smile.

Julian Becko, Drew, Mike Green, AJ Graves, and a few others in particular were about to start their senior year. Given their abilities, they had no chance of making the NBA.

"Draymond Green is very eager to go to Michigan State, while Washington State is a traditional powerhouse with a knack for developing shooters. They seem to have offered Klay Thompson excellent terms. I promised him the same, but his father, Michael Thompson, still has some doubts about you..."

"The bastard's a bastard. He hasn't got the guts to do anything. You think you can go to college? No school would ever take you!"

"Right. Michigan State has been interested in Draymond Green for a long time, and he's always dreamed of playing for the Tigers. When we first approached him, he turned down our recruitment without even hearing the terms."

"Right. Michigan State has been interested in Draymond Green for a long time, and he's always dreamed of playing for the Tigers. When we first approached him, he turned down our recruitment without even hearing the terms."

Matthew Graves looked full of remorse. Those two high schoolers were prospects Zhang Yu had specifically told him to prioritize, but he hadn't managed to land either one. He felt terribly guilty.

"But he called you a bastard!" Leslie roared.

Zhang Yu tossed the scouting reports onto the desk and sighed. "Jimmy Butler... His defense really is tough."

Next season would be their last in the NCAA, and they didn't want to leave with regrets, so they were all working extremely hard.

At that moment, a group of boys were playing basketball on a court.

While the players worked hard, the coaching staff wasn't sitting idle either.

The boys weren't like players who were satisfied just making the Sweet Sixteen.

Meanwhile, the tattooed boy grew even more arrogant. "Right. Michigan State has been interested in Draymond Green for a long time, and he's always dreamed of playing for the Tigers. When we first approached him, he turned down our recruitment without even hearing the terms."

Although Zhang Yu hadn't said anything, and Curry hadn't complained, the players all knew that if they were a little stronger, their team wouldn't have lost even with Curry scoring 39 points.

Matthew Graves just chuckled awkwardly, unsure how to respond.

The tattooed boy didn't back down. "They both turned us down?"

During a break in the action, Matthew Graves and Zhang Yu were watching the rough street game from the edge of the court.

Recruiting season had come around again, and Matthew Graves was busy trying to bring fresh talent to the team...

Located in the suburbs of Houston, Tomball was just such a Black community. Its residents did the city's lowest-paying work and lived in poverty. Most of their children grew up on the streets, unable to get a good education.

If they'd kept coasting through the regular season as they had in previous years, they wouldn't have worked this hard. The result would have been the same every year, anyway.

But Zhang Yu and Curry's arrival had given them hope of making it past the Sweet Sixteen. After all, Florida had just won the championship at March Madness, and they'd lost to Florida by only two points!

Matthew Graves sat across from him and hurriedly replied.

They weren't like players who were satisfied just making the Sweet Sixteen.

Zhang Yu's office.

But Zhang Yu and Curry's arrival had given them hope of making it past the Sweet Sixteen. After all, Florida had just won the championship at March Madness, and they'd lost to Florida by only two points!

Next season would be their last in the NCAA, and they didn't want to leave with regrets, so they were all working extremely hard.

At that moment, a group of boys were playing basketball on a court.

Houston, Texas.

"Michigan State's offer to Draymond Green can't be better than ours, can it? I promised him a full scholarship and a starting spot." Zhang Yu looked puzzled.

Matthew Graves awkwardly chuckled.

To keep from holding the team back, everyone was giving it their all. Curry kept training as hard as ever, and the sound of basketballs pounding the floor never stopped echoing through Hinkle Fieldhouse.

Zhang Yu tossed the scouting reports onto the desk and sighed. "You..."

He clenched his fist and started to charge forward, but Jimmy grabbed him and held him back.

"I'm talking about who you think I am. You know perfectly well—the bastard his mother abandoned!"

"You..." He clenched his fist and started to charge forward, but Jimmy grabbed him and held him back.

"The bastard's a bastard. He hasn't got the guts to do anything. You think you can go to college? No school would ever take you!"

"Draymond Green is very eager to go to Michigan State, while Washington State is a traditional powerhouse with a knack for developing shooters. They seem to have offered Klay Thompson excellent terms. I promised him the same, but his father, Michael Thompson, still has some doubts about you..."

While the players worked hard, the coaching staff wasn't sitting idle either.

During a break in the action, Matthew Graves and Zhang Yu were watching the rough street game from the edge of the court.

"Enough. Jordan, let's go. It'll be time to eat soon." Jimmy tried to persuade him.

Julian Becko, Drew, Mike Green, AJ Graves, and a few others in particular were about to start their senior year. Given their abilities, they had no chance of making the NBA.

Even though Zhang Yu had led the team to the Sweet Sixteen last season, Michael Thompson still didn't trust him to develop his son.

While the players worked hard, the coaching staff wasn't sitting idle either.

Only on the basketball courts enclosed by chain-link fences in vacant lots on street corners did these boys have a world of their own.

"Ronan, is this the kid you were talking about?"

Recruiting season had come around again, and Matthew Graves was busy trying to bring fresh talent to the team.

But Zhang Yu and Curry's arrival had given them hope of making it past the Sweet Sixteen. After all, Florida had just won the championship at March Madness, and they'd lost to Florida by only two points!

"They both turned us down?"

But this year was different. Before, he had mostly stayed within Indiana, but now he had to fly all over the country because several prospects Zhang Yu had identified were outside the state.

Next season would be their last in the NCAA, and they didn't want to leave with regrets, so they were all working extremely hard.

Julian Becko, Drew, Mike Green, AJ Graves, and a few others in particular were about to start their senior year. Given their abilities, they had no chance of making the NBA.

"Ronan, is this the kid you were talking about?"

But Zhang Yu and Curry's arrival had given them hope of making it past the Sweet Sixteen. After all, Florida had just won the championship at March Madness, and they'd lost to Florida by only two points!

Draymond Green was very eager to go to Michigan State, while Washington State was a traditional powerhouse with a knack for developing shooters. They seemed to have offered Klay Thompson excellent terms. Zhang Yu had promised him the same, but Michael Thompson still had doubts about him...

Matthew Graves sat across from him and hurriedly replied.

The boys weren't like players who were satisfied just making the Sweet Sixteen.

Next season would be their last in the NCAA, and they didn't want to leave with regrets, so they were all working extremely hard.

At that moment, a group of boys were playing basketball on a court.

Houston, Texas.

"Michigan State's offer to Draymond Green can't be better than ours, can it? I promised him a full scholarship and a starting spot." Zhang Yu looked puzzled.

Matthew Graves awkwardly chuckled.

To keep from holding the team back, everyone was giving it their all. Curry kept training as hard as ever, and the sound of basketballs pounding the floor never stopped echoing through Hinkle Fieldhouse.

Recruiting season had come around again, and Matthew Graves was busy trying to bring fresh talent to the team.

While the players worked hard, the coaching staff wasn't sitting idle either.

Matthew Graves awkwardly chuckled.

Matthew Graves sat across from him and hurriedly replied.

Meanwhile, the tattooed boy grew even more arrogant.

Matthew Graves sat across from him and hurriedly replied.

Only on the basketball courts enclosed by chain-link fences in vacant lots on street corners did these boys have a world of their own.

They weren't like players who were satisfied just making the Sweet Sixteen.

Matthew Graves looked full of remorse. Those two high schoolers were prospects Zhang Yu had specifically told him to prioritize, but he hadn't managed to land either one. He felt terribly guilty.

"Michigan State's offer to Draymond Green can't be better than ours, can it? I promised him a full scholarship and a starting spot." Zhang Yu looked puzzled.

Matthew Graves nodded.

"Right. Michigan State has been interested in Draymond Green for a long time, and he's always dreamed of playing for the Tigers. When we first approached him, he turned down our recruitment without even hearing the terms."

"Right. What do you think of him?" Zhang Yu asked.

"Enough. Jordan, let's go. It'll be time to eat soon." Jimmy tried to persuade him.

Zhang Yu tossed the scouting reports onto the desk and sighed.

He stole the ball from his opponent again, raced down the court, and hammered it through with a two-handed dunk, drawing cheers from the boys watching. "Klay Thompson has also started to make a name for himself. I heard that his father, Michael Thompson, helped him reach an agreement with Washington State, and he turned us down too."

"We were Sweet Sixteen last season! Are we really that unattractive?"

Matthew Graves sat across from him and hurriedly replied.

But Zhang Yu and Curry's arrival had given them hope of making it past the Sweet Sixteen. After all, Florida had just won the championship at March Madness, and they'd lost to Florida by only two points!

Texas, Houston.

"Michigan State's offer to Draymond Green can't be better than ours, can it? I promised him a full scholarship and a starting spot." Zhang Yu looked puzzled.

Matthew Graves nodded.

Zhang Yu's office.

Even though Zhang Yu had led the team to the Sweet Sixteen last season, Michael Thompson still didn't trust him to develop his son.

The boys weren't like players who were satisfied just making the Sweet Sixteen.

After Curry became the NCAA's leading scorer, Matthew Graves had come to trust Zhang Yu completely and did his utmost to carry out whatever Zhang Yu asked.

The tattooed boy didn't back down.

Matthew Graves sat across from him and hurriedly replied.

The boys weren't like players who were satisfied just making the Sweet Sixteen.

Matthew Graves looked full of remorse. Those two high schoolers were prospects Zhang Yu had specifically told him to prioritize, but he hadn't managed to land either one. He felt terribly guilty.

"Enough. Jordan, let's go. It'll be time to eat soon." Jimmy tried to persuade him.

"Jimmy Butler... His defense really is tough."

Matthew Graves nodded.

Only on the basketball courts enclosed by chain-link fences in vacant lots on street corners did these boys have a world of their own.

"Exactly. Michigan State offered him only a backup spot and a full scholarship...but Ronan, this is Michigan State! One of the top powerhouses in the NCAA!" Matthew Graves said, spreading his hands helplessly.

Texas, Houston.

"Michigan State's offer to Draymond Green can't be better than ours, can it? I promised him a full scholarship and a starting spot." Zhang Yu looked puzzled.

"Exactly. Michigan State offered him only a backup spot and a full scholarship...but Ronan, this is Michigan State! One of the top powerhouses in the NCAA!" Matthew Graves said, spreading his hands helplessly.

Julian Becko, Drew, Mike Green, AJ Graves, and a few others in particular were about to start their senior year. Given their abilities, they had no chance of making the NBA.

Matthew Graves sat across from him and hurriedly replied.

"Draymond Green is very eager to go to Michigan State, while Washington State is a traditional powerhouse with a knack for developing shooters. They seem to have offered Klay Thompson excellent terms. I promised him the same, but his father, Michael Thompson, still has some doubts about you..."

"Ronan, is this the kid you were talking about?"

The tattooed boy didn't back down.

"Exactly. Michigan State offered him only a backup spot and a full scholarship...but Ronan, this is Michigan State! One of the top powerhouses in the NCAA!" Matthew Graves said, spreading his hands helplessly.

Even though Zhang Yu hadn't said anything, and Curry hadn't complained, the players all knew that if they were a little stronger, their team wouldn't have lost even with Curry scoring 39 points.

"Just say it. He thinks I'm too young, doesn't he? What a stubborn old relic." Zhang Yu gave a self-deprecating smile.

The boy who stood out was about six foot three. He played tough defense, attacked the basket again and again, and often soared in for dunks. He was clearly a cut above the others.

The boy who stood out was about six foot three. He played tough defense, attacked the basket again and again, and often soared in for dunks. He was clearly a cut above the others.

"Right. What do you think of him?" Zhang Yu asked.

To keep from holding the team back, everyone was giving it their all. Curry kept training as hard as ever, and the sound of basketballs pounding the floor never stopped echoing through Hinkle Fieldhouse.

Meanwhile, the tattooed boy grew even more arrogant.

To keep from holding the team back, everyone was giving it their all. Curry kept training as hard as ever, and the sound of basketballs pounding the floor never stopped echoing through Hinkle Fieldhouse.

"We can't fight Banks. His brother's in a gang!" Jimmy whispered in his ear.

If they'd kept coasting through the regular season as they had in previous years, they wouldn't have worked this hard. The result would have been the same every year, anyway.

But Zhang Yu and Curry's arrival had given them hope of making it past the Sweet Sixteen. After all, Florida had just won the championship at March Madness, and they'd lost to Florida by only two points!

Smack!

"Who are you calling a bastard?"

The tattooed boy didn't back down.

He stole the ball from his opponent again, raced down the court, and hammered it through with a two-handed dunk, drawing cheers from the boys watching.

Zhang Yu looked at the two scouting reports in his hands, his brow furrowed.

If they'd kept coasting through the regular season as they had in previous years, they wouldn't have worked this hard. The result would have been the same every year, anyway.

Only on the basketball courts enclosed by chain-link fences in vacant lots on street corners did these boys have a world of their own.

Smack!

"Klay Thompson has also started to make a name for himself. I heard that his father, Michael Thompson, helped him reach an agreement with Washington State, and he turned us down too."

Only on the basketball courts enclosed by chain-link fences in vacant lots on street corners did these boys have a world of their own.

"Jimmy! Jimmy!"

"Klay Thompson has also started to make a name for himself. I heard that his father, Michael Thompson, helped him reach an agreement with Washington State, and he turned us down too."

The boy who stood out was about six foot three. He played tough defense, attacked the basket again and again, and often soared in for dunks. He was clearly a cut above the others.

After Curry became the NCAA's leading scorer, Matthew Graves had come to trust Zhang Yu completely and did his utmost to carry out whatever Zhang Yu asked.

The tattooed boy didn't back down.

The boy who stood out was about six foot three. He played tough defense, attacked the basket again and again, and often soared in for dunks. He was clearly a cut above the others.

The boy who stood out was about six foot three. He played tough defense, attacked the basket again and again, and often soared in for dunks. He was clearly a cut above the others.

"Exactly. Michigan State offered him only a backup spot and a full scholarship...but Ronan, this is Michigan State! One of the top powerhouses in the NCAA!" Matthew Graves said, spreading his hands helplessly.

The tattooed boy didn't back down.

Matthew Graves' face was full of remorse. Those two high schoolers were prospects Zhang Yu had specifically told him to prioritize, but he hadn't managed to land either one. He felt terribly guilty.

"Michigan State's offer to Draymond Green can't be better than ours, can it? I promised him a full scholarship and a starting spot." Zhang Yu looked puzzled.

Matthew Graves nodded.

"Right. Michigan State has been interested in Draymond Green for a long time, and he's always dreamed of playing for the Tigers. When we first approached him, he turned down our recruitment without even hearing the terms."

"Right. What do you think of him?" Zhang Yu asked.

"Enough. Jordan, let's go. It'll be time to eat soon." Jimmy tried to persuade him.

Zhang Yu tossed the scouting reports onto the desk and sighed.

He stole the ball from his opponent again, raced down the court, and hammered it through with a two-handed dunk, drawing cheers from the boys watching.

"Klay Thompson has also started to make a name for himself. I heard that his father, Michael Thompson, helped him reach an agreement with Washington State, and he turned us down too."

"We were Sweet Sixteen last season! Are we really that unattractive?"

Matthew Graves sat across from him and hurriedly replied.

"Exactly. Michigan State offered him only a backup spot and a full scholarship...but Ronan, this is Michigan State! One of the top powerhouses in the NCAA!" Matthew Graves said, spreading his hands helplessly.

"Ronan, is this the kid you were talking about?"

"The bastard's a bastard. He hasn't got the guts to do anything. You think you can go to college? No school would ever take you!"

"Enough. Jordan, let's go. It'll be time to eat soon." Jimmy tried to persuade him.

"I'm talking about who you think I am. You know perfectly well—the bastard his mother abandoned!"

"We can't fight Banks. His brother's in a gang!" Jimmy whispered in his ear.

At that moment, a group of boys were playing basketball on a court.

The tattooed boy didn't back down.

He stole the ball from his opponent again, raced down the court, and hammered it through with a two-handed dunk, drawing cheers from the boys watching.

Matthew Graves sat across from him and hurriedly replied.

"Who are you calling a bastard?"

"Ronan, is this the kid you were talking about?"

The boys weren't like players who were satisfied just making the Sweet Sixteen.

Matthew Graves' face was full of remorse. Those two high schoolers were prospects Zhang Yu had specifically told him to prioritize, but he hadn't managed to land either one. He felt terribly guilty.

The tattooed boy didn't back down.

"Exactly. Michigan State offered him only a backup spot and a full scholarship...but Ronan, this is Michigan State! One of the top powerhouses in the NCAA!" Matthew Graves said, spreading his hands helplessly.

The tattooed boy didn't back down.

Even though Zhang Yu hadn't said anything, and Curry hadn't complained, the players all knew that if they were a little stronger, their team wouldn't have lost even with Curry scoring 39 points.

The boy who stood out was about six foot three. He played tough defense, attacked the basket again and again, and often soared in for dunks. He was clearly a cut above the others.

The boy who stood out was about six foot three. He played tough defense, attacked the basket again and again, and often soared in for dunks. He was clearly a cut above the others.

"Right. What do you think of him?" Zhang Yu asked.

To keep from holding the team back, everyone was giving it their all. Curry kept training as hard as ever, and the sound of basketballs pounding the floor never stopped echoing through Hinkle Fieldhouse.

Meanwhile, the tattooed boy grew even more arrogant.

"We can't fight Banks. His brother's in a gang!" Jimmy whispered in his ear.

If they'd kept coasting through the regular season as they had in previous years, they wouldn't have worked this hard. The result would have been the same every year, anyway.

But Zhang Yu and Curry's arrival had given them hope of making it past the Sweet Sixteen. After all, Florida had just won the championship at March Madness, and they'd lost to Florida by only two points!

Smack!