Rival for Life

"Ding-dong! Congratulations to the host for leading the team to a comeback, winning the NCAA championship, and gaining 3 skill points!" A voice echoed in the mind of Goodwin, but he had no time to pay attention to it right now.

System, go play by yourself!

System: "..."

"Ahhhhh..." Goodwin cheered excitedly. He had won the NCAA championship, and not by riding anyone's coattails—he had done it through his own strength.

Playing for 5 minutes and 8 seconds, he went 3-for-3 from the three-point line and scored a crucial 9 points (including 6 vital points in overtime), single-handedly leading the University of Kansas to a comeback victory over Syracuse University to claim the 2003 NCAA championship.

"Goodwin, you're the best! You're literally my Superman!" Collison hugged Goodwin excitedly and even planted a kiss on his cheek.

Goodwin's deep blue eyes were filled with confusion. What the hell, why are you kissing me!

Goodwin shoved the excited Collison away and quickly backed off. Damn it, I like women, not men.

Collison didn't say anything, continuing to cheer with excitement.

Just then, Carmelo Anthony, wearing an orange jersey with a large number 7 on the back, pushed through the crowd and came up to Goodwin. "Congratulations on winning the NCAA championship," he said, extending his left hand.

Goodwin was full of confusion. What is Carmelo Anthony doing?

A second later, Goodwin replied, "Thanks!" As soon as he finished speaking, he extended his own hand to "amicably" shake hands with Carmelo Anthony.

Competition first, friendship second!

Click, click—the surrounding media frantically snapped photos of the two. One was a freshman who had led an underdog Syracuse University to the NCAA finals, and the other was also a freshman who had saved his team in their most desperate moment. Both were stars of tomorrow.

After the handshake, Carmelo Anthony held his breath, his eyes fixed on Goodwin. "Goodwin, I'm entering the NBA draft this year. Will you be coming too?"

With Carmelo Anthony's talent, he had nothing left to improve in the NCAA. Months ago, he had already made up his mind to enter the 2003 NBA draft.

In his original plan, Carmelo Anthony was supposed to win the NCAA championship before stepping onto the NBA stage, but Goodwin had appeared and caused him to miss out on the title.

Carmelo Anthony desperately wanted revenge, which was why he had come over to ask if Goodwin would be entering the draft!

In Carmelo Anthony's eyes, although Goodwin's defense was poor, his three-point shooting and his clutch gene reminded him of Steve Kerr.

Steve Kerr had officially announced his retirement the previous year.

Steve Kerr had only averaged 6 points per game throughout his career and had average physical attributes, acting as a role player his entire career. Yet, much like the meaning of the "City of Many Wells," Steve Kerr had repeatedly become the team's "well," providing crucial scoring just when the team needed it most, like a source of water.

Just like how Steve Kerr had hit the game-winning shot in the '97 Finals.

In Carmelo Anthony's view, Goodwin's performance in this NCAA final would definitely put him on the radar of NBA scouts. Furthermore, Goodwin had a good look, was over 2 meters tall, and had a decent wingspan. Perhaps...

In short, Carmelo Anthony really hoped Goodwin would enter the NBA; otherwise, he would never be able to get his revenge.

Hearing Carmelo Anthony's words, Goodwin was stunned. The NBA draft?

Of course, Goodwin had thought about it. Since he had been reborn and even obtained a System, he naturally had to go to the highest stage of basketball—the NBA! He wanted to win MVPs, Finals MVPs, the Larry O'Brien trophy. He wanted to win one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight...

But now was not the time. He was still a "newbie" with a D+ overall rating. Going to the NBA now would be asking for a beating.

In his plan, he would lay low and develop in college for another year before entering the draft—meaning next year.

"Anthony, sorry, I won't be entering the NBA draft this year, but I will next year," Goodwin replied.

When Carmelo Anthony heard the first half of the sentence, he felt hopeless, but as the second half reached his ears, he instantly came back to life.

Carmelo Anthony excitedly reached out with both hands and slapped Goodwin's shoulders hard. "Good! Goodwin, I'll be waiting for you in the NBA. You better come quickly."

Hiss... The pain in his shoulders made Goodwin suspect this guy was doing it on purpose. Did he have to use so much force? These are shoulders, not sandbags.

Goodwin quickly took a step back, escaping Carmelo Anthony's clutches, and said, "I will! Anthony, see you in the NBA."

Having received his answer, Carmelo Anthony turned and walked toward the player tunnel, satisfied, leaving the stage to the University of Kansas.

Goodwin watched Carmelo Anthony's retreating back, his lips curling slightly as he muttered to himself: Anthony, you want revenge? That's impossible! The next person to win will still be me!

"Ding-dong! Congratulations to the host for triggering: Rival for Life!"

Goodwin was full of question marks. What kind of "Rival for Life" is this?

Goodwin quickly opened the System to check.

He didn't know until he checked, and once he did, he was shocked.

The target for the Rival for Life mission was actually Carmelo Anthony. From now on, whenever he encountered Carmelo Anthony's team, he had to win—failure was not an option.

Of course, the rewards were very generous: winning the game would grant 3 skill points.

But with rewards came punishments: losing the game would randomly deduct 3 attribute points.

Goodwin: ???

System, you're playing dirty! What is this about randomly deducting 3 attributes if I lose?

"This mission was released according to the host's own will!"

Goodwin regretted his earlier bravado. Who the hell could guarantee they would beat a team led by Carmelo Anthony every single time? Especially since he was still so trash right now.

Goodwin wanted to slap himself.

He raised his left hand, then let it drop powerlessly. Forget it, I hate pain.

What to do, what to do... I guess I'll just have to deal with it.

"Goodwin, what are you doing? Hurry up, it's time for the trophy presentation." Collison walked over and wrapped his arm around the dazed Goodwin.

Only then did Goodwin snap out of it.

Forget it, I'll cross that bridge when I get to it. For now, I should just enjoy the joy of the championship.

Soon, a smile returned to Goodwin's face as he joined his teammates on the stage to receive their championship trophy.

This was the 3rd championship in the history of the University of Kansas, crowning them as three-time winners. The University of Kansas had previously won in 1952 and 1998.