"Bang!"
The basketball was forcefully slapped away by Oliver, and to everyone's surprise, it had originally belonged to Heguang Middle School!
"Fast break!" Oliver roared.
While his stunned teammates were still processing the incredible leap Oliver had just made, he had already dashed toward the basket.
Once they snapped out of it, the others immediately charged toward the inside.
"So high! So fast! Such explosive power! Heguang Middle School actually had such a secret weapon, and they've waited until now to reveal him? Are they trying to surprise us?" the commentator asked in astonishment.
"Fall back and defend!!"
The Fuqiu team quickly recovered and sprinted back to protect their basket. Every one of them looked at Oliver with disbelief and fear in their eyes.
Kaede Rukawa stood at 187 cm with a vertical jump of 75 cm. Combined with his wingspan, he could reach a staggering height of 300 cm—almost as if he could fly.
But the kid who just stole the ball from him? He looked no taller than 170 cm. To snatch the ball mid-air from Kaede Rukawa meant his vertical leap had to be around 100 cm. Was he even human?
"Dear viewers! Did you see that!? This new player just stole the ball from Rukawa! What kind of bounce was that?!"
The commentator stood from his seat, adjusted his sunglasses, and practically shouted into the mic.
"He's just like Michael Jordan!!"
When Oliver jumped, the crowd—who had just been laughing—collectively shouted, "What the hell?!" The coach of Heguang Middle School even spat out his water in shock, his eyes nearly popping out of his head.
Who could've imagined being upstaged like this by a supposed "benchwarmer"?
"It looks like this game isn't over yet! Let's keep our eyes on this new player!"
The crowd buzzed with conversation after the commentator's shout.
"Come on, it's just one play. That's not enough to turn the game around."
"But that explosion of speed and power—did you see that?"
"Only ten minutes left, and the score gap is huge. There's no way they're turning this around."
Even with Oliver's breathtaking jump, the majority of spectators still believed the outcome was already sealed.
"Rukawa! Rukawa! Keep it up! Fight!"
The girls in the audience paused for a moment, shocked, but soon resumed their chants, rallying for Kaede Rukawa.
Inside the court...
Rukawa glanced at Oliver in surprise but didn't hesitate. He turned and chased the ball handler, catching up in seconds.
"Damn it!"
The small forward from Wako Junior High stood frozen inside the paint, clutching the ball with both hands. In front of him, Fuqiu's center and power forward had formed a wall, arms spread wide.
Rukawa was right behind him. He had to choose: shoot or pass.
But a shot now would definitely be blocked—and even if it wasn't, it was unlikely to go in. Fuqiu's power forward stood right under the rim. Their own teammates hadn't even gotten into position yet!
No time to think. Rukawa was almost on him!
He had the ball—wasting this opportunity Oliver had fought so hard for wasn't an option!
The small forward was panicking. He had completely lost his confidence.
"Hey! Over here!"
"Huh?"
He looked over and saw Oliver waving near the three-point line—completely unguarded!
"Screw it! I'm going for it!"
He turned and lobbed the ball over to Oliver.
Oliver caught it cleanly and immediately darted to the right side of the three-point arc.
"Stop him! Don't let him shoot!!"
The Fuqiu players gave chase. Among them, Rukawa was the fastest—he reached Oliver in the blink of an eye.
"As expected of Kaede Rukawa. His reaction time is unreal."
Oliver lowered his body as he dribbled, his eyes narrowing at the formidable defender in front of him.
It felt surreal. Oliver had been a fan of Slam Dunk since childhood, and the anime was what first sparked his passion for basketball. Never in his life did he expect to one day go head-to-head with its characters.
And yet, here he was.
Though his current body wasn't as strong as it used to be, his professional experience from playing in the CBA in his past life gave him an edge no middle schooler could match.
Bang! Bang!
He switched from a high dribble to a low one, increasing both speed and control. Rukawa mirrored him, dropping his center of gravity and spreading his arms wide, his wingspan like a wall.
"Whoa... what is this?!"
The commentator's voice rang out again.
"We're witnessing a one-on-one duel! Oliver versus Kaede Rukawa! This is going to be a battle worth watching!"
Every experienced player knew what it meant when two opponents squared up like this. It wasn't just a play—it was a one-on-one showdown.
Rukawa's eyes locked onto Oliver's. Oliver raised an eyebrow and quickened his dribble.
All around them, the other players backed off, understanding the significance of this face-off. They scattered to strategic positions but didn't interfere.
Suddenly, Oliver slammed the ball with his right hand, then turned sharply to the left.
"I've been waiting for this!"
Rukawa lunged, reaching in to steal the ball. He had already made ten successful steals this game. This should've been the eleventh.
When a player turns while dribbling, there's usually a brief moment where their focus shifts. That's the best time to strike.
But this time, the steal missed.
Rukawa's hand sliced through empty air.
He instantly realized something was off. As he looked up, he locked eyes with Oliver—who gave him a sly smirk that said, You fell for it.
Before Rukawa could react, Oliver planted his right foot, spun back to the right, and slipped past him into the paint.
"Unbelievable! I can't believe my eyes!!"
The commentator held up Oliver's player profile, hands trembling. He crumpled the paper in disbelief.
"This player—Oliver from Wako Junior High—has just broken through Kaede Rukawa's defense! He's charging into Fuqiu's inside line!"
"Hey... that short kid, Oliver, is actually amazing!"
The audience started buzzing with excitement.
"Why didn't they bring him in earlier? Is Wako's coach brain-dead?"
Back on Wako's bench...
"That's... a speed-change dribble!!" the coach exclaimed.
"Coach, what's happening?" asked one of the injured players.
The coach's eyes sparkled as he explained:
"Oliver started with low dribbling to build pressure, signaling a one-on-one. Then he faked a drive to the left. Rukawa took the bait and reached for a steal.
But Oliver suddenly switched to a high dribble, delaying the ball's bounce. That's why Rukawa missed.
In that momentary confusion, Oliver spun right and broke through. You need insane experience to pull that off."
He paused. "And that jump ball earlier too... just how much has this kid been hiding?"
Back on the court...
"Defend! Get him!!"
Fuqiu's two guards and center leapt at Oliver, all traces of arrogance gone. They were sweating bullets.
"Don't underestimate me!!"
"Think you can break through us?!"
The trio jumped, forming a wall in mid-air.
"Idiots!" Rukawa gritted his teeth.
Oliver smirked and bounced the ball off the court. It slipped through the defenders' legs and rolled toward a teammate who had just shaken off his pursuers.
Now, he was wide open!
"3Q, Oliver!"
The teammate charged into the restricted area.
"Fools..."
Rukawa cursed and sprinted toward the attacker, arriving just as the layup was released. He soared up and blocked the shot.
"Are you even human!?"
His speed was unreal.
"What now?!"
"Yo!!"
Oliver's voice rang out behind the small forward.
He turned and saw Oliver pointing upward.
"Throw it up!"
What?!
The teammate hesitated for a second—but there was no time to think.
"Let's do this!"
He tossed the ball as high as he could.
Everyone's eyes tracked the spinning ball.
Oliver burst forward, bypassing the stunned defenders and bolting into the paint.
"No way!!"
Rukawa's heart sank. He was still in mid-air and helpless.
Oliver sprang off the floor. His system-enhanced legs launched him like a missile.
He soared high—over the defenders!
Grabbing the ball mid-air, he raised both arms and slammed it into the basket!
"AHHH!!!"
"BANG!!!"
The ball dropped through the net.
Everyone froze.
All eyes were on Oliver's lean figure as he landed.
The commentator clutched his mic, his voice shaky.
"Slam Dunk!!!"
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