He was at least the third highest scoring small forward in the California high school league during the 94-95 season, first in rebounds, and ranked in the top five in blocks and steals in California, a top 30 national talent high school student! And yet, he's being evaluated as a bench player?
"Wait, could this be an NBA-level evaluation?"
Zhang Hao's breathing quickened at this thought. Looking at it this way, he realized his talent could truly be considered genius in many aspects. No wonder he was noticed by American basketball coaches at the age of 15. He had a thought that even he found absurd, but it wouldn't go away. However, he tried hard to keep it suppressed deep in his heart.
This was a last-ditch effort. He could have a more secure option, like asking for more money from his family... Going to college would definitely mean asking his family for money. With a basketball scholarship, he could save a lot of money. He wasn't desperate enough to gamble everything just yet.
But that thought lingered in his mind… He just didn't have the means to act on it.
...
...
Having gained a golden finger, Zhang Hao decided not to tell anyone, not even Pierce. In movies and stories, there are often such self-destructive plots where the protagonist gains something great and ends up letting the whole world know, causing endless trouble for themselves.
Zhang Hao didn't like trouble. He treated it as a condition he could exploit. His goals were: firstly, to extend his active years, and secondly, to fulfill his dream of becoming a top basketball player.
The current situation was to take one step at a time, but Zhang Hao intended to use every available condition.
The first step was to find a Division I NCAA school that would offer him a full scholarship.
Going back home to rely on his parents for another year wasn't an option. Even if he was dictated by future memories, he would have chosen this path without the opportunity to live longer. Given the chance to live longer, of course, he would strive to manage himself better!
Securing a full scholarship from a prestigious NCAA Basketball school was the first step!
He no longer needed to attend classes. For international students, as long as the tuition was paid, skipping classes wouldn't be an issue. Taking leave was also easy, as the main aim was to earn your money, not to worship you like a deity and hand you money.
However, he still needed to train in the school's gymnasium. The state high school competition was over, but regular club activities continued as usual. The primary goal of high school basketball clubs was not to train players for the NCAA but to let students enjoy basketball. Of course, if a high school produced many players who could enter the NCAA or even directly jump to the NBA, it would certainly attract more kids, thus earning a lot of money.
Also, high school seniors were preparing to advance to the NCAA or give up basketball, but freshmen, sophomores, and juniors still had to continue training and playing games.
He had agreed to practice with Pierce. Zhang Hao also needed to go to the school gym to train and see the effect of the "Growth Card".
At school, Zhang Hao received small packages from some enthusiastic female classmates. Without opening them, he knew they contained their contact information.
As the fourth-ranked California high school basketball star this year, Zhang Hao was quite popular at school. Although not as skilled as Pierce, who excelled in basketball, bowling, baseball, and football, he was still a prominent figure at school.
However, with his future memories, he knew that being popular in school meant nothing once he left, so he remained calm.
This suited his past demeanor, always cold and aloof.
The more Zhang Hao acted like this, the more some female classmates wanted to prove their "charm" by getting him into bed.
He of course accepted the gifts, as these were highly sought after by the freshmen and sophomores on the team. Building good relationships with teammates was crucial, something his dad taught him, so even though he was aloof, he got along well with the team.
Having a good dad offered more advantages than one could imagine! Many habits and awareness are subtly influenced by parents.
Holding a pile of small packages, Zhang Hao headed to the indoor basketball gymnasium on campus.
Even though the senior season had ended, Zhang Hao still needed to maintain good relationships with the young teammates. After all, who knew if these underclassmen had the talent to become NBA players someday?
Zhang Hao knew that in his freshman year, Pierce was too overweight to even make the reserve list, but by his sophomore year, he'd become the second-best high school player in California, only behind Keith Van Horn.
He certainly remembered famous players from that time, but with more than 50 rookies drafted each year, he didn't have any impression of most borderline players. Nonetheless, even being a bench player in the NBA meant being part of a high-income group, one of the world's top basketball athletes. If he were to become a coach in the future, having a past connection with an NBA player could never be a bad thing.
Zhang Hao was uncertain about his future. He loved basketball dearly, and becoming a coach would be a fine choice if possible…
Outside the gym, seeing the renovated facility, which was refurbished last summer thanks to sponsorship after Pierce was crowned the best high school player in California, brought back memories. The team won the championship this season, and reportedly, received more sponsorships, but it no longer concerned Zhang Hao, as he was about to graduate.
Though small, with only over 3,000 seats, it was here that Zhang Hao and his teammates experienced two years of battles. From playing a dozen games last season before getting a chance to play as a substitute, Zhang Hao had made it to the third team nationally.