“His aerial balance is out of this world…” Robert covered his eyes. “I’m suddenly glad this kid wasn’t around in my era. If I had to face an opponent like him, it would be impossible to defend, and that feeling of helplessness under the basket would drive defenders crazy!”
Engel, with his mouth half-open, finally spoke, “I used to think Coach Gordon had no choice but to make Nie Chuan a small forward… Now I really want to punch that coach for not showcasing this kid’s potential sooner!”
Nie Chuan closed his eyes. His body was exhausted, but his heart felt incredibly fulfilled.
Thank you, Reese… for seeing the ordinary me and pouring all your love into me…
“Nie Chuan, leave the defense to us! Focus on scoring,” Carlo shouted as he ran past Nie Chuan.
Yes, if Carlo hadn’t broken up Raven and Ashley, he wouldn’t have scored so easily.
DK started working together tightly again, forcing Raven and Ashley to run hard. The ball passed from Carlo to Ewin.
Ewin, inspired by Nie Chuan’s performance, moved more flexibly, putting immense defensive pressure on the opposing shooting guard.
With a shoulder fake, Ewin shifted his weight back and then cut through again.
“Nice move!” Even Coach Gordon couldn’t help but praise.
Then he faced Raven, but Chuck’s timely positioning supported Ewin. Raven rushed in, only to be blocked by Carlo.
“DK has realized they need to conserve Nie Chuan’s energy. They want to save his remaining explosiveness for scoring,” Sethston tapped his fingers on the railing. “I have to say, Reese has excellent teammates. If he were on the court, DK would be unstoppable. This year’s DK is strong.” Sethston finally acknowledged DK.
Ben Robbins laughed, “Looks like my intuition is as accurate as ever?”
Finally, the ball was passed to Nie Chuan, who had already cut into KSU’s three-second area.
Raven felt a sense of dread, rushing with all his might.
Nie Chuan can’t score again! If this ball goes in, DK will overtake KSU!
Nie Chuan did a behind-the-back dribble, stopping and accelerating past the opposing center, about to shoot under the basket.
The audience roared as if injected with adrenaline.
But Raven and Ashley had arrived, and even the faked-out center rushed back.
Carlo and Ewin came to support: “Nie Chuan! Pass the ball—”
But Nie Chuan couldn’t hear anything. It wasn’t that he forgot about teamwork; he was just too focused!
The three-man defense seemed impenetrable, but Nie Chuan saw a gap as he rose to a certain height.
His body twisted with force, his incredible balance, flexibility, and daring creating this moment.
He knew Reese was still there, watching over him!
He knew that if he wanted, no one could stop him!
Nie Chuan almost spun 360 degrees in the air, slipping through Raven and Ashley like sand through fingers.
The way he captured the entire court’s attention looked effortlessly graceful.
He didn’t curl up; instead, he was stretched and fluid.
Landing, he quickly controlled his momentum, jumping nimbly to send the ball into the basket.
He would score.
No matter who was in front of him.
No matter how many were in front of him!
After scoring, Nie Chuan wobbled, almost losing his balance, but Ewin caught him firmly!
DK was now leading KSU by 1 point!
From trailing to leading, the journey had everyone on the edge of their seats!
Nie Chuan breathed heavily. He was tired, really tired.
But he wanted to win!
Thunderous applause erupted, and even Raven’s gaze towards Nie Chuan became heavy.
Ben heard clapping beside him.
He turned to see Sethston applauding.
“Sethston?”
“I respect every opponent worthy of respect. And I look forward to meeting him on the court,” Sethston replied.
Raven gritted his teeth, his gaze almost crushing Nie Chuan.
Fine, I admit your ability, but I won’t hand victory to you!
One minute and thirty-five seconds remained.
KSU’s counterattack surged like a wave.
Their point guard broke through Chuck’s defense like a madman, but Chuck wasn’t discouraged, quickly sticking close again. The ball was passed to Ashley.
Ashley barely got the ball as Nie Chuan flashed by, almost intercepting it, scaring Ashley into a cold sweat. Even though he secured the ball, Nie Chuan steadied his steps, shifted his weight, and blocked Ashley’s path.
What a monster!
Ashley gritted his teeth at Nie Chuan, knowing this young man’s prowess, breaking through KSU’s defense countless times, causing them to lose points inside the free-throw line. Ashley didn’t dare risk a head-on clash with Nie Chuan and passed to Raven instead.
Raven got the ball, and KSU’s fans erupted in cheers.
One minute and twenty seconds left!
Raven carried all of KSU’s hopes for victory, like a meteor, brushing past Carlo with such force Carlo almost fell.
“Get back on defense!” Ewin shouted.
They were at the crucial moment of victory or defeat, needing to guard every ball tightly!
Nie Chuan’s every shot was spectacular, but as his teammates, they knew each one drained his energy.
Carlo ran desperately.
Nie Chuan was also getting back, but Carlo shouted, “Nie Chuan! Leave it to us!”
Raven rose for a dunk, his speed and height showcasing the power of the shot.
Heishan roared, leaping up, his palm poised to block Raven.
Everyone was stunned by Heishan’s jump, even Raven had to pull the ball back.
But a reverse layup wasn’t something only Nie Chuan could do. Raven adjusted, avoiding Heishan’s arm, about to score!
Unexpectedly, Carlo rushed over, face flushed with effort!
With a shout, Carlo knocked the ball from Raven’s hands, almost causing Raven to lose his balance.
Ashley rushed to retrieve the ball, but Chuck intercepted it first, quickly passing to Ewin!
Before the opposing point guard could arrive, Ewin long-passed to Nie Chuan.
Raven and Ashley realized too late that Nie Chuan was still at KSU’s three-point line, with only KSU’s point guard left to defend him.
Nie Chuan effortlessly shook off the point guard, scoring a layup!
DK extended their lead over KSU to three points!
“They’re great players,” Coach Gordon clapped from the sidelines.
“They’re also the most trustworthy teammates,” Reese replied.
Nie Chuan turned, high-fiving Chuck and Ewin, looking towards Carlo and Heishan at the basket. Those two were incredible!
Raven exhaled, the pressure on KSU felt like the entire court was collapsing.
“DK had a few minutes to catch up when they were behind. But KSU only has fifty seconds to catch up by three points,” Sethston said.
“Fifty seconds? That’s enough for at least three three-pointers,” Ben rubbed his chin. “DK’s victory isn’t secured yet!”
Time ticked away, the offense and defense making the situation unclear.
The audience’s nerves were about to snap.
Ashley, facing Nie Chuan’s defense, passed to Raven, who intended to lay up but faced Carlo and Heishan’s double defense under the basket.
With no scoring angle, Raven suddenly passed back to Ashley, who felt pressured by Nie Chuan and handed it to the shooting guard.
The shooting guard, under Ewin’s pressure, forced a shot, hitting the rim and bouncing up. Chaos erupted under the basket as Heishan, Carlo, Raven, and KSU’s center scrambled, almost colliding. Nie Chuan was tense to the point of bursting, but Raven’s explosiveness shone through, grabbing the ball mid-air and reverse-dunking it in!
Instantly, DK’s lead over KSU shrank to 1 point, with only twenty seconds left!
We can’t lose!
Nie Chuan gritted his teeth and chased after. Ashley got the ball, seeing Nie Chuan running towards him, he quickly long-passed to his point guard.
Nie Chuan suddenly stopped mid-run, as if predicting Ashley’s pass, and sprinted towards the point guard.
Nie Chuan’s speed shocked KSU’s point guard, who never expected such speed!
“Don’t pass!” Raven’s shout wasn’t fully out when Nie Chuan leaned forward, sliding to intercept the pass intended for their shooting guard!
The arena erupted, KSU and DK’s names echoing.
Commentators focused on Nie Chuan’s back, all commentary forgotten.
Nie Chuan seemed to steal all the air, deftly shaking off the opposing center, with Raven and Ashley chasing behind.
I want to score!
I want to score!
We want to win!
Raven chased madly, determined not to let Nie Chuan score.
Feeling Raven closing in, Nie Chuan leapt.
Everyone’s mouths dropped open, not expecting him to jump from that distance!
But his height seemed to defy gravity, soaring skyward!
Raven jumped too, reaching out, his fingers brushing past Nie Chuan’s cheek, almost touching the ball.
But Nie Chuan, as if possessed, used all his strength to slam the ball into the basket!
“Boom!” The loud crash was followed by cheers that seemed to shake the arena apart!
Nie Chuan’s mouth hung open, as if he couldn’t breathe!
DK took only five seconds to reclaim that point.
“Amazing…” Special commentator Robert was in awe.
Nie Chuan’s figure was etched into everyone’s vision like a brand.
Landing, Nie Chuan panted, barely able to stand.
He had no strength left to counterattack…
Fifteen seconds remained, and KSU launched their final desperate attack.
But no matter where they went, DK guarded fiercely.
Even the usually unnoticed Chuck was heroic, chasing Ashley and, with Ewin, double-teaming to steal the ball.
“KSU is in disarray,” Owen sighed.
Chuck passed to Carlo, who charged at KSU, facing off with Raven.
“Ten! Nine! Eight…” Everyone began counting down.
Carlo’s mind had never been clearer, Raven couldn’t steal from him.
“Four! Three!… Two! One! Zero!”
Nie Chuan was still panting, his world silent.
He only knew Heishan rushed over, lifting him up.
He turned dazedly, looking at Reese’s spot. Reese was still standing there, watching him.
Reese’s gaze was intense, as if Nie Chuan wasn’t just a person, but his entire dream.
“KSU is strong, Raven and Ashley’s teamwork is perfect. But unfortunately, they met Nie Chuan,” Owen stood calmly, hands in pockets, looking up to see Sethston at the top.
Sethston smiled knowingly, patting Ben’s shoulder, “Let’s go, dummy.”
