On the sidelines, Qin Yue, receiving direct instructions from Prose, slowly walked toward the scoring table.
Compared to when he first joined the team's training sessions, Qin Yue, now weighing 134 kilograms, could completely be described as robust.
This life, Qin Yue's height with shoes was considerably taller than the Zion he remembered, coupled with his broad shoulders and long arms, making him appear even more proportionate than Zion if judged solely by appearance.
Meanwhile, in the gym, as classmates noticed that Qin Yue, who was a bit chubby at the start of school, had now transformed into a hunk, applause and cheers erupted for him.
Indeed, in the United States, no matter the place, people love a story of redemption.
No need to ask; ask and you're told the stories of Qin Yue's transformation over the past half-year...
which have long become legendary tales among classmates.
But, in the stands, just as everyone finished cheering for Qin Yue's physique...
the next moment, they quickly fell into a gloom.
Because as Felton hit a pull-up three-pointer facing Paul, with 12 minutes and 47 seconds left in the first-half, the visiting Tar Heels team had extended their lead to 14 points.
The scoreboard read, 27 to 13.
American basketball convention, visitors first, home team second.
Before the game, Paul was eager to prove himself, and his heart was burning with urgency.
On the court, during a dead ball, the Devil's Deacon Team made a substitution, with Qin Yue coming on and Cricketer going off.
Seeing the listless crowd, Qin Yue knew the team urgently needed an outstanding offensive play to boost their spirits.
So, after Monk passed the sideline ball to Paul, Qin Yue quickly moved up to set a screen for Paul.
Qin Yue's pick was solid, causing Felton, who was chasing after Paul with full force, to feel as if he had hit a mountain.
Though he had lost weight, Qin Yue's advantage in build was still present.
In the high post, seeing Felton fully blocked by Qin Yue, Paul, finally somewhat reenergized, sped into the Tar Heels' paint.
Only...
With his mind still not fully clear, he chose to forcefully break into Sean Mei's territory after the breakthrough.
Standing 206 cm tall and weighing 121 kilograms, Mei, known as the agile fat man in the realm of American College Basketball, smiled as he noticed Paul preparing to forcefully attack the hoop, and used his heft to make Paul lose his balance and awkwardly release the ball before flying out of bounds.
If this tumultuous shot went in, it would undoubtedly be the highlight of the night.
But unfortunately...
Paul's attempt to attack the hoop was met with ruthless rejection from the home basket of the Devil's Deacon Team.
Despair!
True despair!
However...
Just as the arena sank into yet another wave of despair, a sturdy figure suddenly pierced through the night sky!
In the paint, Mei was looking mockingly at Paul lying on the baseline.
As for Paul?
Upon seeing the figure behind Mei...
Realizing what was about to happen on the court, he immediately sprang up in Mei's shocked gaze!
The long-silent Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum finally erupted back into the roaring state before the game!
In the paint of the Tar Heels team, the unexpectedly descending Qin Yue completed a breathtaking tomahawk follow-up dunk after the pick and roll!
Turning his head just in time, Mei saw the image that would remain a psychological shadow for him for years:
Up in the heavens, Qin Yue, swinging his arm, looked down at him with an imperious gaze.
It was the first time in Mei's life that he felt so insignificant.
Bam——!
"Don't zone out while defending, man, you'll make me feel very unaccomplished," Qin Yue shouted to Mei in the paint after completing the follow-up dunk.
Then, hugging the approaching Paul tightly, Qin Yue smiled and said, "Relax, Chris, now you're not fighting alone anymore."
Meanwhile...
In the stands, several NBA scouts who had specifically come for other players exchanged glances and collectively wondered:
Who exactly is this number 10 substitute for the Devil's Deacon Team?
Even though Qin Yue had simply completed a follow-up dunk.
From that dunk, however, the professionals fully sensed his talent reaching beyond the screen.
Everyone with a bit of knowledge should know that having the same jumping ability for a player with a height of 200 cm and one with 180 cm is two entirely different concepts.
Even among players all standing 200 cm tall, when jump ability is the same, the one with a longer wingspan holds the advantage after jumping.
What does a longer wingspan and taller height mean?
It means you can easily do what others have to give their all to achieve.
In Qin Yue's memory, no one ever praised Durant's jumping ability.
But how many in the future NBA will be able to interfere with Durant's pull-up shots?
In the NBA, there's a wise saying: I can teach you how to play basketball, but I can't teach you how to grow taller or how to make your arms longer.
So at that moment, the scouts were amazed by Qin Yue.
Because besides the evident height and wingspan, Qin Yue also demonstrated some mobility during the follow-up dunk.
At this moment, right now.
This beast from Wake Forest has already been unleashed!
On the sidelines, Prose, witnessing step by step how Qin Yue grew, smiled and said, "This kid is born for the big stage."