Madrid, Spain – January 2015
The gym lights buzzed overhead.
The Winter Circuit was here.
Five games. Five elite teams.
Scouts in the stands. Cameras rolling.
Eli Mercer sat on the bench, tying his shoes.
Luis leaned over.
"You ready?"
Eli nodded.
"Always."
Game 1 – Madrid Juniors vs. Berlin Elite
First possession—trap defense.
Eli split it.
Logo shot.
Swish.
Second possession—double team.
He reversed.
Hit the cutter.
Layup.
Third possession—transition.
He slowed.
Pulled from sideline.
Net.
Berlin called timeout.
Scouts scribbled notes.
Post-Game – Locker Room
Coach Ortega paced.
"They're going to get tougher. Every team's watching you now."
Eli sipped water.
"Let them."
Luis laughed.
"You sound like a villain."
Eli smiled.
"I'm just early."
Game 2 – Madrid Juniors vs. Paris Titans
Paris came physical.
Hard screens. Chest bumps. Trash talk.
Eli didn't react.
He adjusted.
Mid-range floaters.
Corner threes.
Logo pull-ups.
He didn't miss.
Again.
Scouting Booth – Halftime
NBA Europe liaison leaned in.
"He's 15?"
"Yes."
"He hasn't missed?"
"Not once."
"What about full court?"
Coach Ortega shook his head.
"He doesn't shoot those."
Eli sat on the bench, towel over his head.
Breathing in.
Holding.
Releasing.
Game 3 – Madrid Juniors vs. Rome Select
Rome played zone.
Eli dissected it.
Skip passes.
Backdoor cuts.
Logo shots over the top.
He controlled the tempo.
Never rushed.
Never forced.
Final possession—shot clock low.
He stepped to the logo.
Pump fake.
Step left.
Swish.
Post-Game – Team Bus
Luis nudged him.
"Three games. Zero misses."
Eli looked out the window.
"Two more."
"You ever gonna show them the full court?"
Eli shook his head.
"Not until it matters."
Luis nodded.
"NBA?"
Eli didn't answer.
Game 4 – Madrid Juniors vs. London Core
London pressed.
Eli slowed.
He walked the ball up.
Called plays.
Used every teammate.
He scored 12.
Assisted 14.
Controlled everything.
No highlights.
Just dominance.
Game 5 – Madrid Juniors vs. Lisbon Fire
Lisbon came wild.
Fast pace. Loose defense.
Eli adapted.
He ran.
He passed.
He shot.
Logo.
Corner.
Wing.
Sideline.
Swish.
Swish.
Swish.
Swish.
Final Stats – Winter Circuit
5 Games
100% Shooting
62 Assists
0 Turnovers
0 Misses
Scouting Report – NBA Europe
"Eli Mercer. Age 15. Madrid Juniors.
100% shooting. Elite vision. No ego.
Full court range unconfirmed.
Projected draft: Top 3."
That Night – Gym Lights Off
Eli stood at the far baseline.
Ball in hand.
Court empty.
He bounced once.
Turned.
Breathed.
Full court shot.
Release.
Swish.
He didn't smile.
He didn't record.
He just walked to the next zone.