The next day.
Yuuto still showed up at the gym—he didn't take advantage of his day off.
Or rather, his version of a "vacation" was simply reducing his training load.
That gave him enough time to play some video games or watch movies between practices.
The near-disaster against Cal had been a wake-up call for UCLA.
After that, they never made the same mistake again.
And so.
Riding this momentum, UCLA ripped off a terrifying 12-game winning streak in Pac-12 play.
Washington came close to ending it, but in the end, Yuuto stepped up once more.
In the final ten minutes, he led a crucial 14-4 run, draining fadeaway after fadeaway to score 10 consecutive points and personally bury Washington.
Terrence Ross had gone absolutely nuclear that game—5-for-11 from three, drilling impossible shots left and right, finishing with a team-high 30 points. But it still wasn't enough to match Yuuto's career-high 51!
This was Yuuto's new NCAA scoring record, though he hadn't broken the record.
The NCAA's single-game scoring record was absurd.
Jack Taylor had set it by erupting for a jaw-dropping 138 points in a single game.
That happened in November 2012—not long ago.
Of course, that was a Division III game. While it caused a stir, fans quickly forgot about it. Yuuto's 50-point performance carried far more weight.
"A talent like Yu typically emerges once every five years. What makes this year special is that two transcendent talents are in the same draft class."
"Whether it's Yu or AD, both are worthy of being this year's number one overall pick."
The consecutive victories had shot Yuuto's projected draft position all the way up to fifth.
But he wasn't the only one shining in the NCAA. The University of Kentucky was also steamrolling opponents under Anthony Davis's leadership.
Just how good was this year's Kentucky team?
Their core, Anthony Davis, would be the 2012 first overall pick. Their small forward, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, would go second. Their starting point guard, Marquis Teague, was also projected as a lottery pick.
Put simply, if UCLA wanted to win March Madness this year, Kentucky was an opponent they'd have to face.
And the Brow—he was a freshman just like Yuuto, with limitless potential.
...
Pauley Pavilion.
The scene of UCLA's push for their 13th consecutive victory.
The game was already in the second half, with UCLA trailing by 4.
But the fans at Pauley weren't worried in the slightest, because once the second half began, the game had officially entered "Yu Time."
Of the team's previous twelve straight wins, four had been singlehandedly dragged across the finish line by Yuuto's individual brilliance.
The legendary "Logo Man" Jerry West—former Lakers GM, former Grizzlies GM, current Warriors consultant—was in attendance today.
"He's incredible. Sometimes when I watch him play, I feel like I'm seeing another Kobe."
"He might even be better than Bryant."
Jerry West's expression remained calm as he listened to his assistant.
Kobe was one of his proudest achievements as a GM.
He had put Kobe through just 16 minutes of workouts before convincing the Lakers to acquire him at all costs.
Then.
Kobe delivered five championships to the Lakers and devoted his entire career to the franchise.
And today, after watching just one half of Yuuto's game, he believed Yuuto was even better than Kobe.
The assistant was somewhat shocked—that kind of assessment would make waves if it got out to the media.
But Jerry West didn't care. In fact, he seemed almost disinterested.
He had known for a while that Yuuto was a once-in-a-decade talent. He believed Yuuto would become the next great star.
But that wasn't a judgment that required someone of his stature—the man hailed as the greatest team-builder in NBA history—to make.
Yuuto's talent was that obvious. Any of the thirty NBA GMs could see it.
There was really no need for him to come watch Yuuto play in person.
He should be focused on helping the Warriors return to the playoffs.
Yet here he was, eyes fixed on Yuuto from the moment the second half began, watching him explode.
He also noticed something: every time an offensive or defensive play failed, Yuuto would freeze for a moment.
He'd stand there, eyes vacant, as if thinking and replaying what had happened. Then, the very next possession, his offense or defense would improve.
That quality deeply captivated Jerry West.
But the problem remained the same—he didn't need to be Jerry West to recognize such a talent.
Across the arena.
Celtics GM Danny Ainge was also watching Yuuto.
Many people called him a cold-blooded creature.
Yes.
He was indeed cold-blooded to the point of being heartless—a reputation he'd never denied.
Even Larry Bird, the Celtics' legendary hero, was someone Ainge had once suggested trading away after injuries rendered him unable to play.
...
That was the kind of person he was.
When Larry Bird had value, he was a god-like figure, the king of the Celtics. But once you couldn't contribute? Even if your name was Larry Bird, you should get out of Boston.
All of it was for the Celtics—this great franchise.
The same applied to Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen right now.
In 2008, he assembled the Big Three and brought the Celtics back to the mountaintop.
But that peak was fleeting. Their hated rivals, the Lakers, won back-to-back championships. The Heat formed their own super-trio.
The Celtics' aging Big Three could no longer compete. Boston's championship window had closed once again.
For this reason, Danny Ainge needed to start building the team's next decade.
And building a team required finding a cornerstone first.
...
This Asian prodigy guard, along with Anthony Davis, had entered his sights.
As for draft picks?
That didn't matter. Anyone on the Celtics' current roster could be used as trade bait—including franchise icon Paul Pierce.
Danny Ainge was just that ruthless.
On the court.
The game had entered its decisive final stage.
"Clear out—let Yu work!" Coach Steve bellowed from the sideline.
The Bruins were used to this by now—giving Yuuto the ball in crunch time. He had become the team's unquestioned leader.
Facing his defender, Yuuto rose into his triple-threat stance, his breath steady.
Suddenly, he exploded with a lightning-quick crossover to his right, taking a half-body lead with just one step.
Immediately, he used his body to seal off the defender, muscling his way toward the rim. His opponent desperately reached in to contest, but Yuuto adjusted mid-air with a double-clutch, switching hands to avoid the block and kissing the ball off the glass.
BOOM.
Pauley Pavilion erupted. That bucket had put UCLA back in the lead.
After scoring, Yuuto pounded his chest with a fist and let out a roar.
This was one of the rare moments he engaged with the crowd. All 13,000 fans grew even more frenzied, their screams threatening to lift the roof.
That play forced the opposing coach to call timeout.
"Get physical! Use your body! Don't give him any openings, you soft egg! How many points do you want to give Yu tonight? 100?!"
The opposing coach's screaming was crystal clear even in the deafening arena.
The Colorado Buffaloes desperately wanted this win—they were just one step away from ending UCLA's streak.
...
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