Chapter 46: The Eagle Must Soar
After the celebratory night of winning the championship in Atlanta, the Texas Tech University players returned to Lubbock on a private jet, carrying the heavy champion trophy and reeking of mineral water. The moment the plane landed at the airport, the entire city seemed to hold its breath, followed by an eruption of deafening cheers.
From the airport to the campus, the champion parade stretched for miles. Countless residents and students flooded the streets, wearing red and black team jerseys, waving flags, and shouting the players’ names. The usually quiet neighborhoods were completely ignited, as if in the midst of a grand carnival.
Three days later, the champion rally was held at Texas Tech University’s home court, the United Spirit Arena. This place had witnessed countless victories and defeats, but today, its significance was entirely different. The entire gymnasium was packed, with tens of thousands of fans holding homemade slogans, every face beaming with happy smiles. When the lights dimmed again and the huge banner reading “2007 NCAA National Champion” slowly descended from the dome, the whole arena erupted.
Under the banner, the players stood in their team jerseys as the host introduced them one by one. Cheers rose and fell from the audience, and when he announced Xu Ling’s name, the roar in the entire gymnasium reached its peak.
Then, Coach Bob Knight took the stage. He picked up the microphone but didn’t speak immediately. He scanned the crowd with his falcon-like eyes, and seeing the excited fans, a rare softness appeared on his face.
“I think I don’t need to say much,” Coach Knight’s voice was low and powerful, “because you’ve all seen it. These kids, they’ve proven with their actions that as long as you believe, as long as you work hard, anything is possible!”
Thunderous applause erupted from the audience, lasting a long, long time. Until Knight raised his hand again, signaling everyone to quiet down.
“Especially this kid,” Knight placed his hand on Xu Ling’s shoulder, “he came here and changed us. With his talent, his resilience, his determination, he brought us this trophy. I’m proud of him!”
The scene once again descended into a sea of cheers.
Then, Knight handed the microphone to Xu Ling.
Xu Ling was about to say something when someone in the stands suddenly shouted loudly: “One more year!”
This voice acted like a fuse, quickly igniting the entire arena. Tens of thousands of fans began chanting in unison:
“One more year! One more year! One more year!”
The commotion lasted for several minutes. When the scene quieted down, Xu Ling had no choice but to go along with Knight’s words: “If you shout a little louder, um, anything is possible.”
The scene thus descended into a new round of frenzy.
Everyone was laughing, but only those inside the Red Raiders knew it was impossible. Xu Ling had no reason to stay in the NCAA anymore.
After that, the college season ended, and the basketball team went on break. The Red Raiders’ coaching staff entered recruiting season; they needed to use the next few months to scout the next class of players.
Julius Jackson was about to retire from the team; his senior season was nothing short of perfect. As the starting guard for the national champions, he averaged 12 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists per game. Though completely overshadowed by Xu Ling, if he went pro, the NCAA champion resume would be a significant asset.
Daryl Dora was also graduating. Compared to Jackson’s NBA potential, Dora was more pragmatic; he had already decided to seek opportunities overseas.
Martin Zeno would become the next captain. His top priority right now was to figure out Xu Ling’s situation. Though Xu Ling was definitely entering this year’s draft, what if? What if he was moved by the championship celebration scenes and, like Florida’s Fab Five last year, stayed for one more year? If that happened, he’d have to learn from Julius Jackson. As the nominal leader, how to serve the underclassmen? That was an art.
These days, besides keeping up with training, Xu Ling went to classes like a regular student. But strangely, Zeno, the guy about to become captain, kept pestering him all day, asking about his plans.
“M.Z., you’ve been hounding me for days. Is this answer that important to you?” Xu Ling looked at him curiously.
“It’s very important.” Zeno said seriously, “It will decide whether I’m Texas Tech’s Richie Davis or Lamar Odom next season.”
Hearing that, Xu Ling wanted to ask what he thought his positioning was this season. Smash Parker? Hmm, that might be a bit rude.
“Mm.” Xu Ling just nodded in acknowledgment.
“Mm? That’s it?” Zeno suddenly exclaimed.
Xu Ling glanced at him: “What else? Should I write you a farewell letter?”
Xu Ling leaned lazily back in his chair, deliberately drawing out his tone: “Alright—I’m about to pack my bags and go to the NBA to be a pitiful millionaire rookie. How’s that? Emotional enough for you, esteemed Captain?”
“That’s more like it.” Zeno nodded pretentiously, then suddenly lowered his voice, imitating a commentator’s tone: “Let’s wish this rookie well; he barely passed this year, right?”
The guy cracked up laughing at his own words first. Indeed, just leading a March Madness first-round exit team to slaughter everyone else and win the national championship—barely passing.
“Seriously,” Zeno suddenly got solemn, “you gotta officially announce this, right?”
Xu Ling gazed at the champion banner hanging from the arena dome and nodded lightly: “Of course. But before that, let me be Texas Tech’s Eli a little longer, okay, my captain?”
“Of course, no problem. I’m heading out.” Zeno scampered off happily.
Back at the dorm that day, roommate Roderick Craig said: “Another agent just called.”
“Who?” Xu Ling asked.
“Bill Duffy.”
Yao Ming’s agent? Xu Ling didn’t think much of it. These days, besides Zeno, the agents were the biggest nuisance. First, an Arn Tellem, who claimed to represent Tracy McGrady and Amare Stoudemire, showed great sincerity on the phone. Xu Ling didn’t think he was a scammer, but clearly, those two players’ career paths weren’t great, so Xu Ling wasn’t interested in his offer.
Then there was a David Falk, supposedly Jordan’s agent. But nowadays, Falk had faded from the peak of agent stardom along with Jordan’s downfall with the Washington Wizards; he was just a so-called “big-name agent” in name only.
Today’s Duffy was interesting, though. At least as an agent, he had precedent working with Chinese players like Yao Ming; he knew how to handle them. But Xu Ling wasn’t sure if he had any maneuvering room left.
After the championship game, the 2007 draft landscape had become murky. Oden might still be the number 1 draft pick; though defeated by Xu Ling in March Madness, his performance was no less impressive, with 29 points, 15 rebounds, and 6 blocks. Durant was eliminated early in March Madness; though he showed strong offensive talent, Xu Ling was more well-rounded and led the seemingly weaker Texas Tech to the national championship.
This put scouts ranking Xu Ling’s immediate combat power first in the 2007 class. His talent was slightly below Oden and Durant, but how many fully realize their talent? The battle between Xu Ling and Durant for second and third would go down to draft day.
With this market value, what maneuvering was needed?
Xu Ling asked: “What did you say?”
“What you told me to.” Craig repeated, “‘Wait until Eli officially announces for the draft.'”
“Thanks, Roderick.” Xu Ling smiled.
One afternoon at the end of April, Lubbock’s sun was as dry and scorching as ever. Xu Ling went alone to Coach Knight’s office. The door was half-open; Knight sat behind the desk in his signature black sweater, staring at the computer screen, seemingly studying something.
“Come in, Eli.” Knight didn’t turn around; his voice was calm and dignified, as if he had anticipated Xu Ling’s arrival.
Xu Ling entered the office, closed the door, and sat in the chair opposite Knight. The air was filled with the scent of old papers and coffee.
“I know why you’re here.” Knight turned around, his deep gaze fixed on him. His expression was complex, with pride and a hint of barely perceptible loss.
“Coach, I…”
“Remember what we said after the Pete Newell Invitational?” Knight interrupted him, his voice low. “I asked if you were ready to be the team’s leader, and you said, ‘Wait until I win one.’ I thought you were just being clever, or young impulsiveness. But you did it. You damn well did it.”
“You led us to a national championship,” his tone softened, “you brought Texas Tech something it never had. Now, you have no reason to stay. You’ve fulfilled your commitment, and I have no reason to stop an eagle that wants to soar higher.”
Xu Ling had thought Knight would try to persuade him, but this old man had coached college for over forty years; he knew when to say goodbye, and that was now.
“Thank you, Coach.”
“Enough with the sappy stuff.” Knight waved his hand, his voice back to its usual gruffness, “Get ready. We’re holding a press conference for you. I’m personally sending my national champion and MOP to the NBA!”
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“Agent Zero Gilbert Arenas becomes the cover athlete for NBA Live.” —《Washington Post》
“NBA executives select Nowitzki as the most valuable player this season.” —《Associated Press》
“Under Bob Knight’s watchful eye, 2007 NCAA Final Four MOP Eli Xu officially announces entry into the 2007 NBA Draft.” —《Texas Daily News》
“After years of struggle and failure, Kobe Bryant has had enough; he formally requested a trade from the Lakers this Saturday.” —《Los Angeles Times》
“Oden, Eli, Durant: Will the 2007 NBA Draft become the greatest draft class ever?” —《Sports Illustrated》
