Chapter 1: The Connecticut Huskies

On March 9, 1996, Madison Square Garden in New York City hosted the NCAA Big East Conference championship game. The No. 2 seed Georgetown Hoyas faced off against the top-seeded Connecticut Huskies in the final.

From tip-off at 9 p.m., the arena echoed with cheers. Besides the die-hard fans of both teams, local basketball enthusiasts had also eagerly bought tickets to support the game. The New York Times had hyped the matchup extensively beforehand, and ESPN, the broadcaster, sent renowned commentators Dell Vitale and Sean McDonald to call the game.

This Big East final attracted so much attention largely due to the presence of highly popular star players on both sides.

“Defense! Defense! Defense!” The Georgetown Hoyas fans, who had reached the Big East championship game four times in six years, shouted excitedly—they were inching closer to victory!

On the Connecticut Huskies’ bench, Li You maintained a composed expression, though a twinge of frustration stirred within him. Even a prodigious, seemingly destined talent like him couldn’t withstand referees with obvious biases.

Facing Allen Iverson that night, Li found himself in early foul trouble and was forced to sit on the bench.

On the court, Allen Iverson, clad in black with a buzz cut and striking eyebrows and eyes, radiated confidence. Spotting Ricky Moore swiftly pushing past half court, Iverson immediately stepped up to guard him tightly.

On the left wing, Ricky Moore shielded the ball sideways, pressing towards the three-point line while contending with Iverson’s defense.

At the right baseline, Connecticut’s star Ray Allen tangled with rookie Victor Page. The two tussled, cutting quickly from right to left into the paint.

Anxious, Ray Allen used a screen from center teammate Travis Knight to quickly pop out from the middle. Knight’s imposing 7-foot-0, 250-pound frame proved effective, allowing Allen to shake off defenders and reach the top of the key, where he caught a pass from a teammate.

At that moment, Allen Iverson lunged to Allen’s left side to provide help defense, with rookie Victor Page closing in as well.

Surrounded by two defenders, Ray Allen wasted no time; he released the ball with his right hand, stepped through, and, powered by explosive strength, drove through the paint despite the pressure.

“Oh!” Madison Square Garden erupted in surprise as Georgetown’s center Othella Harrington, standing 6-foot-10 and weighing 250 pounds, delivered a forceful palm to Ray Allen, knocking him to the floor.

The referee immediately blew the whistle. Harrington paid no heed, even raising his fist and roaring with laughter in celebration.

This bold move rattled several Connecticut Huskies players.

A scuffle broke out instantly—shouting, grabbing, and pushing ensued. Sensing the situation escalating, the referees rushed in to separate the players.

At this point, the score stood at 60 to 47, with Georgetown leading by 13. Only four minutes remained in the second half, and the outcome seemed nearly decided.

The Connecticut crowd instinctively rose to their feet, all eyes fixed on Ray Allen as he got up from the floor.

Rubbing his wrist in visible pain, Allen shook his head at teammates, exhaled deeply, and took his place at the free-throw line.

Cheers erupted again. On the sidelines, Connecticut’s head coach Jim Calhoun suppressed his fierce expression and, after ceasing complaints to the referees, called out sharply to the bench:

“Li! Get ready to go in—we need points! The game isn’t over yet!”

Li You promptly tossed aside his towel, calm and collected as he approached the scorer’s table.

At the announcer’s table, Dell Vitale noticed the substitution and, rubbing his bald head, exclaimed loudly:

“Is the ‘Cool Boy’ about to save the team again? I’ve liked Li’s performance this season, but the time might be running out.”

Sean McDonald added, “Coach Calhoun is playing it a bit too conservatively; he should’ve made this substitution earlier.”

“The momentum’s on Georgetown’s side,” Sean continued. “Iverson has completely taken control tonight!”

Allen Iverson, spotting Li You entering the game, curled his lips in disdain. He harbored no fondness for this fellow sophomore from the same Big East conference. In their two years of college competition, Iverson had never once triumphed over him.

The noise in Madison Square Garden swelled as Georgetown fans tried to disrupt Ray Allen’s free throws.

“Hey, pal, ready to watch us take the championship live!?” Iverson shouted from beyond the three-point line, head held high with a smug smile, flaunting the imminent title to Li You.

“Crybaby still hasn’t learned his lesson!” Li muttered under his breath, ignoring Iverson thereafter. As Ray Allen sank both free throws, Li quickly signaled a tactical play to his teammates on the court.

Recalling the tough times of his freshman year, Iverson’s smile vanished instantly.

Despite the era’s distinct buzz cut, Li You’s striking eyes, youthful face, and mature aura left a deep impression.

Seeing the tactical sign from his old teammate, Ray Allen relaxed, rapidly retreating on defense while loudly alerting teammates to stay vigilant. He believed there was still a chance in the game.

Although the NCAA had shortened the shot clock from 45 to 35 seconds, the pace remained deliberate.

Amidst the cheers of the Georgetown fans, Iverson calmly dribbled past half court. They held an 11-point lead and controlled the game’s tempo.

On the sidelines, coach John Thompson vocally urged his players to stay composed.

Hearing the coach’s command, Iverson positioned himself at the top of the key and promptly passed the ball to George Butler, stationed on the right wing beyond the arc.

The 6-foot-2 senior guard, a seasoned player, immediately signaled to center Othella Harrington to establish position on the right low post.

This was a familiar play for the Georgetown Hoyas, executed countless times before.

Just as Harrington received the ball, Li You, who had been guarding Iverson's cut through the middle, abruptly abandoned his matchup.

Taking advantage of center Travis Knight’s physical screen on an opponent, Li swiftly moved to Harrington’s side and fiercely swiped the ball with his right hand.

“Snap!”

The basketball bounced off the floor and was stolen by Li. Connecticut’s fans erupted in cheers—if Georgetown was allowed to waste another 35 seconds, the game would be truly out of reach.

The clamor in Madison Square Garden didn’t distract Li You. Holding the ball in his left hand, he quickly advanced along the left sideline.

George Butler trailed closely, resorting to petty fouls, but Li’s agility compensated for his lack of size—standing 6-foot-3 to Butler’s 6-foot-4.

Approaching the left wing, Li lowered his hips and slowed, dribbling swiftly between his legs with his left hand, shifting rhythm and lunging sharply forward and left.

Though not known for explosive bursts, his sudden stops and starts in transition caught Butler off guard, causing the defender to instinctively slide back to the right.

Sensing Butler’s defensive shift, Li instantly crossed back, retreating beyond the three-point line. Butler, attempting to adjust, stumbled, losing his defensive stance entirely.

“Oh!”

The flashy move drew gasps from the crowd.

What shocked the New York basketball fans even more was that Li You did not seize the moment to drive to the basket. Instead, from beyond the arc, he quickly squared up and launched the ball.

Allen Iverson, who had just recovered to the three-point line, watched the ball arc toward the basket and swish cleanly through the net. He cursed under his breath:

“Fuck! Another damn three-pointer!”