Chapter 15: Effort Finally Reaps Rewards

On the evening of April 1, 1996, the University of Connecticut celebrated the first national championship in its history.

Although everyone had prepared beforehand, once they donned their championship T-shirts and gathered again at center court, seeing the golden spherical trophy right before them stirred an uncontrollable cheer among the crowd.

Coach Calhoun was visibly moved. After ten years of coaching, recruiting talented players, enduring highs and lows, the team had finally reached the pinnacle this year and claimed the title.

The cheers from the UConn fans echoed ceaselessly. For these young athletes, a championship meant a party.

The pent-up energy found its release, and many were already anticipating the celebrations awaiting them back on campus.

Jim Nantz, serving as the on-site host, waited for the crowd noise to subside before smiling and addressing Coach Calhoun:

“Jim, we all know you recruited most of the players on this team. At this moment, what would you like to say to them?”

Calhoun composed himself and spoke sincerely:

“I want to thank my players. The UConn Huskies are a united and upward family!”

“Thank you, Ray. I set high expectations for him, and he always meets them meticulously.”

“He is independent, responsible, proud, yet humble. You wouldn’t believe he’s just a junior. In his three years at UConn, he has never missed a single practice!”

“That’s unimaginable. I’ve learned a great deal from him.”

Ray Allen, standing nearby, adjusted the brim of his cap and smiled, knowing that hard work finally bore fruit.

The crowd applauded again, their cheers swelling. Calhoun paused, then continued:

“Of course, I must thank Yi. He could have chosen to stay closer to home at New Mexico State University, but I appreciate his trust. Without him, we wouldn’t be here this year.”

“Yi is special. His jump shot isn’t a gift from God. Many see his accurate shooting but overlook the hard work behind it.”

“Never change yourself for anyone. You will succeed. God favors the diligent, and UConn will always be your home!”

Calhoun embraced Yi You, the ever-kind-hearted player who had often wondered what would happen if no one stepped up from the bench this season.

Last year they only reached the Elite Eight; this year they took the championship. The biggest difference was Yi You’s increased playing time.

Coach Calhoun knew that Yi You’s contributions were crucial to the team’s success.

The surrounding media all turned their bulky cameras toward Yi You.

Amid a sea of black and white faces, Yi You certainly stood out.

Wearing a smile, Yi You simply patted the coach’s shoulder. His decision to join UConn was largely to ride on the team’s reputation...

Only he truly understood this. He needed a higher stage to showcase himself and a professional agency to help him enter the NBA.

Coach Calhoun thanked every player individually. Almost all of these young men were personally recruited by him. By the end, pride shone on his face.

The UConn fans in the stands only wanted to see their team hoist the trophy. After the acknowledgments, Calhoun, visibly emotional, raised the golden spherical trophy before him.

Besides the NCAA emblem, the trophy was engraved with “National Champions.”

Dragging the wooden square base, Coach Calhoun shouted with excitement. Yi You and his teammates jumped up and down, raising their hands and cheering.

Golden ribbons fluttered in the air above the arena. In the stands, Kentucky fans cast envious glances, their hopes for a sixth title dissolving into thin air...

For Ray Allen, this year was a harvest.

He was awarded the Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four, along with spots on the NCAA All-Tournament Team, the America East Conference Player of the Year, and the first-team all-conference—he had earned nearly every collegiate honor available.

Yi You’s accolades were less impressive. Even Allen Iverson made first team despite underwhelming results...

Yi You’s honors this season were second-team all-conference and a spot on the NCAA All-Tournament Team.

Championship teams certainly received better recognition; big man Knight also made the all-conference team.

Along with Kentucky’s Antoine Walker and UMass’s Marcus Camby, the five players chosen for this year’s all-conference team would most likely all enter the NBA.

Perhaps due to limited entertainment options, the UConn fans continued their celebrations after leaving the arena. The crowd swelled further as bar patrons watching the game joined in, creating chaos.

Before security could disperse the crowd, disgruntled Kentucky fans began hurling polite expletives. Under the barrage of “fucks,” the two sides soon clashed...

Shouts, cheers, and security calls echoed outside the arena. For these young revelers, tonight would be a sleepless night.

UConn’s multiple campuses were not close together, so after returning to the hotel, Coach Calhoun still had to discuss with the university where to hold the first celebration stop.

Yi You and his teammates seized the opportunity to drink heavily. Though he was not yet of legal drinking age, the presence of seniors made it no problem.

He returned to his room at 2 a.m., quickly showered, and after winning the championship, he was ready to unlock new talents!

Lying in bed, Yi You recalled his time living in New Mexico.

Back then, he dominated the kids his age but had only average natural gifts because among his peers, he was already the strongest.

He chose UConn for moments like this.

Watching the simple panel’s disc spin rapidly, Yi You was soon prompted:

“[Ray Allen’s Outstanding Explosiveness]”

Blinking, Yi You breathed a sigh of relief. As expected, the talents he drew were meant to compensate for his weaknesses.

So far, the only talent he had activated through two and a half years of specialized practice was “Sharpshooter.”

Thinking about the conditions for unlocking talents, Yi You couldn’t help but grumble internally:

“If this happened on a losing team caught in a tanking frenzy, it would be a waste of a year...”

On April 2, the UConn team boarded the bus for the return trip.

The journey from East Rutherford, New Jersey, to Hartford, Connecticut, spanned about 181 kilometers and took at least three and a half hours by bus.

Yi You had grown accustomed to this lifestyle. After boarding, he began reading the newspaper. Unlike his boisterous teammates, he preferred to stay informed about the times.

Ray Allen, sitting beside him, had also received a message from Mark Bartelstein that morning: another high school player was entering this year’s draft.

“This is crazy. If high schoolers play in the NBA without restrictions, it will have a huge impact on the NCAA!”

Ray often seemed old-fashioned. Just as he enjoyed watching Larry Bird and Magic Johnson’s game tapes, he was a staunch supporter of college basketball.

Yi You understood this well. Such phenomena were driven by money. The NCAA forbids players from engaging in any economic activities, while the NBA waves cash in the faces of gifted youngsters, calling:

“Come on in!”

Those from humble backgrounds need the money more. College life is great and hones tactical awareness, but in the face of money, none of that matters.

Regarding this year’s draft, Yi You’s mind lingered on a few players:

“Should we bet on whether high school players can succeed?”

Ray Allen immediately shook his head. He hadn’t won a bet in two years:

“God is always on your side. I believe in your instinct!”