Chapter 5: The Invisible Talent

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Before the 1996 draft even began, many media outlets were already hyping certain players. David Falk, the renowned agent of the 1990s, currently represented Allen Iverson. Michael Jordan’s success was also inseparable from Falk’s support; together, they pioneered sports marketing in the realm of team basketball. Within the agent community, David Falk symbolized success, and ever since starting his own business, Mark Bartelstein yearned to replicate his predecessor’s achievements.

Sending Ray Allen to the Celtics, a major market team, aligned with his interests, but as for Yi Li, he wanted to be the first to take a bold risk. In this era of slower information flow, discovering a prodigious talent usually started in high school. Yet, America was vast, and some talents inevitably slipped through the cracks. After dispatching Yi Li and Ray Allen, Mark Bartelstein ordered another cup of coffee and pulled out the files from his bag:

Yi Li: Point Guard
DOB: December 31, 1977
Height (barefoot): 6 feet 3.25 inches (191 cm)
Wingspan: 198 cm
Weight: 87.7 kg
Body fat: 9.1%
Standing reach: 249 cm
Vertical jump (standing): 74.6 cm
Standing reach with jump: 325 cm
Vertical jump (with approach): 90 cm
Reach with approach jump: 340 cm
Baseline shuttle run: 11.07 seconds
Three-quarter court sprint: 3.28 seconds
185-pound bench press (84 kg): 10 reps

His lateral movement was not swift; he struggled to defend speedy players effectively. His physical gifts were average, and his athleticism was not outstanding. He relied too heavily on outside shooting, and some of his shot selections were poor. However, he was adept at ball handling with both hands, capable of shooting within half a second, with lightning-fast release, unafraid of contact. He possessed a high basketball IQ, strictly executing tactical plans, and had an understanding of the game beyond his years. Unlike traditional point guards, if he could improve his shooting consistency, he might become an excellent shooter.

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Draft comparison: Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf.

This report was compiled in early March. Unlike scouts who viewed players with bias, this evaluation came from within Priority Sports Entertainment. Mark Bartelstein’s prior experience in investment banking at Morgan Stanley made him more inclined to bet on future potential. Since founding his company in 1985, if he couldn’t sign star players, he signed role players— as long as contracts were high enough and numerous, profits remained substantial.

On Yi Li’s scouting report, Mark circled the age with a wavy line, silently encouraging himself again: "His physical condition already surpasses Steve Nash’s, he’s not even 19 yet, and he will keep growing. The future is promising—he won’t go undrafted!"

...

On March 16th, the RCA Dome in Indianapolis hosted the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The Eastern Michigan Eagles, a team that also focused on outside shooting, had senior Brian Tolbert as their primary scorer. Another junior guard, Ekins, was the second scoring option. Both were under 6’3” and lacked physical size, but their shots after screens were precise.

In the first six minutes, the sluggish Tolbert repeatedly lost his man and missed all his shots. After a day of rest, the players’ form was affected. Coach Calhoun, seeing the game tightening, waved Yi Li into the court. The freshman bench players watched eagerly; in the tournament, they had fallen out of the rotation.

“Attack their interior, don’t let them easily run fast breaks,” Calhoun instructed. Tonight, he brought in senior Rudy Johnson, a big-bodied African American known for his inside physicality, though he was helpless against long rebounds after missed three-pointers.

During a free throw, the replaced Tolbert looked dejected. He couldn’t find his rhythm; the opposing nimble guards’ defense clung tightly, making him uncomfortable.

At 18:16, with 7:58 elapsed, Connecticut trailed. Perhaps influenced by star player Iverson, the 6-foot black guard Ekins led the defense and constantly disrupted play. Yet, their differing physical attributes meant different defensive pressures. Near midcourt, Ekins suddenly intensified contact, swiftly poking at the ball with his right hand, attempting to force a turnover.

Yi Li reacted instinctively, dribbling behind his back with a wide arc, evading the steal. Switching to his left hand, he suddenly accelerated.

Approaching the three-point line, holding the ball left-handed, Yi Li abruptly stopped, forcefully dunked in place. Ekins had only just paused his step when Yi Li pushed forward, changed direction, snatched the ball with his right hand, and powered through with a shoulder drive.

Both teams players had just settled; inside big man Theron Wilson only caught a blink of Yi Li leaping with both feet off the paint.

Wilson couldn’t raise his hand in time for a block. Yi Li grabbed the ball single-handedly with his right, drew his arm back, and delivered a thunderous tomahawk dunk!

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Boom!

The rim thundered loudly. Wilson staggered from the collision, standing awkwardly under the basket amidst the roaring cheers of the crowd.

“Oh—!”

“I think Yi Li entering the draft this year is the right choice. He can find a spot in the NBA!” Jim Nantz, tonight’s commentator and famous sports journalist, shouted with the enthusiasm of a panda enthusiast seeing a rare sight.

Dunks always boost morale. Upon landing, Yi Li’s teammates erupted in excitement.

On defense, Yi Li smiled at the opposing backcourt duo. Compared to the freakish talents, he was somewhat lacking, but against ordinary small guards, he stood tall, strong, and fast.

Following the coach’s directives, Yi Li unleashed himself, easily driving inside over several possessions.

He leaned in for a teardrop, powering through a big man to finish the floater. Suddenly, Yi Li scored six straight points, forcing the opponent to call a timeout.

The timeout didn’t solve the problem. Yi Li attacked the paint once more, scoring two points. After a baseline inbound, he suddenly surged forward.

Near the top of the arc, holding the ball in his right hand and accelerating, Yi Li dribbled between his legs, lowering his center of gravity. His left hand scooped the ball briefly.

He faked left, fooling Ekins’ defense, then made a wide front-court crossover.

Ekins, still sliding right, was beaten by a step. Yi Li, nearly flying low to the ground, charged into the paint, absorbing a block attempt, and used his left hand to scoop in the floater!

Squeak!

At the referee’s whistle, the ball almost grazed the top edge of the backboard, hit the glass, and dropped through the net.

“Oh!!”

The Connecticut fans erupted in joy. On the sidelines, Coach Calhoun pumped his fist, knowing he had made the right substitution.

Yi Li lost balance and slid on the floor. His teammates rushed to his side immediately.

Ray Allen helped him up, whispering excitedly with awe:

“Beautiful finish!”

Yi Li smiled, exchanging high-fives with his teammates. As he walked to the free throw line, a thought struck him bitterly:

“Iverson’s extraordinary court sense—truly an incredible gift!…”