I was a top student in America.

You only practiced for half a month?

Durant glanced at the reactions of the tryouts on the sidelines, then at the veteran players whispering among themselves on the bench. His feelings were far more complex than theirs.

I was delighted, but at the same time I felt a pang of regret.

He admitted that when Li Aogang walked onto the stage, he didn't even give him a second glance.

But after three offensive plays, Durant's opinion completely changed.

The first two times he was blocked by Tayshaun, Li Ao didn't lose the ball or his balance. He was able to immediately pull the ball back when blocked, remaining calm and composed, which is quite remarkable.

The third sudden change of speed and rhythm was clean and crisp, and the timing of the sudden stop and lean back shot was perfect.

To develop this kind of feel and rhythm in just half a month is definitely not something that can be achieved through hard practice alone; this kid was born to do this.

Also, the explosive power of that last step was off. Taeshorn's lateral movement was fast enough, but he was still pulled back by half a step.

This startup speed is really scary.

It's also a matter of talent.

In Durant's seven years leading the team, he's seen players who are physically strong but lack the brains to keep up, as well as players who are quick-witted but clumsy.

But the number of newcomers who can be both physically and mentally online at the same time can be counted on one hand.

This Asian kid may lack physical strength and isn't very competitive, but his reading ability and on-the-spot judgment on the court have surpassed most of today's tryouts.

If only this kid had joined the basketball team two years earlier.

With the addition of Ty Shore, one offensive and one defensive player, Wyndham might actually be able to make a run for Chicago's Red Zone league.

But it's too late to say all this now.

Li Ao is already in eleventh grade. If he is trained from scratch, he will graduate from high school by the time he has mastered the combat system and tactics.

Durant pulled himself out of his thoughts, circled Li Ao's name in red on the scoreboard, and then looked at Li Ao again:

"You need to improve your physical strength. In a real competition, you won't be able to handle it if your opponent gets physically involved. If you want to stay on the team, you need to increase your strength and weight."

"Did you remember?"

He genuinely believed the kid had good talent, but was worried that he would only focus on technical skills without training his physique, resulting in a mere showy display of skill.

Li Ao listened attentively and understood that the coach was thinking of him.

After all, basketball is a contact sport, and when he was defending against Tayshaun, he was indeed knocked away by a single headbutt, so he still needs to work on his strength.

However, what Durant didn't know was that he intentionally gave up that defensive possession.

His explosive power can only be used once in a short period of time. If he tries to go toe-to-toe with Taeshone on the defensive end, he may not be able to withstand it, and he will definitely run out of energy on the offensive end.

So he saved that moment for the attack.

Of course, I can't explain these things to anyone.

He nodded: "Understood, Coach."

Then he went to his seat and sat down.

Several pairs of eyes followed him over and stared at him for a while before looking away.

The discussions could no longer be suppressed.

"Only half a month? That dribbling doesn't look like it's been half a month."

"That fadeaway shot was so beautiful, just like Kobe's."

"Has he really never played ball before?"

Compared to the lively atmosphere on the sidelines, Jalen Washington remained completely silent.

He transferred from Bridgeport High School to Wyndham because the competition on the basketball team there was less. With his experience as a substitute there, he figured he could definitely become a starter at Wyndham.

In that one-on-one situation, he had found a slight opening and forced a shot, but the ball bounced off the front edge of the rim.

He was just a little bit unlucky; he didn't think he was really worse than Li Ao.

But the words "practiced for half a month" hurt him more than the ball itself.

Jaylen started playing basketball at the age of twelve and trained for more than three years.

When he had only been learning for half a month, he couldn't even make a proper mid-range shot when he was open, let alone make a sudden stop and fadeaway when facing a defender.

Li Aocai practiced for only half a month and was able to make that kind of shot in front of Ty Shawn.

The difference in talent was immediately apparent.

Jay Chou gritted his teeth.

However, he did play as a substitute in Bridgeport for a year and a half, so he shouldn't have his mentality collapse over just one goal.

Thinking about it carefully, he has better stamina than Li Ao, is much stronger in confrontation, and has an advantage in height and reach. In a real five-on-five fight, this skinny guy wouldn't last a single round.

Ultimately, one's own strength is what matters.

Jaylen looked away from Li Ao and flexed his wrists a couple of times.

Just as Li Ao picked up his math book, Jamal leaned over, still looking somewhat dazed, and whispered:

"Leo, you're amazing..."

Li Ao waved his hand, smiling as he gestured for him to stop shouting.

The sentence "I practiced for half a month" was said too casually.

He realized what he had done and began to regret it.

007, a veteran office worker, had learned from his experience that if you make the only basket in front of a group of people who are desperately trying to get into the school team, and then casually say that you've only been practicing for half a month, you're just inviting envy.

He joined the basketball team to protect himself and help with his college entrance exams, not to show off.

In a place like Wyndham, being envied is no fun.

Jamal opened his mouth, then swallowed his words, giving off a "Fine, you're so great, you decide" look.

Li Ao shook his head and didn't mention the matter. He quietly opened his math book and buried himself in doing more practice problems.

The remaining trainees completed the process one after another, and as expected, Ty Shawn didn't let any of them go.

After the tryouts ended, Durant scanned the sidelines and began announcing the roster.

He has always been decisive and efficient, and never resorts to the "go back and wait for notification" approach.

Selecting people is selecting people; it's decided on the spot, and those who aren't suitable can leave.

"Those whose names are called, stay. Those whose names are not called, you may leave."

Durant glanced down at the scoreboard and called out four names.

Li Ao, Jalen Washington, Jamal Duren, and a black center who is over two meters tall.

"Everyone else, disperse. Veteran players, come and stand in line. We'll begin training immediately."

After saying that, he tucked the notepad under his arm and didn't look at anyone else again.

Jamal was selected for the school team, and he covered his mouth to gloat, excitedly punching Li Ao.

Before Li Ao could reply, he caught a glimpse of a bald man standing at the entrance of the stadium.

Mr. Brown.

Brown glanced at the court, his gaze finding Li Ao, and he waved to him.

Jamal was stunned: "Isn't that Mr. Brown, the math teacher? What does he want with you at the gym?"

It is well known that at Wyndham High School, teachers never have the time or inclination to manage students.

It's been half a day since school ended, and Mr. Brown still came to the gym to look for someone in person. It seems a bit strange.

"I don't know, maybe something's happened. I'll go check it out."

Li Ao shook his head, said goodbye to Coach Durant, tucked his math book under his arm, stood up, and strode towards the door.

Jamal stared at Li Ao's retreating figure, utterly bewildered.

Durant glanced at the doorway, then looked away and muttered under his breath, "What the hell? Training hasn't even started yet, and they've already called him away."

……

Li Ao followed Brown through the corridor to an office at the end of the first floor of the teaching building.

He went to Brown's office, but not this one.

Brown pushed open the door, and Li Ao followed him in. He immediately saw that there was another person sitting inside.

Mrs. Paterson.

Li Ao didn't expect Mrs. Paterson to be here.

She works in the school administration and doesn't usually contact students directly.

Mrs. Paterson glanced at him and immediately brought up the midterm exams.

"Your midterm exam results are out. I just took a look. Out of nearly a hundred students in the entire 11th grade, not many passed math, but you got a perfect score."

"I heard from Mr. Brown that you are preparing to participate in the AMC12 math competition. The school is very supportive and is planning to buy some materials in the name of the school to lend to you. We will also take care of your registration fee."

"Study hard and try to get good grades for the school."

Hearing Mrs. Paterson's words, Li Ao felt a surge of secret pleasure.

Books in America are extremely expensive, often costing tens or hundreds of dollars, which he simply couldn't afford. He never expected that Mrs. Paterson would directly provide financial assistance in the name of the school, which was a huge help to him.

As for the midterm exams, given the difficulty of Wyndham High School's exams, even without the system, he could easily get a high score in algebra by reviewing his memories from his previous life. It's nothing special.

Receiving school funding as a result was a pleasant surprise.

He was about to thank her when Mrs. Paterson changed the subject, saying:

"However, the school's funding is limited. We can't just give money to anyone who signs up. There have to be some rules and some thresholds."

As she spoke, she opened a drawer, took out several sheets of printing paper, and pushed them in front of Li Ao.

"If you do these questions, I'll keep my promise."

……