NBA: Be the GOAT starting today!

Dinner was held in the dining room of Curry's detached house.

American-style roasted chicken breast, slow-cooked smoked ribs, baked salmon... a rich and flavorful Southern American cuisine.

After the meal, the Curry family left, leaving Zhou Yi and Austin alone.

Everyone knew what Austin wanted to do, but the clever Curry family was merely one of the guests.

Watching Austin, impeccably dressed in a suit, take a sip of red wine, Zhou Yi knew the main event was about to begin; the ensuing conversation would determine whether the two would have any chance of collaborating in the future.

"Zhou, I watched your game yesterday, and I have to admit that your performance was outstanding. If you were to ask who is the hottest college player in the United States right now, it would undoubtedly be you."

Austin looked at the calm-looking boy in front of him as he spoke. This yellow-skinned kid had given Wilburn and the other media commentators a resounding slap in the face with his brilliant performance.

After the game against Duke University, Zhou gained a large number of fans who flooded Wilburn's personal social media with comments mocking the ESPN commentator who had ridiculed him before the game.

"Thank you, Mr. Austin. It was a very difficult match, but thankfully we won it."

"I've thought about it a lot since the competition, and I plan to participate in the draft this year. Do you have any advice for me?"

As Zhou Yi spoke, he picked up the lemonade on the table and took a sip. At only 19 years old, he was not yet of legal drinking age in the United States.

Austin paused, thought for a moment, and then spoke calmly.

"I agree with Mr. Chad Ford's point of view. You deserve a first-round pick right now, but you still lack enough game samples, which will make some NBA teams hesitant to bet on you."

"If you and Curry lead the team to the Southern Conference Championship and make it to March Madness, proving your leadership abilities, then NBA teams will be lining up outside Davidson College."

Zhou Yi nodded. Austin was right. For Zhou Yi and Curry, who were on the small team Wildcats, March Madness would be their bigger stage.

There they can compete against more strong teams, freely showcase their talent, and improve their draft stock.

However, the prerequisite for entering March Madness is winning the championship in the Southern Conference, where the Wildcats are located.

The conversation between Zhou Yi and Austin didn't last long, as they were new acquaintances and both were observing each other.

However, it seems that Austin has made a good impression on Zhou Yi. This former tennis player turned agent works for Octagon.

Its parent company, IPG, is one of the world's leading tech giants and has a complex relationship with many other major American companies.

If Zhou Yi, an Asian, wants to establish himself in the NBA, he will inevitably have to cooperate with these American giants; an agent without connections is not suitable for him.

After dinner, Zhou Yi stayed overnight at Curry's house, and the next day Curry drove them back to school.

It was only after returning to Davidson College that Zhou Yi truly felt the change in his predictions of entering the top twenty in the first round.

Fans began gathering outside the arena to watch the Wildcats practice, and some tabloid reporters with cameras even entered Davidson College to film Zhou Yi's daily life.

In the classroom, hallway, and gymnasium, people would often gather around and ask for autographs.

"Hey Zhou, this is the price of being a campus star. You know, after we made it to March Madness last season, I signed hundreds of autographs."

Watching Zhou Yi sign his name on the ball at the request of the enthusiastic female fan.

Curry, who was following along, laughed non-stop at Zhou Yi's predicament as the two headed to the school's media classroom.

ESPN's interview program invited Zhou Yi and Curry as guests, and this was Zhou Yi's first time participating in a media interview.

As the two current star players of the Davidson Wildcats, they have won all nine of their preseason games, including victories against Oklahoma City and Duke University.

Zhou Yi and Curry have become some of the most talked-about players from the 09 draft class. Curry is projected to be in the top ten in the draft, while Zhou Yi is projected to be in the top twentieth round.

"Hey Zhou, this is Smith."

A. Smith, currently the most famous Zhou fan in the United States, greeted everyone on the screen, holding up his number eight jersey.

"We've seen you get off to an eleven-game winning streak to start the season, which is a fantastic start. So, what are your goals for this season?"

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Smith went straight to asking questions.

"On this point, our team's goal is to win the Southern Conference Championship and get into March Madness. You know, no NCAA player doesn't want to be on the March Madness stage."

As Zhou Yi spoke, he looked at Curry beside him, and Curry nodded in tacit agreement.

ESPN had obtained prior consent from the Wildcats regarding the content of the interview, so every word Zhou Yi said was a prepared script.

March Madness is a springboard for all college players. For many, it's their only chance in their lives. A single game that decides the outcome is synonymous with honor, exposure, future prospects, and money.

This was also Austin's suggestion: to enter the Third Madness and announce his arrival to the NBA.

......

Oklahoma City Thunder, team manager's office.

Scouting director Hennigan was sitting at the desk of team manager Presti, holding a scouting report.

"Presti, I think we have a good candidate in the mid-first round pick we got from the Nuggets." After saying that, Hennigan handed the documents in his hand to Presti.

Presti took the documents and saw a name written on the scouting report—Zhou Yi.

He knew this recently famous prodigy, a Chinese forward who had consecutively defeated Oklahoma City and Duke University.

After reviewing all the scouting reports, Presti's eyes became serious, and he could not hide his interest.

"Hennigan is a very good young man. His physical gifts and size are enough to make him one of the league's top defenders and one-on-one offensive players."

However, the draft media has already placed him in the top 20 of the first round, and we can't select this promising talent with our mid-first-round (20-30) picks.

Presti's eyes flashed with regret as he spoke. As the general manager of the Thunder, he had always believed in prioritizing physical talent.

This physical talent of Zhou Yi was so tempting to him.

"We couldn't pick him in the middle of the first round, but what about the top five in the Lotto?"

Hennigan said, pointing to Zhou Yi's player profile, and then continued with certainty.

"I think this kid deserves to be picked with a top-five pick, and I've already arranged for Dawkins to scout him closely."

"Top five picks..."

Presti's tone was somewhat hesitant. The Thunder's record this season ranks near the bottom of the league, and it's already foreseeable that they will get a top-five lottery pick.

However, Presti hesitated when it came to selecting this Chinese player with a top-five pick.

The coaching staff's opinion on that draft pick was to focus on that handsome player from Arizona State University.

His name is James Harden.

"ESPN: Davidson Wildcats players Curry and Zhou Yi stated that after defeating Duke University, the Wildcats' goal this season is to win the Southern Conference Championship again and secure a spot in NCAA March Madness." —ESPN

"The Charlotte News: After his game at Duke, Zhou Yi of the Wildcats was drafted into the first round of the 09 NBA draft. According to multiple sources, several NBA teams have begun to pay attention to this prodigy." —The Charlotte News