NBA : Formidable Center

Chapter 25: Chapter 25: The Overlooked Draft Prospect



###

"New York... Knicks?"

Wang Song pondered for a moment before speaking.

He recalled that the Knicks hadn't made the playoffs in recent years, including this one. For Scott Layden to boldly claim they'd reach the Eastern Conference Finals next season seemed... ambitious.

"Mr. Layden, I must first apologize. I haven't yet decided whether to declare for this year's draft."

Layden's expression revealed disappointment, though he seemed to have anticipated rejection. What surprised him was how decisively it came.

Glen Grunwald, standing beside him, was visibly shocked. He couldn't fathom how this Asian youngster would outright refuse his boss's offer. He reiterated the question:

"Wang, are you sure you won't reconsider?"

"Of course, but I have a question: Why aren't you considering that guy?" Wang gestured toward Carmelo Anthony, seated on the sidelines.

Layden followed Wang's line of sight and glanced at Anthony. Grunwald, intrigued, scrutinized the player while stroking his chin.

"Boss, if we end up with a top-five pick, maybe we should consider Syracuse's forward."

Layden's expression grew complicated before he shook his head.

"He's too eager to perform, and his offensive decision-making needs work. He's better suited for teams without star players—teams where he might thrive. As for the Knicks... we already have Allan Houston; Anthony just isn't a fit."

---

### Courtside

Carmelo Anthony, initially planning to assert his dominance in front of Wang Song, now sat glumly on the bench. He'd been watching Wang's every move, guessing that once approached by NBA representatives, Wang would undoubtedly seize the opportunity immediately.

For most NCAA players, dazzling performances that caught the attention of scouts often translated into quick commitments and smiles as they exited the arena.

"This is how it always goes. These role players are content with small gains," Anthony muttered disdainfully.

As the game's top scorer and having set a personal record, Anthony believed his prospects were leagues ahead of most NBA hopefuls.

However, after the game, despite his stellar performance, no scouts approached him to exchange contacts. He watched as three middle-aged men surrounded Wang Song, eagerly handing over their business cards. Their fawning attitudes deeply stung Anthony.

Even after hitting a career milestone, Anthony saw the spotlight stolen by the North Carolina Wolves' Asian center—a situation he found utterly unacceptable.

When Layden and Grunwald's eyes finally turned to him, Anthony's spirits soared, thinking,

"Ah, they've finally realized who the real star is."

But before he could relish the moment, Layden's complex expression dealt him another heavy blow.

"This guy doesn't even know talent when he sees it," Anthony thought bitterly, vowing to blacklist the Knicks and their representatives forever.

---

After politely declining Layden's offer and taking his contact information, Wang returned to his hotel room.

Fishing out the collection of business cards from his pocket, one card caught his attention—it was printed in Chinese. During their brief conversation earlier, Wang vaguely remembered this fellow mentioning a potential endorsement deal.

With no current sponsorships and little chance for financial gain during college, Wang saw no reason to pass up this opportunity. Despite the promising draft prospects, monetizing his value now seemed practical.

"Zhong Yuan, Xinhu Sports..." Wang murmured as he dialed the number on the card.

The call connected quickly, and given the late hour, the two agreed to meet the following day at a nearby café.

---

### The Next Morning

The North Carolina Wolves were scheduled to depart for New Orleans later that evening, heading to Louisiana for the Final Four.

Bright and energetic after a good night's sleep, Wang grabbed a newspaper from the hotel lobby. The first thing he saw was his own face on the front page.

**"New York Sports News: Knicks President's Top Pick—A New Pillar for the Paint!"**

The accompanying photo showed Wang in conversation with Layden on the court, with a dejected Carmelo Anthony in the background.

"Unbelievable!" Wang exclaimed, stunned by how the New York media operated.

Scanning the headline's dramatic flair, Wang chuckled at the exaggerated tone. Skimming the article revealed it was surprisingly mundane.

Turning to other papers, he found:

- **"Texas Five Routs Opponents, Advances to Final Four!"** – *Texas Daily*

- **"Insane Comeback! Down 15 in the Fourth, Marquette Triumphs! Meet Dwyane Wade!"** – *Wisconsin Bulletin*

- **"Kansas University Dominates: An NBA-Level Team in the NCAA!"**

As he reviewed the teams heading to the Final Four, Wang began assessing his future opponents.

---

### System Updates

Later that evening, after a celebratory team dinner at a Michelin-starred steakhouse, Wang returned to his room and opened the system panel:

**Host:** Wang Song

**Height:** 213cm

**Weight:** 95kg

**Attributes:**

- Athleticism: 99

- Rebounding: 99

- Interior Defense: 99

- Finishing: 81 (previously 76)

- Post Moves: 70

- Mid-Range: 70

- Three-Point: 60

- Playmaking: 70

- Perimeter Defense: 70

- Steals: 70

**Available EXP:** 5,828

Wang was pleasantly surprised—breaking 5,000 EXP in a single game was a new personal best. Training alone could never yield such results.

"Allocate all points to finishing!" Wang commanded.

In an instant, his finishing attribute rose to 81.

The grueling schedule of high-stakes games had taught Wang the importance of dominating the paint. Both offensive and defensive skills near the basket were critical for a center's success.

---

### Preview

The Wolves' journey to New Orleans marked the beginning of the Final Four's intense competition. For Wang Song, it was another step closer to fulfilling his dreams—whether through titles, endorsements, or an NBA career.

Check out my P@treon for advance chapter on [email protected]/Twilight_scribe1

(End of Chapter)


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