Y13 [EN]: Chapter 11

Having played for a little over seven minutes, Youngjae left the court, signaled for a substitution. NCAA games, with 20-minute halves totaling 40 minutes, demanded more stamina conservation than the NBA’s 12-minute quarters. Knowing he had to pace himself, Youngjae bumped fists with Chase Tapley, who was subbing in for him, and took a seat on the bench. Kawhi Leonard, Malcolm Thomas, and D.J. Gay, who had come in together, also entered with refreshed expressions, their bodies glistening with sweat.

“Good play. Focus on breathing and recovering your stamina.”

Youngjae nodded at the coaches’ words, conserving his energy as he drank an electrolyte beverage. The score was already 20-12. Youngjae felt a twinge of annoyance thinking about the one shot he’d allowed Jordan Lawley while guarding him, but he didn’t dwell on it, knowing he couldn’t block everything. In his seven minutes, Youngjae had tallied 7 points, 2 assists, and 1 steal.

If Youngjae had wanted to, he could have forced his way to the basket to score or rack up assists, but he refrained. As he’d just considered, the NCAA required a long-term perspective, and the team’s victory should always come before individual stats—the fundamental principle of team sports.

And Youngjae’s shooting percentage was better than he expected. He’d made 1 of 1 three-pointers, 1 of 2 mid-range shots, and 1 layup from a drive to the basket, totaling 3 of 4 shots.

‘My shooting is going in too well… If it’s like this in real games, it seems my shooting touch has really improved. My body balance and reaction speed also feel much faster than before.’

Youngjae had been skeptical about whether his unusually good shooting touch in practice and scrimmages would translate to real games, but as the positive feeling persisted in games against other universities, he gradually gained confidence.

Youngjae felt his stamina returning and stood up from the bench, towel in hand. Players, fans, and coaches alike knew that basketball was a game of momentum.

Therefore, Youngjae knew he had to rest in a way that would benefit the team. He exerted himself on the court. While resting, he stood and watched the game instead of sitting, cheering the team on. In Youngjae’s mind, this was the ‘etiquette’ of a player, the way to rest while contributing to the team.

(Chase Tapley passes back to Kelvin Davis.)

Cutting in, Tapley passes the ball to Kelvin, who is positioned at the top of the key, but his drive is cut off by the opponent’s defense. Kelvin starts a shooting motion but immediately pulls the ball back, and Jake Taravilda, who was guarding Kelvin, is fooled by the fake and jumps into the air.

(Kelvin Davis’s fantastic pump fake!)

(He drives straight in. Help defense comes to fill Taravilda’s vacated spot, but Alex Williams blocks it with an amazing screen! Kelvin Davis is wide open!)

Even with the commentator’s excited shouting, Kelvin calmly jumped, releasing the 3-point shot he had been practicing for three years. This was his shot. The ball sailed in a smooth arc.

Swoosh-

(Ah, in and out!! It just kissed the rim and bounced out!!)

At that moment, a player leaped toward the ball that bounced off the rim. Despite his rugged, muscular build, the player jumped with surprising agility and speed, grabbing the ball with both hands as if to shatter the backboard, and slammed it down.

(Slam dunk! Two-handed!!)

“Wow!!!”

As if responding to Brian Carwell’s roar, Youngjae twirled his towel and shouted loudly so that Carwell could hear him.

“Awesome! Awesome!!”

D.J. Gay and Malcolm Thomas, who had been quietly holding their positions, joined in, shouting at Carwell. Leonard, still somewhat reserved with shouting and cheering, gave Carwell a thumbs-up so he could see it, cheering him on in his own way.

“Who’s calling me a gorilla!!”

Carwell huffed as he backpedaled, but his face was beaming with pride.

Steve Fisher couldn’t help but nod as he watched Youngjae, who had been the first to stand up, twirling his towel and cheering, looking genuinely happy for his teammates.

He surprisingly had a good understanding of team tactics and team chemistry. Moreover, he demonstrated leadership without being overbearing. If he weren’t a freshman, Fisher would have immediately considered making him the team captain, but he knew Youngjae wouldn’t want that.

Concentrating on the most efficient offensive routes was also indicative of good basketball sense. So-called talent basketball, which relies heavily on individual abilities, was a path Youngjae could easily have taken. However, Youngjae aimed for team play even though he could have easily increased his offensive and defensive stats. Fisher felt that the initial steal had been a bit reckless, but after that, Youngjae hadn’t made any risky plays.

Moreover, he had the ability to improve the overall performance of his teammates, such as their shooting touch and defensive skills. He would pass to teammates who lacked confidence in their shooting, giving them opportunities that were essentially open looks, and he had no hesitation in setting screens even though he was a guard.

Youngjae also took the lead in helping to cover up mistakes made by his teammates on defense. That was why Fisher had Youngjae play for only 7 minutes and then bring him back in.

The most disappointing aspect was his stamina, which was a limiting factor. It was much improved from when he first arrived, but if Fisher had to point out a weakness in Youngjae, it would be his stamina. Youngjae had been doing consistent stamina training, but he was also incredibly active on the court. Perhaps because he had a wider view, faster judgment, and more experience than the other college players, he had no choice but to move more.

When the bench players maintained the point difference, Fisher re-inserted the starting members. With about 6 minutes left in the first half, Youngjae patted Tapley, who had made 2 of 4 shots, on the back and re-entered the court.

‘Malcolm, Leonard, Tapley, Kelvin…’

Just before going out, Youngjae was assigned the role of small forward by Coach Fisher. Since San Diego State University lacked forward depth, Youngjae, who had the best defensive skills and a decent size among the guards, was given the role of small forward. It was the first game of the season, so Coach Fisher was experimenting with various lineups and tactics.

“Hmm.”

Youngjae developed the attack according to Coach Fisher’s strategy, playing as a small forward who also handles the ball—a so-called point forward. In other words, he was playing a similar role to LeBron James, often called King James, who is known for leading the offense despite being a small forward in the NBA.

‘It’s a terrible imitation compared to him… but I have to try.’

Youngjae glanced at Andrew Browning, who was sticking close to him. He didn’t appear to be a starter. Given that California State University often employed a 3-guard system, Browning was likely coming off the bench. However, as a traditional forward, he was taller than Youngjae and had a good frame, making him a difficult opponent to overpower.

Arriving at the top of the key, Youngjae scanned the entire court with a quick glance. This play required a wide view and quick decision-making. The success rate of the attack increased when you surveyed the entire court without telegraphing your intentions to the opponent. It was the most basic virtue of a point guard.

Perhaps motivated by the previous half, the defense was playing tight man-to-man coverage. In this situation, you had to create gaps by passing the ball around or break through with individual skills. But D.J. Gay, a skilled ball-handler, wasn’t on the floor. If Gay were there, they could take turns creating openings through 2-on-1 passing plays, but as it stood, there was a risk of the attack becoming stagnant with just passing.

Then, it was time to rely on one of the most important virtues of a small forward: confusing the opponent and scoring with accurate mid-range shots or drives to the basket. Youngjae chose this method without hesitation.

Thump, thum-thump!

Youngjae, taking a hesitant step with a variable rhythm, leaned his body slightly to the left in front of Browning. Then, he immediately spun in the opposite direction. In the blink of an eye, he turned around and lightly brushed past Browning, rushing into the paint without hesitation.

(Yoon’s fantastic spin move! It’s a breakthrough that Browning’s defense couldn’t stop!)

(Ah, I can really say he’s like an onion. Youngjae Yoon… he’s a really versatile player. Every time you peel him, a new side comes out!)

Youngjae was slightly impressed by Justin Brew’s defensive positioning, who came out for the help defense as soon as Browning was beaten, but that was all.

Thud-

Step back as it is. And jump.

A step-back jumper.

With Youngjae’s quick, concise, and clean shooting motion, Justin Brew could only raise his hand in a futile attempt to contest.

Clang-

(Perfect, perfect shooting!!)

(It’s one-sided. Yoon is showing in this one game that he is excellent in both game organization and individual skills!)

The students of San Diego State University were excited and shouted ‘Yoon!’, and the atmosphere was getting increasingly heated.

“Wow… he really was a good customer.”

And a woman was admiring the Huraches [Nike basketball shoes] that Youngjae was wearing.

That woman was the clerk at the shoe store.