1. AUDITION(4)

January 12, 2012. Santa Ana, California. West Edinger Ave. Mater Dei High School.

America is a ridiculously big country.

When David said Mater Dei was close by, I was thinking maybe a 10 minute drive.

But what?

It's been over an hour and 30 minutes since we left the hotel, but still not there.

It wasn't really a far distance, but to say it was close was a stretch.

"Hey, David!"

"Hmm? Hey Dwayne!"

Yesterday afternoon, David found an additional audition for me through a friend of his. That friend is none other than Mater Dei's coach, Dwayne Casey.

When I first heard the name Dwayne, I imaged an African-American like Dwayne Wade.

But instead, it was a handsome Caucasian with silver hair.

"(Is that the kid you were talking about?)"

"(Yep, that's him. I personally thought he'd get accepted into a Division 1 College team.)"

"(It is bad timing for that right now.)"

"Hey, Minhyuk!"

David called to me as I sat on a stool.

"Dwayne here went to the same college as me."

"College mate?"

"That's right! He was always a clever man and he now coaches one of the top high schools in America. Say hello!"

Something that I always found amazing. I've only been here for a short week, but I am no longer afraid to meet foreigners. Humans are creatures so easily adaptable.

"Hi."

"Oh. Big hand! That's good!"

"Haha. Thank you."

When it comes to basketball, there are two things that are advantageous if larger.

It was your height and your hands.

However, if you're too tall you are prone to injury. If your hands are too big, shooting will be more difficult. But there is a perfect size. Traditionally, players with big hands are usually the ones with good skills.

Even Michael Jordan has a hand size that can't be compared to anyone else.

"(Well come inside first. We are just starting to warm up too.)"

"(Good. Oh yeah, what about Dennis Howard?)"

"(He's gonna be a little late. He has to retake a test.)"

On our way to the gym, David and Dwayne seemed to have a conversation.

While slowly following behind them, I observed Mater Dei's surroundings. It had a completely different feeling compared to Korean high schools. Honestly, it felt more like a college than a high school.

Is it because they don't wear uniforms?

"Minhyuk! Kim Minhyuk!"

"Huh? Oh. Yes?"

As David called out to me, I was very distracted by all the white girls that were walking around the school. Suddenly, they were all walking in a different direction than me.

Once I caught up, David started scolding me.

"You know if you try to chase these girls…"

I already knew well.

"There are a total of top 8 spots for Del Toro's recruiting ranking."

"Top 8? That's good, right?"

"Haha. I told you, Minhyuk. You have to change your thinking over here. The overall ranking goes up to 36. Even that alone is a huge feat."

"…"

If we were to rank Korean college players, I wonder what it would be like if one of them got top 36?

In an average season, there are no more than 30 players who get picked for the KBL draft.

Although it's different to compare a high school team to a professional team, I took David's advice of thinking differently and used this as a comparison.

"Anyways, in Mater Dei, there are top 4 rankings. The best player currently is the point guard Dennis Howard, and second is either Denzel or Montrel Clarence."

"By the way, what am I doing here? Practice?"

"Haha. No way. You think we spent 500 dollars on you to be here just to practice?"

More like the gas and motel money.

There is only one reason David is taking care of me. If I was to ever go professional, he wants to become my agent. According to American College basketball regulations, an amateur player cannot have an agent.

If you were to have an agent, the player must soon be joining the NBA. That is why David is accompanying me just as an advisor and not an agent.

"In 3 days, College basketball scouts and representatives will be visiting Mater Dei."

"Is that right?"

"Yup. And when they do, West Chester is going have a practice match here."

"Wait, did you just say West Chester?!"

As I grabbed David's shoulder and asked this question, he seemed to be started by my reaction.

"Why? What's wrong with that?"

Although I had no choice but to say nothing, I began to feel a bit motivated. That's right. I'm getting another chance to face that guy, huh?

Although the purpose had changed a bit, the fact that I still wanted to pound his face made my steps a little lighter.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Junmi High school's best players were better than I had thought. Especial Denzel Robinson, who is a short forward like I am, had amazing physical ability. Even when I was just watching him warm up, I could feel myself shrinking in front of him.

What was that last jump?

"Does it shock you?"

"It makes me feel like trash."

"Haha, I don't feel like that's something Korea's best candidate should say!"

I did not feel like I was representing Korea at all.

Only thinking of basketball, my only goal was to get to play in the NBA. That is why I've decided to play in America rather than Korea in the first place. That being said, Korea's best doesn't even seem to be great at all.

["Minkyuk, there are only monsters there."]

One of the best players, Choi Jinsoo told me once of the high standards of American College basketball. Going from the best player in Korea's national team to only the 12th best for UCLA.

As a freshman, he would play 6 minutes and score 1.6 points and receive 1.1 rebounds. By sophomore year, he only played an average of 6.8 minutes. During this time, he couldn't even score one shot.

To think that someone like him was on Korea's national team.

'What have I been doing this whole time?'

Being put in this situation will cause anyone to ask such a radical question.

"(Okay! Now we play as if we were in an open court situation!)"

Standing above the basketball court was Dwayne Casey, who looked comfortable and stern. When he talked to players he appeared to be friendly but, in front of the whole team, he had the charisma that a coach needed.

His coaching strategy was also dramatically different from Korea.

"This is how it usually is here, Minhyuk."

"..."

How do I say this… court balance seemed to be very important here.

"(Very good! One more time!)"

Another difference is how fast paced they are here. Although this may be his personal style, I have to say it was very unique and effective.

But something else stood out even more.

'Are these guys really high schoolers?'

Although I didn't exactly practice with them, they were really tall and really fast.

It seemed like they were practicing open court, but it felt like it took them less than four seconds to reach one end to another. It was also surprising how they would finish a run with an exciting dunk shot.

*SLAM*

"Hey bro?"

"Huh?"

"Who's that guy?"

A guy on the court captured my attention even more than Denzel Robinson.

Although he seemed roughly 190cm, he continuously dunked the ball with ease.

"Clarence Wall. He's also a top player here."

Top 11 shooting guard position in the US. Overall ranking 57th.

"But that's not the real talent of the player."

"Is that right?"

"You'll see when you train with them."

David walks towards Dwayne and begun to say something.

Afterward, Dwayne nodded his head and gathered his players around, pointing his finger towards me. I'm assuming he told them I'd be practicing with them.

"Hey, Kim!"

As Dwayne called me over, I took off my jacket as I run over to the center.

I awkwardly tried to introduce myself. At first, they seem to be cautious, but eventually one of them put their hand out with a friendly look.

"Nice to see you!"

At the same time, one very tall guy came up and embraced me.

"(Good, let's get back to work. David, can you come and translate?)"

"(Of course!)"

As practice began, I walked alongside Dwayne and David.

Looking around, I noticed they were all divided up by 4 hoops, perhaps doing some sort of intense individual exercise. It seemed like Dwayne and David were figuring out where to put me.

"(I want to hear it from the kid himself. So, don't tell me. What is your position?)"

"Dwayne says he wants to hear it from you. He's asking what position you play?"

"(Basically, small forward.)"

This much I can answer in English. That's because I already prepared an answer to this specific question.

"(Hmm… he does seem a bit skinny though. I think I have to see his shooting first.)"

"Well, he thinks you're too skinny and wants to see you shoot."

Too skinny?

Because of what David said I subconsciously touched my forearm. My body was quite hard and, in Korea, I would pass as a muscular guy. However, when I compare it to the guy that gave me a hug, my arm did look pretty average.

Isn't his body so muscular because he's black?

Racial stereotypes can be a scary thing.

"Come here."

Dwayne called me over to the side with his fingers waving in the air. Additionally, in that corner, the dunker Clarence Wall was shooting hoops.

Without height being a factor, the players were divided up into groups. Among them appeared a guy who was around 210cm tall.

What's going on? Is this where the center is?

"What did I tell you? In America, the trends are 3&D's and stretches."

"Whew… there's a lot of stuff to think about. It's not like this in Korea. "

"So, do you want to give up and go back?"

Do I want to go back? Not even in a thousand years.

For the past 2 years, I've been carefully watching international competitions. I've seen people who called themselves legends fall and burn, protecting themselves by blaming it on generic excuses.

At that moment, I realized something.

Living my whole life as a worm's head, I'm going to try to at least become a snake's tail.

"In 3 days, you will get one more chance. If you want to participate in this competition, try to impress Dwayne."

"…"

Alright. I'll try to forget the humiliation I had faced for the past 3 days.

I still haven't gotten the chance to show what I've really got. If it's a 5:5 match, I know I can prove what I'm worth.

No, I have to show what I am worth.