3. FIRST STEP(6)

April 11, 2012. Ogden, Utah. Harrison Blvd. Weber State University.

"Friendly match?"

"Oh, have I not told you yet?"

As the morning practices concluded, Leon and I headed to the library. I needed to return the books I had borrowed already to pick up some new ones.

On our way there, Leon informed me of the upcoming friendly match against the Portland State University.

PSU was part of the "Big Sky Conference" along with us, but every April, we would play matches back and forth.

"It's our turn to go to Portland. Since there aren't any special rules, I believe you're coming too?"

Leon also told me that this would be the last game Lillard would be playing with a WSU jersey on. Although he'll still be practicing with the team, starting in May, he was going to be preparing for the NBA draft.

Leon also told me that there will be multiple NBA scouts watching the game against PSU.

"There are also 3 graduating players in PSU. They would be lucky to be drafted, but it's still a fairly big game for them. So, it's going to be a pretty competitive game."

"Really? Haha. I guess I'll be warming the bench then."

"You think so? Last year, everyone who went with us played. Since it's a friendly match it didn't matter."

Since we would be traveling quite far, Leon said it would make sense if everyone going would play. He also said this game would be a good opportunity for me to test how much I've improved so far.

It's only been a few days since I've been working on improving myself.

"Look, my friend. You've been working extremely hard."

"Haha. Well, I do have to survive."

Ever since I came to the States, I didn't go on any Korean websites or community forums. There may not be anything about me, but I just wanted to be safe.

All the criticism and ridicule I received when I left now turned into ambition.

It would be a lie, though, to say that I didn't feel burdened.

"I don't understand why you have to keep running as if you're being chased."

On our way to the library, Leon walked toward the direction of his classroom. I was left alone as I walked down the hallway that I've become familiar with and lifted my head up.

In April, Utah skies were blue and clear. As the cold winter-season air passed, the plants and trees were coming to life. I've never seen this in Korea but, wherever you look, you can see big trees here.

There were girls and their friends chatting while sitting in the shade. I was slightly envious of the comfortable atmosphere they were in.

"By the way, he said PSU, right?"

I wasn't sure if I was going to go with the team on this trip, but at least I knew what books I needed to get from the library.

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

Ogden, Utah. Central Campus Drive. Weber State University, Stewart Library.

Although PSU's season record was 17 wins with 15 losses this year, their overall ranking was in the top 3. Although they weren't a strong team overall, Ime Udoka, who played for the Lakers, New York and the Spurs was a PSU alumnus.

Although he was part of the 2000 draft, he wasn't nominated by any teams. So he played for an overseas league and played to the level of an NBA player, however, did not receive any recognition.

Currently, Ime Udoka was playing in Spain, for UCAM (Universidad Católica San Antonio de Murcia).

But this wasn't the important part.

*Flip*

"…"

Just as Leon said, there were 3 PSU graduates who participated in the NBA draft.

6'0" Charles Odum, 6'5" Charles Tapscott, 6'10" Nate Lozeau.

As I looked at their season records and stats, I noticed that Odum and Tapscott were mainly offensive players. Especially Tapscott, although being shorter, took 9.3 rebounds and took 1st place on his team. Is he an undersized big-man?

*Flip* It seemed so.

As I turned the page, I noticed from the shooting graph that most of his focus was under the hoop. There were shots from the outer parts but his aggressive plays were mainly under the rim.

The players who were in the outskirts included Odum. If you think about it, their team composition was very similar to traditional basketball. They did seem to be lacking, considering the size of the big-man, or not having a very versatile swing-man.

Although stats don't mean everything, you can approximate a player's impact on the court through these numbers.

"Are there any videos of matches?"

As I was talking under my breath, someone tapped my shoulder.

"Hi. You must be alone again?"

"Ah, yeah. Uh, hello!"

When I turned my head, I felt my body stiffen up. It was Heather, who was passing by and stopped to say hello. I felt stupid because I couldn't figure out what words to use to say hello.

Ah, shit.

"What are you looking at? Basketball?"

"Huh? Oh, this. Erm. We have a game coming up this weekend."

"I heard. PSU, right? We lost last year. It would be nice if we won this year? Haha. Well, see you later."

"…"

I guess it's time to accept the truth.

I've completely fallen for Heather and I want to get to know her better. Should I ask Anna to help me out?

*BZZZZZT*

"Huh?"

But Sally crushed my hopes.

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

"What?"

"Can you change my lightbulb? I can't reach it. Hehe."

"…"

Ogden, Utah. Kingston Drive.

I was left speechless. I ran over as fast as I could because it sounded like an emergency, but she just wanted me to change out her lightbulb.

At least, if there were taxis like there are in Korea, I wouldn't feel this tired.

"Why me?"

"Because… you're the tallest?"

I was going to ask why she couldn't just use a chair, but I gave up. If I did, she would be upset and wouldn't let it go all day long.

So I just let out a big sigh and took the bulb from Sally's hand.

"Next time call someone who's closer. Do you know how bothersome it is to go back to school from here?"

"I'll take you then."

"*Sigh* That's not the problem."

"Then what's the problem?"

The fact that we're in this situation alone was quite funny. Because I was getting all upset by myself. It felt as if I was a middle schooler dating a girl.

Fighting over something that's trivial or getting upset over nothing. Middle schoolers were like that.

"If it's dark, I can't shower because it's scary. Thank you."

Sally told me to wait for her, so she could take me back. So, I sat on the sofa and waited for her for 10 minutes. Since I was a bit tired, I figured I might as well turn on the TV and relax for a bit.

ESPN was rebroadcasting last night's game between the Nuggets and Spurs.

*Click*

"Huh?"

While watching TV, I heard a voice coming from the front entrance, so I turned my head.

It was Stanley.

"Huh? What are you doing here?"

"Haha. Ask Sally."

As I showed Stanley the dead lightbulb that was sitting in the corner, he just stared at it and let out a long sigh.

"Seems like Sally got you. I bet she told you she was scared because the light went out?"

"Yep. Can you believe it?"

"But she isn't lying. Could you move over for a minute?"

Stanley went to the fridge and pulled out two drinks. He handed me one and sat on the sofa. As he chugged his drink, he seemed to feel much better.

"Sally was 4 years old? She was playing with her parents and hid in the attic. But the lights suddenly went out."

"She cried?"

"Not only did she cry. She was a big mess. To make it worse, her parents were looking for her on the first floor. Only after about 10 minutes did they go to the second story and realize she was stuck in the attic. She was in so much shock, she had to be taken to the emergency room."

She couldn't stop crying, so they had no choice.

When he rushed to the hospital, Stanley found her parents crying on the hallway floors. He was just a friendly college-student neighbor at the time, but he was shocked too.

"We never blamed her. It was a given. But ever since then, she was always like that. She can sleep alone, but she always keeps her light on. Or at least the TV."

"It seems like she was traumatized."

"That's right. But Sally is a very strong girl. That's why we believe in her so much."

*Click*

"Whew. Oh. Dad?"

As Sally came out drying her hair, she looked different compared to what I was used to seeing.

Maybe it was because she had no makeup on, but the girl who looked so tough now looked like the girl from the picture on her cellphone. She seemed to be happy to see Stanley because her bright smile made her look prettier than usual.

"You should've called dad. Why did you call Minhyuk?"

As Sally gave him a kiss, he asked her that question. As he asked her, she ran up to her room without giving an answer.

"I'll take Minhyuk!"

"Okay!"

I've always felt this way, but Sally always acted differently in front of Stanley.

I decided to use this fact to my advantage from now on.

"Anyways, Earl tells me. He says you stay at the court until 10 P.M.?"

"Huh? Oh, yeah. Will that be a problem?"

"Haha. I do worry that you'll be too tired. It seems like you're working out on Sundays, but it's very important to take a rest day."

"I'm just not used to that."

Should I just call it a habit?

If I were to stay in Korea, I'd probably be in the middle of a tournament. Whether it's high school or middle school, we'd be in the middle of the school year, which means there were matches.

Since I grew up with that sort of pattern, I couldn't help it.

Oh yeah, that's right.

"So, I've heard there's a match against PSU?"

"Yeah, that's right. Where is my mind? Did you hear from Colin?"

"No, I heard from Leon."

Stanley had been busy taking care of the last steps for recruiting. Most of the practices were conducted by Colin since Stanley was busy traveling to make sure no one would hijack his recruits.

Last year, a player named Malcome Bradley was stolen from WSU by Jacksonville. Even if someone chose what college they want to go to, nothing was set in stone until you officially went through entrance procedures.

"I was planning on telling you tomorrow, but yeah. You'll probably go too."

"Really???"

"Haha. That's right. We're planning to have you run around 5 to 10 minutes."

It wasn't a very long time, but for me, it was more than enough.

Even if it were one minute, the fact that I was going to play at an NCAA-leveled game was a big opportunity for me. I was curious if it would be good for me, or if I would frustrate myself.

"Why would you frustrate yourself?"

As I explained myself to Stanley, he seemed to find it funny.

"Yeah. Ever since I came to the States, I think I've gotten used to it, since it happens quite often. But I did realize one thing. Through frustrating situations, I learn something every time. That's the important part for me."

"Huh."

Stanley had a smile on his face as he finished off his drink. So, I turned my head back towards the TV.

As Kenneth Faried slammed a magnificent dunk in an open court situation, Tony Parker of the Spurs immediately drove the ball down and shot a floater. I'm sure Parker said something like this after that play.

["They're both 2 points, buddy."]

Eh, maybe not quite?

I suddenly remembered a slam dunk scenario in my head.