Chapter 40: The End, Yet a Beginning
**
"MVP!"
"MVP!"
"MVP!"
The thunderous chant echoed through the entire arena.
### **A Silence Like Never Before**
In the stands, the once-boisterous Super Dome fell into a deafening silence, save for the small section of North Carolina Wolves fans cheering wildly.
The majority of Kansas Jayhawks supporters sat stunned, their faces betraying disbelief. The game was over! Their beloved team had lost.
Many fans sat frozen in their seats, unable to accept the harsh reality.
Amid this sea of desolation, some couldn't help but feel captivated.
John sat stiffly next to Randy Finley, who wore an expression of deep regret, his face marked by bitterness and frustration.
Caught in the grip of self-reproach, Finley muttered, "John, do you think we still have a chance?"
John managed a faint, wry smile, unsure how to answer.
---
### **On the Court: A Celebration**
From the Wolves' bench, the substitutes stormed onto the court, rushing toward Wang Song. They lifted him off the ground, ready to pile on top of him in celebration.
"Wait, you maniacs, stop! Don't crush him!" Julius Hodge, laughing yet cautious, kept the frenzy under control, worried that the slender Asian star might get hurt.
Instead, the team opted for another form of celebration—hoisting Wang Song into the air repeatedly, giving him a momentary sense of weightlessness.
On the sidelines, tears glistened in the eyes of the coaching staff. Herb Sendek, usually composed, could no longer hold back his emotions.
As Jim embraced him, tears streamed down Sendek's face like pearls slipping from a broken necklace.
This might very well be the first—and only—time he and his small, unheralded team stood on college basketball's grandest stage, lifting the NCAA championship trophy.
---
### **A Nation Rejoices**
Back home in China, the fans were ecstatic.
At Xinhu Sports, the online platform's servers struggled to keep up with the flood of viewers, despite preparations for the massive traffic spike. Brief interruptions in the livestream were swiftly addressed.
Inside the broadcasting studio, Bai Yang, the host, felt a swell of pride as he watched the Wolves celebrate on screen. For a moment, he forgot he was live, his gaze fixated on Wang Song, now the center of attention.
After a brief pause, he snapped out of his reverie.
"Ahem! My apologies, everyone. Words can hardly capture how I feel right now."
"Let's all flood the screen with 'NCAA's First Chinese MVP, Wang Song!' to celebrate his championship victory and the Wolves' first title of the 21st century."
The chat exploded with messages, the screen flooded with congratulatory texts.
Watching the endless stream of 99+ notifications gave Bai Yang an immense sense of achievement. Who would have thought that just weeks ago, this college basketball sensation was virtually unknown?
The success of Xinhu Sports and the rise of Wang Song seemed intertwined.
Bai Yang, who had always focused more on the NBA, found a new appreciation for NCAA basketball after witnessing these games.
The adrenaline rush, the raw energy of these 20-something athletes chasing glory—it was truly captivating.
---
### **Fans Speculate Wang Song's Future**
As the dust settled, fans couldn't help but speculate about Wang Song's next steps.
**—"Elite teams are nothing against the Great King! 27 points, 15 rebounds, 6 blocks, and 7 assists—he practically butchered the Jayhawks."**
**—"Fun fact: The Kansas Jayhawks have been Final Four contenders for three straight years, and besides Wang Song, two or three of their players are projected All-American First Team members this season."**
**—"Doesn't matter how strong they were—losing makes them nothing more than Wang Song's backdrop. Pick a fight with him, and you'll lose your stock value!"**
**—"Right? Jayhawks' players' draft stock probably just plummeted. Scouts were everywhere in the Super Dome tonight; those Kansas stars might drop 5-10 spots."**
**—"It's not their fault. They ran into Wang Song—a force no one can stop. I bet he should turn off his phone tonight to get some sleep."**
**—"What's next for Wang Song? Straight to the NBA, right? No point wasting time in the NCAA anymore. He's only 19; he could start a dynasty with the right team!"**
**—"Yeah, sure, but don't forget LeBron James is the top pick this year—Akron's chosen one, skipping college entirely. Wang Song should aim for a top-five pick and work his way up."**
---
### **Post-Game Press Conference**
The post-game press conference was packed, the media turnout far surpassing that of the semifinals.
Reporters crowded around Herb Sendek and Wang Song, some even standing due to a lack of seating. No one minded—their subjects were the NCAA's MOP (Most Outstanding Player) and the championship-winning coach.
After fielding several questions, Sendek tactfully ceded the spotlight to Wang Song, recognizing that the star player's voice was what everyone truly wanted to hear.
Wang Song, participating in his first post-game press conference, spoke calmly:
"I'm incredibly grateful to the North Carolina Wolves' staff, coaches, and my teammates. Without them, I wouldn't be sitting here today."
"As for entering the NBA draft this year, it wasn't something I'd seriously considered before. But after today's game, I've realized that I need to challenge myself on a higher stage to grow further."
"Draft position? That's not my priority. What matters most to me is the team and its environment."
"Regarding whether I'll need to bulk up for the NBA, that's something I'll carefully evaluate. My focus is on adapting to the team's plans rather than blindly gaining weight."
---
With these words, Wang Song set the stage for what was sure to be a bright and exciting future in professional basketball.
Check out my P@treon for advance chapter on p@treon.com/Twilight_scribe1
*(To be continued)*