Chap4: The Next Step

The celebrations from the state championship were still fresh in my mind, but life didn't stop. I had a bigger goal ahead, one that was always lingering in the back of my mind. College basketball.

I took a moment to reflect. My season had been nothing short of incredible honestly, even though I didn't play every single game, because I wasn't in this body before. I averaged 23.2 points, 9.7 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.9 blocks, and 1.3 steals per game.

Being one of the best players in the country at my age, many universities would like me to join their program. I need to think about it seriously, knowing that I already know Jackson is going to UCLA. I don't want to end up on the same team as him.

Later in the day at the Lincolns'...

The family is celebrating my victory with a nice meal. A few neighbors came by to congratulate me and told me the whole neighborhood is really behind me.

The next day, my dad and mom came into my sister's and my room to talk to me about going to College.

"Son, do you already know where you're going?"

"Nah, mom, I don't know yet. There are so many options, I don't even know where to start."

"Frank, choose a school that continues to support and provide a good education for its students, because you never know what could happen—you could get injured or who knows what," Pete tells me.

"Yeah, I see what you mean father. I was already planning to do that."

"Make a good choice, bro, because wherever you go, I'm going to have to follow you to keep the snakes away from you," my twin says to me. The family starts laughing.

A few weeks have passed since the previous events.

During this time, I had the opportunity to visit several universities, Arizona, Georgetown, Kansas, Louisville, Michigan, Texas, UCONN, USC, Villanova and some others, see their facilities, and meet with the coaches. Each visit gave me a clearer picture of what each program had to offer, both in terms of academics and athletics. I also got a feel for the environment, the culture of the teams, and how they approach player development.

The coaches were all incredibly welcoming, each trying to convince me that their program would be the best fit for my future. I was able to ask questions about their training schedules, academic support, and what kind of opportunities they provide for players both on and off the court. I also spent some time talking with current players to get an insider's perspective on what it's really like to be part of the team.

The decision hasn't been easy, but after all the visits and conversations, I'm now ready to make my choice. I feel confident that the university I choose will not only help me grow as a player but also provide a strong foundation for my future beyond basketball.

"Yo, Vic, the camera's good, it's filming?"

"Of course it's good, I'm the one handling it from behind, you can start."

"Okay, hello everyone, it's Franklin Lincoln, or Pres if you prefer, with my family by my side. I'm here today to make an important announcement. After a lot of thought, countless discussions, and a lot of reflection, I've made my decision about which program I'll be joining for my college journey.

This isn't just about basketball; it's about the future, the opportunities, and the people I'll be surrounded by. Over the past few weeks, I've visited several amazing universities, met some incredible coaches, and talked to players who have shown me what each program has to offer, both on and off the court.

But in the end, this decision goes beyond just choosing a school for sports. It's about picking a place where I can grow as a person, as a player, and where I'll have the support to reach my fullest potential. I want to show my impact on a team. So after all the visits and all the talks, I'm proud to announce that I've chosen to join..."

I pull out a cap and a jersey.

"The University of South Carolina." I know they're not really that good, but they're in the SEC conference, so if I manage to do something with them, that would be pretty great.

"South Carolina, baby! They have beaches there, right?" Vic says from behind the camera.

"Anyway, that's all, thanks for watching, cut it, Vic."

My parents are talking about how proud they are, and my twin is teasing me, saying she's ready to rep the team colors. It's one of those moments where you realize how lucky you are.

Shortly after...

I made my way to South Carolina, to the campus, where I'll be staying for at least a year.

And you know what's funny?

When I settled into the campus, I went to an orientation party, and I saw two people I know. The first one was Yvette from NBA 2K16, and the second one was Alanah, the girl from NBA 2K17. I'm not gonna lie, it made me laugh but I didn't pay much attention to it, because as of today, we don't really know each other.

And to be honest, up until now, I hadn't really thought about women seriously. With my newfound notoriety, I've got to be a bit more careful with the choices I make.

But hey, that's not the most important thing. I need to stay completely focused on basketball, and the rest will fall into place when it happens.

Later in the evening...

I spent some time with my teammates. We all tried to get to know each other a little better, just to build some chemistry. It wasn't just about basketball; we were talking about everything—where we came from, what drives us, and what we each bring to the team. We're all new to this, coming from different backgrounds, and it's important to make sure we're not just connected on the court but off it too.

We shared stories, joked around, and bonded over common interests.

"Yo, where are you from, man?" one of the guys, Tyler asked, leaning back in his chair.

"New York," I said with a grin. "Big city vibes, you know? And you?"

"I'm from Texas, man. Everything's bigger there" Tyler laughed, nudging me with his elbow.

It was cool to see how different everyone was, but how we all had that same drive to succeed.

We all cracked up, and that broke the ice even more. Another teammate, Marcus, chimed in. "So, what made you pick South Carolina? I heard you had other offers."

I smiled, glancing around at everyone. "Honestly, it's about the team and the potential here. I think we're gonna do something special this season."

I could tell that the more we spent time together, the stronger our bond was going to be. On the court, that's what makes the difference—the trust, the understanding, the chemistry.

By the end of the night, I felt like we were all a little closer, and I knew that was just the beginning of something special. The team is more than just a group of players and that's how we'll win, together.