Chap10: New step

The Final Four – Syracuse Game

The energy in the arena was wild. Syracuse had two NBA-level talents in Michael Carter-Williams and Jerami Grant, but I'm clearly on another level.

From the start, our defense was locked in. Syracuse ran their famous 2-3 zone, but Asher picked it apart with quick passes, and I bullied them inside.

"You ain't getting buckets today." Jerami Grant trying to provoke me.

"Bet." I tell him."If I try a little it's over."

I caught the ball in the high post, faced up, and attacked Grant. One dribble, spin, up-and-under—bucket. Next play, I hit a mid-range jumper over Carter-Williams.

By halftime, we were up 48-34. And I had 18 points,4 blocks, 6 rebounds already.

Second half? Pure dominance.

Syracuse tried to push, but I shut that down with back-to-back blocks on Grant. Asher controlled the tempo, hitting floaters and dishing dimes. Carter-Williams got frustrated and started forcing shots.

Honestly I expected better from this game.

Final Score: South Carolina 86 - Syracuse 68.

We were heading to the Championship.

-Here we are, April 9, 2013 at 6pm. National Championship - South Carolina vs. Louisville

My last game at College level. For this game my family was there like last year in high school.

Before the game started the Coach said a few words to us.

Coach Brubaker and his final words "Play our game. Move the ball. Defend hard. Take what's ours."

-First Half

Tip-off. Gorgui Dieng won it for Louisville, and right away, Russ Smith came flying down the court, hitting a quick pull-up jumper. Louisville was aggressive early, especially Harrell.

First play for us? I got the ball on the block, one-on-one with Montrezl Harrell.

I just cooked him.

I jab-stepped, spun baseline—bucket.

Next possession, I caught it at the elbow. Harrell played up on me. Big mistake. I blew past him, finishing over Dieng at the rim. 6-2, South Carolina up.

Louisville tried to double me. That's when I started feeding my teammates.

Kicked out to Asher for a wide-open three. Splash.

Found Tyler on a backdoor cut—easy dunk.

Hit Marcus in the corner—another three.

We were rolling. Louisville called timeout. Score: 28-12, South Carolina.

Russ Smith tried to bring them back. He got into the paint, finishing tough layups. Harrell finally got a dunk in transition, but I clapped my hands.

"Do it again when I'm in front of you." You know me I had to say something.

Next time down, Harrell tried backing me down. I held my ground. He turned—swatted his shot into the crowd.

The arena erupted.

By halftime, I had 15 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 blocks.

Halftime Score: South Carolina 41 - Louisville 27.

-Second Half 

Louisville came out aggressive, but we answered every time.

Harrell tried to go at me again. "Nope!". Blocked.

I grabbed the rebound, pushed it up the court, found Marcus cutting—dunk.

"Nah, you wanted this smoke." I tell Harrel.

"Shut up." He said to me, on the verge of wanting to hit me.

With five minutes left, we were up 72-55. I decided to put the game away.

I got the ball at the three-point line. Harrell sagged off—big mistake.

Step-back three. Money.

Next play, Asher and I ran the pick-and-roll to perfection. He lobbed it up, and Tyler posterized Gorgui Dieng. Yes it was for me, but hey the action was clean.

Crowd went INSANE.

Louisville was done.

Final seconds ticking down. I dribbled out the clock.

Final Score: South Carolina 87 - Louisville 71.

National Champions.

The buzzer sounded. The entire team rushed the court.

"We just made history, for our team" Marcus said.

"Since then I told you that we were going to do it" Said Coach Brubaker with a big fucking smile

We cut down the nets, lifted the trophy, and cemented our legacy.

South Carolina – 2013 National Champions.

Later that evening, we all went out to a fancy restaurant in town. The place was buzzing with laughter, toasts, and conversations about our incredible season.

Asher raised his glass. "To the team that brought the first national championship to South Carolina."

Everyone clinked their glasses and took a sip. The mood was light, but deep down, we all knew that after tonight, some of us would be going our separate ways.

"Man, I'm not gonna lie, it's gonna feel weird not playing with you guys next year."Tyler tells us.

"Don't worry, we'll all see each other again—whether it's in the NBA or somewhere else." I answer him.

A brief silence filled the table. Some of us were finishing their studies, for others it was the end, I was going to the draft, and a few were taking different paths altogether.

I looked around the table. This was more than just a team; it was a family. Even if for me it only lasted a year, it was a hell of a year.

The night continued with stories, laughter, and memories from the locker room.

But deep down, I knew this era was coming to an end. And that a new chapter was about to begin.

A few weeks later...

My sister Cee-Cee and I packed up our things and headed back home to Harlem. After the long grind of the season, I finally had some time to breathe, relax, and enjoy being back in my city.

For a little while, it felt good to be Franklin Lincoln, just be chill at home, and not just "Pres," the college star. But I knew the break wouldn't last long.

Because from May 15th to May 19th, I had the NBA Draft Combine at Attack Athletics in Chicago. This was my chance to show the scouts all I can really do.

And after that, there would be team tryouts with franchises potentially interested in drafting me.

This was the most important stretch of my life so far—every workout, every drill, every interview mattered.

I had dominated in college, now it was time to prove that I belonged in the NBA, although I think they already know.

The next chapter of my journey was about to begin.