Chapter 8: 1. AUDITION(8)
Santa Ana, CA. Artesia Pilar
Dwayne lived only 10 minutes away from Mater Dei.
Filled with large houses lined up with garages, the Artesia Pilar was very quiet and very peaceful.
While awkwardly accepting Dwayne's family's hospitality, another man that looked similar to Dwayne came forward. After warmly greeting Dwayne's wife, Stacy, he came to me and put his hand out.
"(Say hello, this is Stanley. Stanley Hayburgh.)"
"(Dwayne would not shut up about you on the phone. I was wondering who that was?)"
"…"
Stanley grabbed David's hand, as he explained to me what he was saying.
"(Stanley is the Weber State University coach.)"
Weber State University (WSU) is a mid-level college in Utah and is in the NCAA minor conference. Stanley Hayburgh has been coaching for 3 consecutive years and is said that he is putting together a pretty good team. He was able to scout Damian Lillard, showing that he has the ability to draft good players.
Although WSU is in the NCAA Division 2, Stanley was able to climb to Division 1 with Damian Lillard's help.
"(Their level of play this year isn't bad. 3&D's are always welcome here.)"
"(How's Damian?)"
"(I'm confident about him. I'm sure he's going to get into the top 10.)"
As Dwayne and Stanley conversed on the couch, David translated to me what they were saying.
"So, I heard a WSU player is in the NBA top 10 candidate? "
"Wow, that's incredible. Is that even possible when you're just a minor?"
"Well, it's a big country. But Damian is somewhat of a special case."
Even though the numbers aren't big, every year, there are players that are on the radar of people who are in affiliation with the minor conference and NBA scouts.
In the late 2000's, teams were able to dig up gems more often than in the past. Although talent is still the top priority, it is important to know what sort of talent a player has.
Finding players that are the so-called "specialists" were being found more than ever.
"(From what I heard, he worked out in LA? I've never heard of that before.)"
"(Haha, to be honest, the results weren't that great.)"
"(Hmm, would it be possible to see him play?)"
David pulled out his laptop and played a video of my workout routine.
Stanley was watching with a lot of interest, but as Dwayne's curiosity kicked in, he watched with much more interest. I started to feel awkward for some reason, so I got off the couch and started roaming through the kitchen.
I noticed there were trophies and awards around the house, mostly saying "Athletic" on them.
As I walked towards the stairs that led to the second story, I noticed a girl wearing short shorts and a t-shirt.
"Hi~"
"H-Hi."
I looked toward her bare feet which started to make me feel shy and decided to put my head down.
As I looked down, she swiftly moved like the wind to the kitchen and opened the refrigerator. I continued to gaze at her. She looked very different from Dwayne, but maybe it's his daughter?
"Minhyuk!"
"Uh, yes?"
"What are you doing? Come over here."
"Oh, okay. Gotcha!"
Even as I walked back to the couch, I couldn't take my eyes off the blonde-haired girl.
*BANG*
"Ouch!"
"What's up with you?"
Glancing over at the girl cost me hitting my shin against a table. It hurt so bad I wanted to cry.
"Stanley is interested in admitting you to his team."
"Really?"
"Definitely. But there's a lot of work that needs to be done to make that happen."
David knew everything you need to know about applying for college in the States.
Korea had a concrete testing system called "Soo Neung", the requirements for American colleges are a bit different. Even the SAT, which is America's equivalent, is not absolutely necessary.
But for the most part, college applicants need to take the SAT. On top of that, there's the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) and/or financial certificates that are needed.
"First, they want to see you play against West Chester and see how you do."
"Is that why Stanley is here?"
"Most likely?"
As if he just wondered the same thing, David started exchanging conversation with Stanley.
Seeing how he nodded his head, it seemed like I was right.
"He says yeah."
"(It may not be possible with someone like Dennis or Montrell, but with Simmons he was able to synergize.)"
"Simmons?"
"The kid that was the forward today. You know, the guy that made plays with you a few times?"
"Oh yeah."
Number 88. I think his name was Jay?
"(Dwayne doesn't often recommend players to others. I look forward to it.)"
I don't know if this is what he was expecting, but the reason Dwayne introduced Stanley had to be for some sort of investment. Although they're minor right now, WSU is a Division 1 team which could even debut players on NBA teams.
Thinking of all the exchanges made during the L.A workout, you can really see advancements being made.
"(Very well. Starting tomorrow, he will start official practice with the team. Before that, let's have fun tonight. Sounds good?)"
As Dwayne slapped his knee and got off the couch, I started thinking.
Is it okay for me to be hopeful? I could be rushing the gun. My chances are starting to get slimmer and the match against West Chester is my biggest target.
On that day, I have to pour out everything that I have.
In fact, that day could be my last audition.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
January 13, 2012. Santa Ana, California. West Edinger Avenue. Mater Dei High School.
"Hey, Kim."
"Yes?"
When the Mater Dei players found out I will be temporarily practicing with them, they began to be friendlier with me. Even Dennis, who stomped me last time, treated me with a completely different attitude. Without fail, David continued to translate for me. At first, he didn't seem to be able to find the right words, but I told him to just use the English words when it came to basketball terminology.
That's because I watched countless NBA games through TNT and ESPN. I could understand basketball terms for the most part.
"They say you should work on your screens in the elbow position. And as far as the open court you…"
"Run to the wing? Not to the rim?"
"Yes! (That's because we have to widen the intervals of the opponent's defense. On top of that, you can create opportunities on the outskirts.)"
If Dennis could successfully break through a 2:1, 3:1, or 3:2, I had to run towards the corner 3-point line. Usually, we'd focus on securing the rim area with our numbers advantage and go for the easy goal, but it is completely different here.
Dennis noticed that I had a hard time understanding why and tried to give me some reasons.
"(There are a few reasons here.)"
"…"
Engaging court balance is always a tough situation, even in an open court. The fact that I'm even worried about that in a high school game surprised me.
Through Dennis, I could feel that this is what it meant to be a point guard.
Not only do you simply memorize patterns and steal the ball, but you conduct the team and call the shots. You lead the team and, as it says in the name, you are the point guard.
"(Got it? This is what Nick usually plays.)"
Nick James is Mater Dei's main swingman. Although he switches between #2 and #3, one of Mater Dei's specialties that besides the 2 big men, the rest of them are fairly short.
David says that Dwayne was the coach for Michigan State. He was inspired by Tom Izzo's philosophy.
However, the team was lacking in versatility and Dwayne was hoping I could fill in that gap. This was the biggest reason I was replacing Nick James as the starter in 3 days.
"(Good, now let's try that again.)"
*FWEEE*
"(Break's over! Everyone, gather around!)"
Although many thoughts were in my head, as always, I tried to not think of anything.
I was covered in sweat, but I believed that all this time I invested will eventually pay off. The shorter the training goes by, the lesser I'll have to deal with hard times.
+++++++++++++++++++++++
Santa Ana, California. Artesia Pilar
"…"
Dwayne let David and me stay at his guest room.
To thank Dwayne for helping him save the motel fees, David paid for the pizza bill. Although it honestly was more comfortable for my body here, my mind still felt a bit uncomfortable.
Most importantly, I felt indignant that I had to sleep with David. He snored so loudly that it's almost as if I'm sleeping with my dad.
"…"
So, I grabbed my blanket and decided to sleep on the sofa.
I turned the volume all the way down and watched a rebroadcast of an NBA game that was played earlier. It was a game between Miami Heats and Washington Wizards, watching these guys run just reminded me of how amazing they were.
When I watched these in Korea, they seemed like far-off goals, but now I just watched in awe.
"(Huh? Kim?)"
"(Huh? Oh. So-sorry.)"
Crap, did I wake him up?
Dwayne came to the front entrance as he rubbed his sleepy eyes.
I jumped off the sofa because I was startled but, as if he knew what I was thinking, he said it's okay and walked to the kitchen. He came back with a warm cup of cocoa and gave it to me.
"(Th-thank you.)"
"(Can't sleep? I guess that's understandable.)"
Dwayne carefully poured more milk in the pot and turned on the fire.
He reached into his cupboard and pulled out a hot cocoa powder that I could find even in Korean grocery stores. Seeing such a familiar product far away from home felt a little amazing. But I guess it's normal in America.
"(So, how was today's practice?)"
Is it because it's quiet? Or is it because Dwayne is being considerate?
The words that were coming out of Dwayne's mouth were easy to understand, and the words that were coming out of my mouth were much better compared to the words I was stuttering earlier.
"Was tiring. But I learned a lot."
"(Haha. Oh yeah? I'm a little curious how practice goes in Korea!)"
"Also tiring. But it's always the same."
I lack the ability to express myself well, but I wonder if he was able to understand what I was trying to say.
We don't learn basketball, we learn how to win. They would suppress individuality or personal opinion and encourage their teachings and methods. Of course, we all like basketball, but that won't make us better at it.
With that in mind, Korean basketball practice is always the same but is always tiring. It's tiring but you don't learn anything new unlike here.
"(Hey. How do you say thank you in Korean?)"
"Huh? Oh! It's gam. Sa. Ham. Ni. Da."
"Gamusa. Hamuh. Habeuh. Hammida."
"Hahaha."
Dwayne began to scratch his head and laugh while he stuttered as if he knew how foolish he sounded.
As he took the remote and turned up the volume, Dwayne Wade connected an amazing layup to Lebron James, who powerfully dunked the ball.
"(Have you heard of the show the Decision?)"
"Of course."
"(Haha. That must really be popular.)"
NBA's best player, Lebron James was born and raised in Ohio. He was nominated to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
He grew into an NBA icon, as many people had expected.
However, as his fame and glory days started to slowly fade, through the show "The Decision", he announced his contract as a free agent with Miami Heats. Ohio was left in shock, burned his uniform and began hating Lebron James.
"(I respect the decision he made. But I feel like he went about it in the wrong way.)"
I felt bad, but I had no idea what he was saying anymore.
He said the word respect, so maybe he was saying he respected his decision.
"(Anyway, people probably wanted to ask him. Why on Earth he made that decision. But nobody will ever know. Forever.)"
"…"
"Hey, Kim."
I silently nod my head up and down as Dwayne called my name. I turned my head and look towards him.
"Why are you here?"
"…"
Why am I here? Is he asking why I'm in the living room?
"(I'm sure it's very tiring. The lifestyle here. Sometimes it'll be so bad you'd want to cry. When you go through that ask yourself. Why am I here? If you can figure out the answer to that, it'll make everything a little bit easier. Well then.)"
Dwayne's hand was very masculine as he pats my shoulder.
As he left, I turned down the volume on the TV and buried myself on the sofa. I didn't understand at all what the last conversation was, but I clearly remember him asking why I was here.
Maybe I'll ask David tomorrow.
Once again, Lebron James amazed the crowds as he made a dunk. Someday, I will do the same.
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