Chapter 12: Famous or Infamous?
Han Sen jumped off the scorer's table, feeling completely satisfied. Just in that moment, the system's [Hater Points] skyrocketed.
Since he hadn't had a chance to attract negative attention before the game, he decided to create a big opportunity during the match!
After jumping off the table, Han Sen celebrated wildly with his teammates. Theus squeezed in front of him, still visibly excited but trying to keep his emotions in check. He signaled Han to look behind him.
He turned his head, following Theus' gaze, and noticed several half-empty water bottles thrown on the floor behind him.
Being cocky doesn't necessarily bring divine punishment, but it definitely invites a beating.
...
Back in the locker room, Han Sen endured a "shower" from his teammates with those very water bottles.
He had scored 28 points that night, including 9 points in the final moments, single-handedly sealing the victory. He was the team's MVP.
When the celebration ended, Theus appeared in the locker room with someone beside him.
"Han, this is Jamal Khalil, a reporter from ESPN," Theus said as he approached Han.
The other players instinctively made room, their expressions filled with envy and excitement. If Han Sen made it to the NBA, they might benefit from his success in some way.
Han wiped his hands on his pants and stood up to shake hands with Khalil.
"He'd like to do a short interview with you," he added, giving Han Sen a knowing look.
Han nodded, understanding that Theus was creating an opportunity for him.
"Shall we begin?" Khalil asked, pulling out his notebook.
"Can I ask a question first?" Han interjected before the interview started.
"Of course."
"Will this interview make the news?"
Jamal was momentarily taken aback but then nodded.
"That's all I wanted to know," he said, signaling they could begin.
"Before the game, did you think you had a chance of winning?" Khalil asked the first question.
"Of course. I believe we can beat any team, even if it's North Carolina," Han answered casually, with a confident look in his eyes.
Khalil was once again stunned. He glanced over at Theus, who gave a helpless smile. He had the same reaction during the season opener press conference when Han had said something similarly shocking.
He always had a way of saying things that left people astonished.
"What were you thinking when you jumped onto the scorer's table at the end?" Khalil continued.
"That was a mark."
"A mark?" he paused, confused.
"We won a game that no one thought we could. It deserves to be remembered, so it needed a mark."
Khalil was surprised yet again. His responses were always so unique.
But he nodded in agreement. The game had been exciting and newsworthy, and his report would surely attract attention.
However, in this fast-paced information era, it wouldn't be long before the game was forgotten.
But now, with the image of Han Sen jumping on the scorer's table, the situation would be different.
It was such a unique moment that people would still talk about it long after.
Indeed, it was the perfect mark.
Caril drew two circles around the word "mark," then smiled at Han Sen. "One last question: what do you think is your biggest advantage in pursuing the NBA?"
"My ability to learn."
"Your ability to learn?" Khalil raised an eyebrow, surprised again.
"Yes. Before entering the NCAA, I wasn't known for my three-point shooting. But now I'm the top shooter in the league. My natural talent might not be the best, but my learning ability will allow me to achieve anything in the future."
He smiled, jotting down the answer, then closed his notebook and shook Han Sen's hand.
"Han, why was the interview so short?" Rondo teased after Khalil and Theus left.
He had only been asked three questions.
"He's a good reporter," Han Sen replied, looking toward the door.
"Didn't seem that way to me. He looked stunned by everything you said," Rondo commented dismissively.
Han Sen just smiled and stood up. "I heard the chicken wings in East Lansing are great. Tonight, I'm treating everyone to a late-night snack."
The locker room erupted in cheers at the news of his treat.
...
The news of Barry University defeating Michigan State made the headlines the next day.
An ESPN article titled "Claiming He Can Beat North Carolina: How Unknown Barry University Defeated Michigan State" featured a front-page image of Han Sen standing atop the scorer's table, drawing a lot of attention.
The core of the article wasn't the game itself but focused on Han Sen.
"I believe we can beat any team, even North Carolina," the article opened with Han Sen's bold statement from the interview, recounting how he took control of the game, made the clutch shot, and celebrated by jumping on the scorer's table. Combined with the post-game interview, the article concluded:
"Han Sen could be the next NCAA Division II player to make it to the NBA in the past decade."
The article was short, just like the interview, but it packed a punch.
Just as Han Sen had said, Khalil was a top-tier journalist.
Soon after, someone dug up the TNT program where Han Sen had claimed to be the NCAA's top shooter during an episode of NBA Entertainment.
It wasn't hard to connect the dots, considering the show had only aired recently.
And just like that, Han Sen "accidentally" became famous.
The stereotype of Asians being humble and reserved was prevalent— for instance, Yi Jianlian fit the mold perfectly, and even Yao Ming was often associated with this trait.
But Han Sen? He bragged on social media about being the NCAA's best shooter, jumped on the scorer's table after winning, and boldly claimed he could beat North Carolina. He was arrogant and flashy.
That's right, it was the contrast.
This contrast was even more important than Han Sen's actual achievements. In the information age, contrast was a key element of viral content.
Then there was the buzz.
A Division II team beating a top-five Division I team? This was the epitome of basketball 'hype'.
Plus, Khalil's assertion that Han Sen could be the next Division II player to make it to the NBA in a decade.
And let's not forget that Theus was the former head coach of the NBA's Sacramento Kings.
All these factors combined meant that not only Han Sen but Barry University as a whole was receiving massive attention.
This outcome was exactly what Han Sen wanted.
Getting a lot of attention was crucial for a Division II player like him.
And then there was the [Hater Points].
For every person who liked him, there would be just as many who hated him.
It wasn't just the Michigan State fans that he had angered by jumping on their scorer's table. The North Carolina fans surely couldn't tolerate his bold statement about beating their team.
Especially after the media blew it up, it was like using a giant megaphone to broadcast his words.
So now, his social media was buzzing with activity. His follower count was skyrocketing, and the haters were multiplying exponentially.
He needed 10,000 Anti-fan Points to unlock the lottery, and after this wave, he was already up to 8,000!
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
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