Prologue

National Basketball Association (NBA) Rookie Season

The thump from the bass of "Seven Nation Army" by The White Stripes reverberated through the room as the announcer said, "And now for the starting lineup of your Sable Falls Leopards…"

It was my first game as the starting forward for the Leopards. I"d played basketball since I was eight years old. I"d played on school teams, traveling teams, and a championship Division One team. Nothing prepared me for the overwhelming feeling of sitting in the chair and waiting for the announcer to call my name. My name had been called in elementary school, middle school, high school and college; still, nothing felt like waiting for my name to be called at my first NBA game.

As I surveyed the court, the figures before me transformed from the larger-than-life heroes of my childhood into tangible rivals. Each one exuded a quiet confidence that was both awe-inspiring and intimidating. Amid the roar of the crowd and the thumping bass, a quieter, more insidious voice whispered doubts in the back of my mind. Could I measure up to these legends I had once idolized? The weight of my own expectations, mixed with raw admiration, created a cocktail of nerves and excitement that threatened to overwhelm me. Yet, as I clenched my fists and steadied my breath, I realized this was no longer just about playing against my idols—it was about proving to myself, with every fiber of my being, that I belonged here.

"And at seven feet tall, wearing number thirty-four, from Joren Hensley University…playing center…the Z-Force, Zechariah Aldaine."

Jumping up from my seat, I ran to meet my starting teammates while slapping high-fives along the way.

"Kid, you ready for this?" Sterling Albright, the power forward and captain of the team, asked.

My stomach bubbled, my fingers tingled, my mind was racing, and my heart felt like it would beat out of my chest. Despite all of that, I answered, "Yeah, I"m ready."

There I was, at the jump ball, standing right across from Rico "Blaze" Barnett. Man, Rico was on my personal Mount Rushmore of NBA greats. Remembering how he zigzagged through defenders with the ball glued to his fingertips was one thing, but facing him? That was something else. He was not just someone I looked up to anymore; he was the guy I had to beat.

As the ref threw the ball up, I jumped, tapped the ball to my teammate, and managed to sneak it past Rico. "Uh oh, gotta be quicker than that," I joked, throwing him a wink as I dashed by.

"Bet," Rico shot back. "I"ll see you in a lil" bit."

As I ran down the court, the crowd's roars mixed with my pounding heart, created a wild soundtrack to my first play in the NBA. Right then, I wasn't just some fanboy in awe; I was in the game, making my mark among the giants.

The game had been intense from the very beginning, with the score neck and neck. With each passing minute, the pressure mounted, and I could feel it building up inside me. I had to prove myself, not only to my teammates but to myself. I had to prove that I worked hard to be here, that I deserved to be drafted in the first round and that I was talented enough to be on the court with all of them.

Then, it happened. A fast break by the opposing team left me isolated, trying to defend the paint. In a flash, the ball was passed to Rico. He came charging down the lane, his eyes locked onto the basket like a heat-seeking missile.

Everything slowed down for a second. It was more than just deciding whether to go for the block or not—it felt like my whole NBA future was on the line. Was I going to step up or shrink back? That ball wasn't just coming at me; it felt like a whole challenge was barreling my way. Jumping up to meet it, I wasn't just trying to stop Rico—I was planting my flag, showing I wasn't just another rookie to overlook. It was my big ‘I'm here' moment.

I leaped into the air; my arm extended to block the shot. But it was too late. With a burst of athleticism that defied gravity, Rico elevated above me, his colossal hand palming the basketball. Time seemed to slow as he threw down a monstrous dunk that rattled the rim, the crowd erupted in awe.

As I lay sprawled on the court, Rico stood over me, his chest heaving with exertion. He looked down, a cocky smile formed on his face, and said, "I told you I would see you in a lil" bit. Welcome to the NBA, rookie."

Though I was on the receiving end of that thunderous dunk, I couldn"t help but smile back. It was a moment of initiation, a rite of passage. In those words, "Welcome to the NBA," I felt a sense of belonging, a reminder that I had made it to the big league. From that moment on, I knew I was a part of something greater than myself, and the journey had only just begun.

* * *

The tensionin the arena was palpable, filling every corner with an intense energy. Our team had played the regular season with grit and determination. We fought past three tough teams in the playoffs to win the Eastern Conference championship. On top of our team's success during the regular season, I was honored to be named "Rookie of the Year."

Now, it was the last game of the NBA Finals. Against all odds, we had pushed the series to a decisive game seven. Most sports analysts didn"t think we"d make it this far, but we weren"t ready to surrender. We never thought about giving up. The scoreboard reflected the intensity of the contest; neither team had managed to pull ahead significantly, with just a few minutes left to play. This moment was the culmination of our season"s hard-fought battles, a true sign of our spirit and teamwork that propelled us further than anyone imagined.

As I stood there on the court, my chest heaving with every breath, I could feel the weight of the moment. In a game filled with dramatic twists and turns, everything now seemed to hinge on the next few plays. My teammates looked at me, their eyes filled with a mix of determination and trust.

The ball was in our possession, and as we passed it around the perimeter, the clock ticked away. The opposing defense was relentless, contesting every shot and closing down every driving lane. We needed something extraordinary, something unexpected. And that"s when I made my move.

I received a pass just beyond the three-point line. My defender was only a step away, but that was all I needed. I squared up, the leather ball gripped firmly in my hands. In that moment, the deafening roars of the crowd, the pounding of my heart, the sweat trickling down my temple—all of it faded into the background. With a quick jab step, I created just enough space, and then I launched the three-pointer. The ball arced gracefully into the air, tracing a perfect arc before descending toward the hoop. Time seemed to stand still as it hovered in mid-air.

The crowd"s collective breath held, and then, with a swish, the ball passed through the net. The arena erupted in a deafening mixture of cheers and applause. My teammates went crazy, showering me with praise and hugs, proving that we had each other's backs.

Turning to the scoreboard, I saw that we were now in the lead. The final seconds were agonizing as we focused all our efforts on defense, determined to hold our ground. The buzzer finally sounded, and the scoreboard confirmed our improbable victory: We were NBA champions.

As confetti rained down and the crowd chanted our names, the joy and pride of achieving the impossible overwhelmed me. We had defied the odds, and in that moment, we were not just a team but champions, forever bound by the memories of a game-winning three-pointer in the final minutes of a thrilling game seven.

* * *

As Lavender Hayes"voice rang out, "Welcome back, everyone!" the buzzing anticipation backstage seemed to crescendo. With each passing moment, my heart quickened its pace, matching the growing anticipation.

"Today, we have a very special guest," Lavender continued, her tone charging the air with excitement. Standing in the shadows just offstage, I straightened my jacket as she announced, "Fresh off the court from clinching the NBA Championship with the Sable Falls Leopards and recently crowned as the NBA"s Rookie of the Year—please give a warm welcome to the sensational center, Zec Aldaine!"

The applause that followed felt like a physical wave, pushing me towards the bright lights of the stage. I stepped out, waving to the crowd, as Lavender, ever the charismatic host in her sharply tailored suit, gestured gracefully towards the seat next to her.

"Zec, congratulations on an incredible season! How does it feel to achieve so much success in your rookie year and top it off with an NBA championship?" Lavender asked.

"It feels great. The entire season, we fought hard to get to the top. No one made it easy for us, but we prevailed. The feeling of holding the NBA Championship trophy is indescribable. It"s a mix of joy, relief, and a sense of accomplishment that I can"t put into words," I answered, trying to convey the depth of my emotions.

The audience responded with another warm wave of applause.

A wave of nerves washed over me as I leaned in to sip the water from the purple coffee mug. Sitting down one-on-one with someone was more intimate and a little more daunting than the impersonal post-game conferences. My publicist had given me some talking points to prepare me for my first daytime talk show appearance.

"Transitioning from college basketball to the NBA is no small feat. What were some of the biggest challenges you faced this year, and how did you overcome them?" Lavender asked.

"One of the biggest transitions was going from fan to foe. I played games against my heroes this season. Watching them dunk and outplay people on TV is way different when you"re the one they"re doing all those things to." I replied and chuckled.

"Oh, I bet," Lavender said. "Were they all what you thought they would be?"

"No, they are all bigger, faster, fiercer, and more competitive. They are also some of the nicest people you ever want to meet," I answered.

"I"ve seen pictures of you with your parents. You have siblings, correct?"

"Yes, I have an older brother and two younger sisters. I have five cousins who are also like my siblings."

"How has your family influenced your journey in basketball?"

"My family is the best. They all have encouraged me to be my best while keeping me grounded. My family lives in Sable Falls, so when I go home on Sundays for dinner, I"m not the Z-Force to them. I"m just Zec."

"So you"re at home washing dishes…" Lavender began.

"And cutting grass or whatever else my parents tell me to do," I replied.

Everyone laughed.

"But my dad has taught me how to manage my money. I have a strict budget that allows me to save and invest, but also enjoy life and spoil my family."

"That"s amazing. So often you hear about new millionaires spending their money on foolish things, and the next thing you know, they don"t have anything."

"Yeah, they don"t have Leon Aldaine as a father."

"All the ladies are sitting on the edge of their seats waiting for me to ask this question: are you single, Zec?"

"I am single," I said and smiled. "Basketball is my main focus right now, but I believe in finding a balance in life," I shared.

The women in the audience cheered.

"And are you looking for a mate?" Lavender asked.

"I mean," I smiled, "I could be," I answered with a shrug.

"What are you doing to prepare for next season? You know everyone will be coming for you and that trophy," Lavender said.

"I"m in the gym eight hours a day. I"m running drills, doing cardio, lifting weights and working with coaches. I"m at the beginning of my career, and it"s only going to get better from here. I have to keep striving for better. My high school coach used to always say, Keep moving forward—don"t get stuck on your wins or your losses. He said celebrate and move forward. There is always more to achieve. That"s my goal for my career."

Lavender and her staff did a great job of making me feel comfortable. I had a good time at the interview and even made a few connections.

Life had changed so much in such a short amount of time. As I walked off the set, the cheers still echoing in my ears, I couldn"t help but reflect on the whirlwind of my recent days. Living my childhood dream was more complex and demanding than I had ever imagined. There were moments of pure exhilaration, like today, and times of overwhelming pressure that no one saw.

Sitting in the backseat of the limo, I watched the city blur past, a physical reminder of how fast my life was moving. Was I ready for all this change? Could I maintain my sense of self in this new reality?

Despite the doubts, a deep, unyielding part of me knew I was exactly where I was meant to be. The joy of the game, the support of my family, and the new opportunities to make a difference were profound. I smiled to myself, a sense of gratitude washing over me. I was just Zec to my family, and that grounding was my greatest strength. As long as I held onto that, I knew I could navigate whatever came next.