Basketball System: Rebound of the Underdog-Chapter 594: On The Big Screen

Park Jinwoo.

Growing up attractive, he had an aura of confidence that neared arrogance. However, he suppressed that, of course, wanting to present himself as a handsome but relatable guy.

Standing at 6'3", with a sharp jawline, well-groomed hair, and a natural charisma that made cameras gravitate toward him, he was every bit the star player of the University of South Korea (USK).

USK was the pinnacle of collegiate basketball in South Korea, producing athletes who often transitioned directly to professional leagues.

Jinwoo had earned his spot on the national team after a stellar performance during his first year in the collegiate league. He was recruited to become a part of the Global Games line-up since then, even if he hasn't graduated yet.

His LikLok account, boasting over 300,000 followers, mostly showed his routine as a national player, and of course, how could he miss the opportunity to do thirst traps? With a face and body like his, it would be a shame not to lick your tongue and do a subtle body roll to a weirdly remixed sexy song.

This has definitely kept fans entertained, but the critics rolling their eyes.

Many thought he leaned too heavily into the celebrity aspect of his persona, but no one could deny his talent. He was fast, sharp, and precise. Most of the time, his skills on the court often silenced even the harshest detractors.

On the other hand, Kai Guo had a different kind of presence. His rise to fame began just last year when he became a fan favorite through funny video compilations and unusual gameplay.

During the Nationals, his reputation grew within the local basketball scene, but if you asked Max, it was the opening ceremony of the Global Games that had catapulted him to international attention.

Unlike Jinwoo, Kai didn't post thirst traps or bask in the limelight. He didn't even have a LikLok account! Well, it wasn't like he knew how to use it anyway.

The irony, though, was that while Jinwoo had been keeping tabs on Kai, eager to prove himself superior, Kai was entirely oblivious to Jinwoo's existence.

It didn't take a genius to notice, however, that Jinwoo was more focused on Kai, his eyes constantly darting toward the Chinese bench.

Kai, meanwhile, leaned back on the bench, watching the court as Coach Xu Wei outlined their strategy on the whiteboard.

Their team had 12 players, and Coach Xu Wei made sure each player would get their fair share of time. Kai and Marcus were scheduled to play in the second and fourth quarters.

Kai glanced at Marcus, who was sitting with his arms crossed and his eyes closed as if he were placing himself into the zone. Marcus wasn't hiding his agenda—he wanted to show the world that he was the best player on the team.

For now, the starters took the court: Zheng, Jian, Muyang, Jaw-Long, and Dong. It was a strong lineup, with each player complementing the others.

"Remember the competition," Coach Xu Wei said as the referee gestured for them to walk to the court.

They did so with confidence, with Dong situating himself in the very middle as their original center. Fortunately, the South Korean center was around the same height, maybe even shorter than Dong, which gave them an immediate advantage.

The South Korean team moved quickly, but the Chinese lineup matched their pace. Zheng took the role of playmaker, dribbling swiftly past defenders before passing the ball to Jian, who was waiting near the three-point line. Jian made a feint, then passed to Dong, who cut through the defense with startling agility for someone his size.

Park Jinwoo interrupted his shot, but it went straight to Muyang's hands. Jinwoo cursed under his breath when he realized his teammates weren't in the direction where he deflected the ball.

The crowd roared as Muyang leaped into the air, releasing the ball in a smooth arc that ended with a perfect swish through the net. He landed, pumping his fist with a wide grin as the scoreboard ticked upward.

"Nice one, Muyang!" Jaw-Long called, clapping his hands. However, he quickly retreated his hand when he realized they were enemies now.

"Crap," Jaw-Long muttered. "I need to score for the next one."

"Don't mind!" the South Korean captain exclaimed, with Jinwoo at the helm. The college player moved quickly. He was undeniably skilled, moving through his defenders with stylistic agility. It almost looked like he was doing a thirst trap in the court itself!

"Keep an eye on Park!" Zheng shouted as Jinwoo made his way toward the basket.

Muyang stepped up to block him, but Jinwoo pivoted at the last second, passing the ball to a teammate who sunk a mid-range jumper. The game was intense, with both teams trading points in rapid succession.

10-10.

As the first quarter progressed, the Chinese team worked together despite the competition that pitted them against each other. Of course, they were still competing with each other, but never against each other.

Muyang was in the lead with 12 points under his belt, and the others trailed not far behind. Just then, Jian sunk a three-pointer that tied his score with Muyang.

Visit ƒree𝑤ebnσvel.com for the 𝑏est n𝘰vel reading experience.

The older player clicked his tongue while Jian smirked. He rotated his wrists as he looked at the scoreboard.

"I still got it," he muttered. After playing with such great players for the past month, he realized that he really wasn't the best. However, in his mind, that was for the best.

Now, he could actually aim for the top because he has toppled!

Just then, the cameras panned across the audience, capturing fans waving flags and holding up signs.

Then, suddenly, Marcus gasped.

Kai, who had been focused on the game, turned to him in confusion. "What's wrong?" he asked.

Marcus didn't answer, his eyes fixed on the big screen. Kai followed his gaze, his curiosity piqued.

The camera had landed on a particular section of the crowd, zooming in on someone who had caught Marcus' attention.

Kai squinted his eyes to see better.

"Is that…?"