Rebound: A 2nd Chance

Chapter 12 - First Encounter

Jason followed Trell to what seemed to be a park. It was empty except for the basketball courts where a few people were playing.

They seemed to know Trell as they all greeted him. Trell walked up to one of the guys and asked "Ya'll got a ball I can borrow real quick?"

The man was easily at least 6'4. He had dark brown skin and his hair was short all around. He looked at Trell "What you mean borrow a ball? Bruh. Ain't you supposed to be in school?"

Trell pointed to Jason "I told ya'll yesterday I was gonna hoop with the dude that beat me after school. You gonna let me borrow a ball or nah Tyreek?"

Tyreek tossed the ball to Trell but then he looked to where Trell was pointing and he erupted into laughter.

"Hahaha! Yo Trell. You have got to be kidding right? I thought you said you lost in a basketball game not a dumpling making contest"

Jason wasn't surprised to hear the joke that Tyreek made. Ever since the modern era of basketball the sport had been a predominately Black sport. Majority of the pro players in the Basketball Association were Black.

And even among the different races that played in the professional Basketball Association Asian players made up the smallest number.

If this had happened in the past Jason would have felt mad at being mocked or out of place for being the only Asian person here.

But Jason had made it all the way to the collegiate level of basketball in his past life. He had been around African Americans so much that he felt right at home.

Tyreek continued "I would understand if you lost to a Yao ming looking ass dude but this little guys a shrimp man. How the fuck you lose to him Trell?" Tyreek couldn't stop laughing.

Trell ignored Tyreek. He turned to Jason "Let's play one on one. If I win me and my crew are free. If I lose I'll add another day to the bet. But that only counts for me and not my crew"

Jason smiled "Sure. You wanna shoot for it?" The two of them walked toward one of the empty courts.

Trell went first. Just like last time his shot was way off. He hit the top of the backboard. Jason walked up to the free throw line and took a shot.

Everyone watched as he started his beautiful and fundamentally sound shooting motion. The ball flew in a high straight arc before swishing through the net.

Jason took the first possession. This time Trell started off guarding Jason extremely tight. He pressed Jason with his body and put his hands up and to the side.

Jason couldn't help but notice the improvement in Trell's defensive stance 'Feet are further apart giving him better lateral movement.

Hands are up and to the side to contest a shot as well as to help prevent dribble drives. Looks like he did a little practicing.'

Jason thought it would be a great chance to try out the new Badge that he just unlocked. He activated the badge 'Heart's eye'

[Skills

Free throw: F

Lay Up: F

Dunking: D+

Close Shot: F+

Mid Range Shooting: F

Three Point Shooting: F

Dribbling: F+

Passing: F

Ball Handling: F+

Play Making: F

Post Scoring: F

Rebounding: D

Post Control: F

Perimeter Defense: D

Post Defense: F+

Steals: D-

Blocks: D-

Athleticism: AA ]

Jason saw Trell's skill grades 'Looks like he doesn't have any badges' But he was disappointed that Trell didn't have any skill badges.

Jason smiled "Looks like someone went home and watched a couple videos on how to play defense" The vein on Trell's neck bulged "Shut up and start already"

Jason was standing in triple threat position when he jab stepped to the right. Trell fell for it and took a slight step to the right as Jason began driving towards the left.

Trell turned and started running for Jason but just as he was about to catch up Jason planted his foot into the ground and came to a stop with a behind the back dribble. Trell ended up running past Jason by a couple steps.

Jason was wide open and he took the mid-range shot. It was another swish as the ball hit nothing but net.

Jason kept his hand in the air from the follow through of his shot "I'd give you an A for effort Trell but that's about it"

Tyreek whistled in amazement "Damn! Looks like Jackie Chan Jr. got some moves on the court" Trell ignored Tyreek. He clenched his jaw as he pushed the words through his teeth "Next possession"

It was Trell's turn on offense. This time he tried his pure power to drive to the basket. But Jason stuck by his side never losing contact for a second.

Trell managed to get to the basket but Jason used his positioning and a good angle to put his hand up and contest the shot.

Trell shouted in anger after seeing his shot miss "Fuck" but Jason chased after the ball and got the rebound.

He ran to the outside of the three-point line. Trell ran after Jason after he realized that he had gotten the rebound but it was too late. Jason bent his knees, aligned his elbow and his wrist with the basket and shot the ball.

The ball flew straight to the hoop and fell through the net with a swish. Tyreek was slack-jawed for a moment before he slapped the guy next to him on the back "You see that?! Little dude got range for days bruh. Looking like a sniper out here."

The game went by much like yesterdays. Trell struggled to guard Jason while Jason would then lock Trell down on the defensive side of the ball.

But compared to yesterday Jason missed a couple shots and Trell was able to make two shots. The final score was 21 to 4.

Jason was tired but the fatigue wasn't as bad as what he felt yesterday. He still had some cramps but they were a lot milder compared to last time.

Jason wiped the sweat off his face with his shirt before turning to Trell "Looks like I got you for another day."

Trell wiped the sweat off his head with his forearm "Yeah I know. I don't go back on my word." He took the ball and walked back to Tyreek "Thanks man."

Tyreek took the ball and passed it to the person next to him "No problem Trell." He then got up and walked towards Jason.

He patted Jason on the back with a huge grin on his face "Sup little guy. You really showed out. Mad respect. I was wrong for clowning you earlier. You a certified hooper."

He continued "Anytime you want to come around and hoop on these courts you're always welcome. If anybody tries to give you problems just let em know that you friends with Tyreek"

Jason smiled back at Tyreek "Sure thing. And don't worry about the joking around. No hard feeling here" Jason was slightly curious so he used Heart's eye on Tyreek. He was shocked.

[Skills

Free throw: SS+

Lay Up: SS+

Dunking: SS+

Close Shot: SS+

Mid Range Shooting: SS+

Three Point Shooting: SS+

Dribbling: SS+

Passing: SS+

Ball Handling: SS+

Play Making: SS+

Post Scoring: SS+

Rebounding: SS+

Post Control: SS+

Perimeter Defense: SS+

Post Defense: SS+

Steals: SS+

Blocks: SS+

Athleticism: SS+ ]

Tyreek looked like he was around 20 years old. And even though these were the grades of his skills in comparison to the middle school level it was still impressive.

Jason was curious "Hey Tyreek. Do you play college ball?" Tyreek smiled "Haha! How'd you know? Did you see me on the newspaper or did you see the interview on the news? I guess I'm starting to be a small time celebrity around these parts."

Tyreek puffed out his chest "I was scouted by the University of Riverside. All I need to do is ball up for my last year of high school and I'll be guaranteed a spot"

It was like pieces of a puzzle snapped together in Jason's brain after he heard Tyreek say that he was scouted by UR.

Tyreek Hills. He was a promising local athlete who had the ability to make it to the next level after college. Many scouts thought he would be a late first or a early second round pick.

Unfortunately he would never see himself walk onto that bright stage. The night after he hit a buzzer beating shot to win the last game of the college season that secured their spot in the playoffs bracket he was hit by a drunk driver on his way home.

He survived the accident but he was never the same athlete afterwards. Jason was lost in his memories before he was pulled back by the notification that popped into his vision.

[Mission: Second Chance. Your heart is burning with ambition after meeting someone who had their dreams stolen from them! Help Tyreek get drafted into the professional Basketball Association. The higher in the draft he is selected the better the rewards you will receive]

Jason thought to himself 'Getting him drafted shouldn't be hard. If it weren't for the accident in my past life he would have made it all on his own. The problem is if I want to get better rewards. How can I get him drafted higher?'