Rebound: A 2nd Chance

Chapter 243 - First Day Of A New School Year

The effects of Jason's plan were visible from the start. As soon as Jason had declared that Jefferson would win the State title and make a deep run at Nationals it caught the attention of multiple different media outlets.

Everything from mainstream consumer media down to social media, the biggest story was about Jason and his overbearing declaration of confidence in both himself and his team.

Soon the story of Tyreek decommitting from UCR and instead deciding to go to UCLA became old news as no one was interested in talking about it.

Overnight Jason's already high popularity surged to even greater heights as the followers that he had on his social media account soared to 2.5 million people.

In the days that ensued it was impossible for him to walk outside of his apartment without being recognized.

It was to the point where even people who didn't even watch basketball knew about him. And as his name began to trend even more the big time sports shows picked up on this and decided to use his story in order to garner more views.

ESPN, Fox Sports, all the big time channels were talking about Jason. And of course with the rise in his popularity came a rise in the number of people who didn't like him.

- - -

Jimmy Butler was on set dressed in a classy looking dark blue suit as he rubbed his face with both hands before looking at the man sitting one spot away from him to his right.

"I'm telling you Logan. This isn't being cocky or talking out of your backside. What Jaya said is what any player of his caliber would say.

You ain't never been an athlete so I don't expect you to understand but that's why I've been trying so hard to explain it to you.

Being an athlete isn't all just the physical stuff. The mental side plays a huge part. You need to have that kinda dog in you.

And it's not like this is just some bench warmer saying this. This is a kid who has proven that he can lead a team.

I understand where the kid is coming from. He's not confident in himself or his talent. What he's confident in is the heart, sweat, and soul that he's poured into the game.

I was homeless at one point in my life. 13 years old and my mom kicked me outta the house. Dad wasn't around and he didn't care.

Later on I didn't get any offers from any D1 programs. I had to go to a junior college to play ball. You know what kept me going?"

Jimmy Butler pointed at his head and then at his chest "I had a fire burning up here and down here. I knew that I would make it as long as I stuck to the grind because I knew that I worked ten times harder than any other mother[bleep] out there.

When you're an athlete you are literally fighting against the odds. Everything is stacked against you. Yous a number man right Logan?"

Logan Banks nodded his head as he pushed his glasses up "My career and track record would suggest that I am THEE numbers man."

Jimmy shook his head slightly "Whatever man. Anyways, as a numbers man you should be able to appreciate this.

According to the math a high school senior has a 2.9 percent chance to play NCAA basketball. That already sounds low don't it?

Well it gets even lower if you're a high school senior trying to get into the NBA. The numbers say that you only have a 0.03 percent chance of getting drafted into the NBA.

0.03 man! And that's just your chances of getting drafted. Tons of players get drafted and either don't get drafted in the right circumstance or the right team so they fizzle out.

Imagine pouring everything you had every single day while knowing how much the cards are stacked against you. You think you can do that without having some confidence in yourself?"

Logan coughed as he cleared his throat "That was a great and heartwarming story Jimmy. I am a hundred percent sincere when I say that what you have done with your life is inspirational.

That being said I just can't agree with you. You might say that I just don't understand it because I was never an athlete.

But I have worked with teams and athletes for close to two decades so I think that I at least have some sort of understanding.

And to me this situation is just like when LeBron decided to go to the Lakers. He knew that his career was almost over so he-"

Jimmy interrupted him "What!" He then fell back into his chair as he had an exasperated look on his face "You think LeBron went to LA for the glitz and glamor? 

They won championships man! And the first one they got was against us! How are you going to sit up here and talk that garbage?"

Logan seemed unbothered as he continued "LeBron made his decision to come to the Lakers back when all they had were a bunch of untested and unproven babies.

He decided to come to LA back when it was still a circus show. How can you tell me that he made that move to win?

He didn't know for certain that they would be able to pick up any other stars to help him. LeBron and the Lakers were lucky that they were able to get AD.

If the Pelicans say no to that trade all those years ago the only thing LeBron would have to show for his tenure as a Laker is that horrible sequel to Space Jam."

Jimmy Butler then slammed his hands on the table "But they did get AD and they did win championships. For a numbers guy you talkin about a whole lotta what ifs Logan."

He then weakly shook his head as he had one of his hands covering his face. He peeped between his fingers and looked at Logan before closing his eyes.

"Man, I can't with you Logan. Not today. Ain't nothing I can say to change your mind. You already got your mind set on this and it's a damn shame man.

If you're asking me it sounds like you're the one talking outta your backside. Let's move on to the next story Kelly. No point in talkin bout this any more."

- - -

Scenes like that were taking place with multiple different TV show hosts and personalities as well as retired players of whom only a small percentage seemed to not be on Jason's side.

But none of this seemed to bother Jason as he continued with his life as usual. He along with all of the other guys met up at Jefferson everyday for practice.

And as the days passed by summer eventually came to an end. Seven in the morning, two figures could be seen skateboarding.

The tallest figure looked to be around 6'4 (1.93m) while the shorter one looked to be 5'8 (1.72m). The two of them leisurely cruised through the fairly empty sidewalk.

It was Jason and Kyle. After the training camp they had began skateboarding for fun and now were skating to school.

As they got close to the school they both hopped off of their skateboards and picked them up. Kyle looked over at Jason with a bright smile on his face.

Kyle had grown out his hair over the summer. His twists were now tied up into a ponytail while a single loc with a golden ring was left free as it dangled on the left side of his face.

"You ready for the first day of school Jaya?" Jason gave a slight smile as he nodded his head "Bro, do you even need to ask?

Today's the fist day of school and the first day of club rush. We need to make sure we get the best kids before the other sports teams do."

Jason had his hair parted in the middle as both sides reached down past his cheekbones. The scar above his right eye just barely visible behind his hair.

Just as they had began to walk up the stairs outside of the school a voice shouted out "Oh my god! It's Jaya and Kyle!"

Out of nowhere Jason and Kyle found themselves surrounded by a mob of other kids. Jason sighed.

'Man, this is what I was trying to avoid. It's an hour before school starts. Why are there so many kids here already?'