The Way of the Center

The gym has been going on for a while without the lights being turned off until midnight, without anyone noticing. Apart from Morris and Anjie himself, the only person who noticed that something was wrong was Asakin. Poor Asakin, he thought that he would never lose his starting center position. As a result, in the subsequent training, he felt more and more difficult to defend against An Jie. Now he can't occupy An Jie in one-on-one singles. It's a little bit cheaper.

"You definitely took medicine, or used oriental witchcraft." During the break, Asakin joked again.

"I have already said that thing is called Chinese medicine."

"Taking a few pieces of ordinary grass can cure diseases and strengthen the body. That must be witchcraft. Take me there, An Jie, take me to a Chinese medicine doctor and cast some spells on me so that I can become stronger too. Asakin looked up and down at An Jie closely.

"Go away, I don't want to be misunderstood by others." An Jie pushed away Asakin's face that was close to his mouth pretending to be disgusted. Although they are competitors, both of them are relatively humble and friendly, so their relationship is actually very good.

"Look, these two big guys are flirting again." Mike Taylor walked to An Jie and Asakin and sat down beside him while wiping his sweat.

"Don't think I don't know. Every time you defend that kid Cruz, you always use your hands to others. You must be planning something wrong. I think we should stay away from you." Asakin fought back without showing any weakness.

"The three of you are fucking disgusting me." Morris looked at the three sitting on the floor with disgust. Why did he like to hang out with the three guys?

Because of mutual appreciation on the court, the few of them have become better friends.

………………..

Every three or four days, Anjie's mother would call to ask how her son was doing while he was abroad alone. In fact, she wished she could make three or four phone calls every day, just because she was afraid of disturbing her son's life. Mothers all over the world are like this, no matter how old their son is, they can't rest assured.

Sure enough, three days after the last call, my mother called again.

"Hello, Mom." It was past seven o'clock in the evening, and An Jie had just come out of the training room, ready to enjoy the "rich" dinner brought in a lunch box.

"An Jie, are you busy?"

"It's not busy, it's not busy, I just went out for a stroll with my roommates, and I just went back to the dormitory." An Jie didn't want to say that he was exhausted after coming out of the strength training room, so that his mother would talk about him for more than an hour. For example, tell him to pay attention to his body, tell him not to delay his studies because of playing ball...

"Let me tell you, I made your favorite spicy chicken diced last night, and I was thinking of sending you some."

"Don't bother, here in the United States, do you still have to worry about my eating well?" Looking at the food in his lunch box that was made according to a nutritious recipe: tasteless chicken nuggets, tasteless noodles and a little fruit salad. An Jie was drooling thinking about the spicy chicken on the other end of the phone.

"Your dad is reading the newspaper next to him. I said, Lao An, do you want to talk to your son? International long-distance calls are rare, so hurry up if you want to say something." At this moment, she seemed to have forgotten that she was procrastinating. Asking a bunch of the same questions every time...

"There is nothing to say about such a big man, just tell him to play by himself and be careful not to get injured." This is the difference between father and mother.

"Okay, that's it for your dad. Don't talk anymore, you should have a good rest. Don't go out with your American classmates to fool around at night." Before hanging up the phone, he still reminded him.

"Understood, Mom, hang up." After hanging up the phone, An Jie continued to chew the tasteless chicken, missing the home-cooked food that was a bit boring before. He swallowed the food quickly, not wanting to let it stay in his mouth for a second longer. After a quick meal,

An Jie continued to immerse himself in training...

………………..

Ricard eliminated the two from the team yesterday, because the gap between the two players and others was widening, and they couldn't keep up with the rhythm during training with the ball. Now every time someone is eliminated, Ricard will feel distressed for a while. Unlike the previous ones who gave up halfway, at least the remaining players have worked hard enough, and Ricard appreciates all players who are willing to sweat. If it weren't for the lack of ability, Ricard also hoped to bring them to the NCAA competition.

Thinking of the two hardworking guys he just eliminated yesterday, Ricard became very angry. Because today, there was actually a person who didn't come to training for no reason and didn't ask for leave. This is not only disrespectful to him, but also to those who were eliminated by him.

"Okay! Come here and let's continue with yesterday's tactics!" Ricard's voice was extremely loud today, no one dared to talk to him, and the players knew that the coach was in a rage.

Just as everyone gathered in a circle to start the tactics class, the door of the gymnasium was hurriedly pushed open. Knowing who it was without looking, Morris rushed in panting heavily.

"coach."

Ricard ignored it, as if Morris was the air, he continued to talk about tactics on his own.

"Coach, I overslept from my afternoon nap. You can do whatever you want me to do, please let me continue playing." Morris knew that he had caused a disaster, but he had never spoken to anyone so humbly.

"Mr. Morris, please leave my stadium." Ricard didn't even look at Morris when he said this.

Morris didn't leave, he just stood by the basketball court. Ricard still ignored it, and he continued to explain tactics in the circle of people.

Fifteen minutes later, Ricard had said all he had to say. At this moment, he finally turned and glanced at Morris.

"Yesterday, I eliminated Jack and Anderson from the team. They are definitely one of the hardest working people in this team!" Ricard smashed the tactical board to the ground with a "wow", and strode towards Mo Reese.

"Those who train hard are eliminated, while those who don't come to train because of sleep stay, it's so fucking ironic, you really don't deserve to play here!" Rickard yelled, pointing at Morris' chest. "I regret my choice! To be fair to them, please leave my basketball court now and never come back!"

"No, coach, you can do whatever you want, please let me return to the team." Morris was in a hurry. He knew Ricard was a head coach who emphasized discipline, but this time he violated discipline and hit the gun.

"Okay, you want to return to the team." Ricard crossed his hands on his hips, thinking of a way to make Morris retreat.

"3,000 back and forth runs and 1,500 push-ups, finish it for me before our training ends the day after tomorrow, and I will let you return to the team after finishing, or you will get out of here!"

The other team members shook their heads one after another, this is impossible.

Morris didn't say anything, and without hesitation, he put down his bag, and immediately went to the bottom line to start his switchback.

"Old Moore, you help me count for him, even one less will do. The others! Keep training!"

During the training, Ricard would glance at Morris from time to time, but he always saw Morris running. This usually rebellious young man is obediently completing the task according to the requirements at this moment, regardless of the cost and without complaint.

He remained silent and didn't care what happened on the field. Morris kept running with his head buried in himself, even though his vest was completely soaked and didn't stop. If there is anything in common between Morris and Ricard, it is that Morris is also a strong person, and he hates being looked down upon by others the most in his life. In high school, the school's star center had to be kicked out of the basketball team for sleeping in college. He couldn't accept such a thing anyway. He also knew the seriousness of the matter, and he had really pissed off Ricard, so no matter what the price was, as long as it allowed him to continue playing here, he would do it without hesitation.

The next day, Morris arrived at the basketball court on time. He still didn't join the group in training, but continued to repeat the switchbacks and push-ups. Old Moore was careless at first, but now he counts for him earnestly, and even cheers for Morris in his heart. He has been an assistant coach for so many years, and he has never seen such perseverance.

Ricard's request is to make it clear that he wants you to leave, but he is persistently trying to complete this impossible task. What he didn't know was that besides Morris, Anjie's insistence on extra training would also surprise him. Compared with the people in this team now, there is a world of difference.

An Jie also admired this teammate from the bottom of his heart. When he first faced off with Morris, he really couldn't figure out how there could be such an annoying guy in this world. But now, who can not respect him.

Ricard even softened his heart, but he couldn't just stop the punishment. If Morris can't do what he said, he will still keep his promise to kick Morris out. If he softens his heart this time, then all players will break the rules unscrupulously in the future, and his prestige will no longer exist. If a coach can't even control his own players, it will be even more impossible to achieve results.

On the third day, Morris was the first to come to the basketball court, and he didn't say a word to anyone. He had been running since the beginning of training and never stopped.

Halfway through the day's training, Rickard walked over to Morris for the first time in three days. He could no longer turn a blind eye to the player and admitted he was moved by the player's behaviour.

"How much has he done? Old Moore."

Seeing the coach walking towards Morris, everyone in the stadium stopped what they were doing and looked at the corner where Morris was punished in unison.

"Two thousand back and forth runs, eight hundred and fifty-three push-ups." Old Moore answered truthfully according to the record.

Morris stopped, waiting for the coach's verdict. At this time, his vest was able to carry a bucket of water, and the sweat dripped down his chin to the floor.

"I'm amazed at what you've done Morris, but now it seems that you can't finish it anyway before the end of training. Go home Morris and don't do it again." Ricard returned the record sheet to the old man. Moore, turn around and prepare to go back to training.

"I'll run him back and forth, Coach!"

Ricard looked at the crowd in surprise, looking for who said that sentence.

"I can help him run a bit." An Jie raised his hand and walked to the front of the crowd. He didn't wait for Ricard's consent. Like Morris, he ran directly to the bottom line and began to turn back.

Ricard was very surprised, he hadn't expected such a situation at all. He looked at An Jie who was running, not knowing what to say. Not to mention Ricard, even Morris himself couldn't believe that An Jie would stand up for himself.

Seeing An Jie stand up for his teammates, it is really unreasonable for the others to remain unmoved.

"Damn it, I'll run some too." Next, Asakin also joined the turning team.

"I...I can do a few push-ups." Mike Taylor got down on the spot.

"I'll run too."

"I do push-ups"

"I'll help you make a few, remember to treat me to dinner."

……………….

All of a sudden, almost all the team members moved. They are rivals competing for a place on the team, but at the same time.....

"Coach, you said that we are a team, and if we work hard alone, we will all work hard." An Jie said to Ricard during the running break.

At the same time, they are also a team, this group of young people represents the Iowa State University Cyclones.

"Moore, count them!" Ricard said, leaving the gymnasium and returning to his office. Now he doesn't care whether these guys can complete his request. He was extremely excited, and Ricard smiled happily when the players couldn't see him. Such a team willing to sacrifice themselves for the sake of teammates will be full of infinite hope and potential.

Why did An Jie help Morris? It's just because An Jie regards Morris as a friend. If his friend dies and he can do everything he can, there is no reason not to help. The righteousness in the bones of the Chinese made him make this move that shocked the audience.

………………..

With the help of all the players, Morris really passed Ricard's test smoothly and was able to stay in the team and continue playing. In fact, Old Moore didn't count whether they had fulfilled the requirements at all, and Ricard didn't ask. This group of young people has conquered their coaches with practical actions.

In the next few days, the intensity of training was even greater than before. Off the court, everyone was already good friends, but on the court, everyone was merciless. They all know that there are still two people in this team who cannot go on with everyone. So everyone gave their all and wished they weren't one of those two.

Ricard is also very troubled. The team has become too united since Anjie made that move. No matter which two people choose to quit Ricard and the players are very reluctant. Although I can't bear it, it is also a decision that must be made. The NCAA stipulates that each team cannot have more than 15 people, which is what Ricard has to abide by.

Finally, 15 days before the start of the new season in November, Ricard finally finalized the official squad list. Angie, Morris, Taylor and Asakin are all on the list.

"Congratulations, you have survived the two months of training. It is my honor to have so many excellent players playing under me." This is the first time Ricard has been so respectful to the players in two months say.

"I've decided to give you a whole week off as a reward you all deserve."

"Yeah~~~~~~~" There was an explosion off the court, a week's vacation was simply a luxury for them. But An Jie didn't feel too excited. No matter whether Rickard gave them a vacation, An Jie's extra training would not be interrupted.

During this period of time, Anjie's weight has increased by a full seven kilograms. Even under a lot of training and strict dietary restrictions, this is already a remarkable achievement. Although this weight is still a lot worse than other inside players, due to the heavy training, his upper and lower body strength is much better than before. Although An Jie's confrontation ability can't be said to be an advantage, at least it won't let others take too much advantage.

"This week, you all go to relax for me. When you come back, we only have one week to prepare for the arrival of the new season. Other teams are only allowed to train for six weeks, but we have been secretly training for almost two weeks. months! I want you to go out on the court and prove that these two months were not wasted!"

"Don't worry, coach, we are the ones who survived under your hands." All the members below joked.

"Okay, let's dismiss."

And just like that, the players of the Iowa State University Cyclones ushered in the final break before the start of the new season. Of course, this is all except for An Jie, and his own training will continue.

There are still 15 days before the start of the first game of the new season on November 13. Can the Cyclones blow a storm in the NCAA arena? Can Anjie prove that he can gain a foothold in the NCAA arena?

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