Tremaine is unbelievably calm tonight.
So calm that most of his teammates were worried about him, especially his buddy Deshaun.
Deshaun found out that Tre called his mother to announce the good news last night, because when Tre came back, he was crying tears of sheer joy.
Deshaun believed that his friend would be able to dominate once he's given a chance. It's just a matter of time for him.
However, Tremaine was calm not because he's trying to suppress the raging emotions and nerves, but because he's ready to employ his magic. He might not have fully attuned to his younger body yet, however he could still do some damage as a spark plug off the bench.
He was confident of at least a few minutes to run out and go wild, hell, he'd even accept a few minutes of garbage time to prove his worth.
As long as he could bask in the warmth of a game that mattered, with fans watching, with people believing in him, and a team that would help him. He will never take playing basketball for granted ever again.
***
It was a blistering start for the eager Fighting Illini.
They have been starting to be known as a diesel team because of profligate, slow starts during their first two outings.
But here, against their third opponent, it's about time they fired up their engines from the get go.
A quick blitz of 3 three pointers from three different players opened their accounts away from home within a minute.
Jaylen Mitchell was energetic and aggressive from the off, probably as penance for the woeful game he wanted to forget last time out. He scored the first one, and dished out the 2 assists.
Legend Stone Jr. contained the Harvard captain using his exemplary post footwork and defensive awareness that was otherwise nonexistent last time out.
Ryan Brown was back to his usual defensive pest self again. A quick, accurate swipe on the sophomore Harvard point guard dispossessed him and sent the ball rolling on the open court.
Ryan dived for it, using his entire body to shield the ball from the point guard trying to win it back. He's torn whether to call a timeout or wait for a teammate, but at the last moment, at the corner of his field of vision, Jaylen Mitchell sped by, breaking away.
He struggled to keep the ball away from his opponent, but was able to barely send the ball rolling to Mitchell ahead.
Mitchell had already planned everything out beforehand, and knew that whatever this defender catching up behind him was trying to pull, he wouldn't be stopped.
On the way to his fifth point tonight, Jaylen stuck out his tongue, right before he elevated for the rim.
Nothing over the top. He just did a simple tomahawk jam.
11-0.
"Yeah!" Over at the center of the stands, Taichi Kawashima was pumping his fists in elation. "Man! I would've loved to play with him!"
His Harvard schoolmates were neither pissed nor surprised. Instead, the ladies had that look in their eyes as if they'd seen the most beautiful man ever, and the guys hung their heads in shame… because even if they were also Harvard prodigies, they don't have that kind of halo over their head.
The match continued in the same blistering way, with finally Harvard scoring their first points by the fifth minute much to the delight of the already silent crowd.
They might be down 20 points, but at least they're doing their best.
Khalil dribbled the ball down the court, making several hand signals to set up the play like he's the lead guard. Of course, he had the capability to do so, as one of the most attractive parts of his game was his playmaking ability.
He came to this game with nothing else in mind but to enjoy and dominate.
Now, he might not have the points, but he has a couple of blocks, a handful of rebounds, and a whale of a time.
He zipped a pass to his right where Lamont Harris was trying his very best to shake off his marker. He got a convincing shot fake off, and moved to the side with one dribble.
He hesitated for a second, because he saw Jaylen Mitchell cutting through the baseline unimpeded.
"Hehe. Stealing my thunder once again." Instead of shooting a three, he threw a lobbed pass to the path of Jaylen Mitchell.
"Here. Dunk it."
Lamont Harris' expectations weren't betrayed by the rookie, who rocked the rim with all his pent up rage.
That dunk however did not stop the game from hitting an invisible wall, which made way to both teams missing a lot more chances. It didn't really make that much of a difference for Harvard though…
Line up rotations had begun after the half's halfway point.
With both teams struggling to find their rhythm, both coaches opted for full five man changes.
Sean Nguyen ran it down the floor with calmness he didn't know he possessed. He realized that he had to change his ways a bit to become a reliable sixth man, at least for a couple of games.
Caleb, Dwayne, Quandre, and Tarik knew the four of them had bigger shoes to fill with the inclusion of Sean.
Miguel and Sean were very different players after all.
Sean had a lot more flair into his game, while Miguel was more of a beloved game manager.
A game manager was a player (usually an American Football Quarterback) that made little to no mistakes, had low to average counting statistics, and was usually good enough not to be a net negative player. Plus, what beloved by everyone due to his bright persona.
Sean was more of an unrestrained, trickster. His play carried a lot more of a surprise element… which could lead to a lot of turnovers, bad shot selection and sometimes, hot streaks.
Sean ran around a rough Quandre Thornton screen, fully expecting for him to roll towards the basket…
But instead he popped back out into the three point line… taking both defenders with him.
'Wait, I'm free…'
He'd been practicing this certain move for more than a month now with the help of Tremaine, and he's waiting for a great time to bust it out.
Maybe this is the time.
He elevated with his left foot, and at the optimal elevation, he arced the ball to the basket with one hand…
Splash!
Sean Nguyen gave himself a perfect start.
He used that as a springboard for a sustained period as a spark plug.
By the time coach Roughan had started looking for replacements, Sean had already propelled Illinois to a 20 point lead once again.
Taichi Kawashima saw movement on the Fighting Illini bench. He grinned.
The time has finally come.
46-26 in the first half, with a little over 2 minutes remaining, sophomore Samuel Andrews, and Deshaun Richardson stood up from the bench, along with his debuting best friend, Tremaine Mills.
Tremaine gave the sideline a tap and wore a white headband that went seamlessly with their orange uniform and his close cropped hair.
Tremaine waited for 3 years before he played NCAA ball in his first life. In this one, all it took was two and a half games.
'I know you aren't watching, but this game is for you, mom.'
"Samuel Andrews, Deshaun Richardson, and debutant point guard Tremaine Mills enter the game for the Illini." One of the commentators said.
Tremaine's journey to the NBA had taken a delectable turn. Now he's ready to put everyone on notice.
'Don't forget, you're way older than them, Tre!' He ran straight to the center of the court with exhilaration.
It all begins here.
***
Extras:
"Is that Tre, dear?" Deshaun's father adjusted his glasses to make sure he's seeing it right.
"Oh my! That is him!" His wife playing with her phone exclaimed beside him.
"Quick! Call Tracy! Tell her his beloved boy is on the court now!" Deshaun's father was giddy about the development. "Holy shit! Those two are on the NCAA floor together!"
Deshaun's father started recording what he's seeing with a high quality camera. This was, after all, a once in a lifetime occasion.