Wilt PoV
Wilt ran, he was still far from the basket. Taking a deep breath, Wilt stopped and took a quick breath. He threw ball the ball toward the hoop in a last ditch attempt.
Time seemed to slow as the ball spun through the air as it arched toward the net.
Wilt's heart thumped rapidly in his chest as the ball got closer. Time wasn't on their side. If he missed this, it meant game over.
The gymnasium burst into cheers as the ball went in. With a last-minute three-pointer, Wilt had clinched the national championship for his team.
He scanned the crowd for his father. His teal eyes glistened as he spotted him, the typically subdued office worker returned a faint smile. His father was the reason Wilt found himself drawn to basketball in the first place. With a chuckle, he shut his eyes, vividly recalling the memory as though it were only yesterday.
During a game of hide and seek, Wilt had stumbled upon his father's old, dusty basketball in the attic. While evading his siblings, he found a box containing vintage shorts, several medals, and the pivotal basketball. Despite its cracked rubber, it beckoned to young Wilt, then only eight years old.
Wilt's heart throbbed with excitement. His small hands struggled to maintain a firm grip on the large and worn ball, but he still dribbled the old ball.
He remembered the look of surprise on his dad's face when he found him playing in the attic with the old ball. His father was a man of few words, but his eyes had been expressive, a mixture of nostalgia and warmth. He had then spent the rest of the afternoon teaching Wilt how to dribble, shoot and pass. It was the start of a shared love for the game that would serve as the foundation of their bond.
Now, nearly ten years later, Wilt was not just playing the sport his father loved, he was excelling in it. He took a moment to soak in the applause, the cheers, the victorious atmosphere. He looked up at the clock, 0:00, and then back at his father. The smile on his father's face was no longer faint, it was as bright as the sun. Wilt knew he had made his father proud.
But this was just the beginning for Wilt. The roar of the crowd, the warmth of victory, the feeling of the ball leaving his hands and finding its home in the basket- he wanted to feel it all again. He wanted to continue playing this game beyond high school, continue making his father proud, continue making unforgettable memories with his teammates.
He raised a fist above his head, his heart pounding with joy. The young man knew this was his passion, his calling.
As the applause continued to ripple through the gymnasium, Wilt's teammates began to converge. There were shouts of exhilaration, congratulatory slaps on the back, and joyful laughter that echoed off the walls. Victorious and proud, they huddled together, their faces glowing with the thrill of the win.
Wilt, still holding the ball that had won them the game, was hoisted onto the shoulders of his teammates. He laughed, a sound of pure joy, as he was paraded around the court. He had a bird's eye view of the gymnasium, the crowd, his father in the stands. The sight was overwhelming, the energy contagious. His heart was pulsing with a rhythm, a beat that echoed the cheers of the crowd.
The team's coach, a tough as nails former soldier who had guided them through the season with a firm hand, was smiling broadly. The trophy was handed over to him, glinting under the gymnasium lights, a symbol of their hard work, determination, and skill. He held it high above his head, joining in the team's celebration.
Soon, it was time for the picture. Wilt was lowered from his lofty perch, and the team gathered around their coach and the trophy. They stood tall, each player beaming with pride. Their uniforms were soaked with sweat, their hair disheveled, but their smiles were the brightest thing in the room.
The flash from the camera was a minor starburst in the gymnasium, capturing a moment that would live on in their hearts. The picture would immortalize their victory, a snapshot of a time when they stood together as champions.
As they finished, several men and women in suits descended upon him, offering him their cards. Those who had given him their cards prior questioned if he had accepted their proposals to join their university's team.
Wilt laughed nervously at all the attention they gave him. It made things a bit awkward with his friends as of late. They had won as a team, but these people gave the star player all of the attention and scholarships.
"I haven't decided yet," he said, turning away from them. He saw his best friend lower his head and walk off.
Wilt frowned. He had been so caught up in the moment, the victory, the recognition, that he had failed to see the effect it was having on his teammates. He suddenly felt guilty. Wilt's best friend, Jake, had been there since day one, always playing by his side, always sharing in the victories and losses. Seeing him walk away with his head down was a punch to the gut.
He excused himself from the persistent recruiters and jogged after Jake. He found him sitting alone in the locker room, his face obscured by the towel around his neck. There was a heavy silence that hung in the room, a stark contrast to the jubilant noise outside.
"Jake," Wilt said, taking a seat next to him. "What's wrong?"
Jake was silent for a moment before he finally looked up. His eyes were filled with a mix of emotions- frustration, sadness, and a hint of resentment.
"It's not about you not deciding yet, Wilt," he said, his voice strained. "It's about how they only see you. We won as a team, but all they care about is the star player."
"You're right," Wilt admitted, his voice heavy with regret. He looked at Jake, his gaze sincere. "I'm sorry. I didn't realize sooner. I didn't mean for this to happen."
Jake sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I know you didn't," he said, his voice softening. "It's just…it's hard, you know? Feels like we're just background players in your story."
Wilt nodded, understanding the sentiment. "I'll talk to them," he promised, determination in his eyes. "I'll make sure they know it was a team effort."
Jake smiled weakly at him, some of the tension leaving his shoulders. "Thanks, Wilt. But I don't think that's necessary."
He put his hands on his hips and sighed. "Nonsense. I won't let them treat you guys like background characters in some light novel. You're more than that! You're my best friends, my brothers from other mothers."
His friend chuckled. "Alright, but don't push yourself."
"I won't!" Wilt yelled, running off.
As Wilt walked back to the gym, he felt a new resolve forming. He would stand up for his team, for their shared victories and efforts. He was the star player, but he was nothing without his teammates. They were the real champions.
A few of the men and women in suits had begun talking to his teammates, but most were waiting on Wilt to return.
He took a deep breath and slapped himself.
"Alright, Wilt. Let's do this," he muttered to himself, steeling his nerves for the conversation ahead.
He stepped out of the hall and into the gym proper. The recruiters turned their attention back to him. He could see the eagerness in their eyes, the expectation that he'd pick one of their cards, choose their university. But Wilt had other plans.
He cleared his throat, drawing the attention of the crowd. "Ladies and gentlemen," he began, his voice steady and strong, "I appreciate the attention and the offers. I'm honored, truly." He paused, glancing at his teammates who were watching him with bated breath. "But I want to make something clear."
He held up a hand, gesturing to his teammates around him. "This victory wasn't mine alone. It was a team effort. We won this championship together. Every single person on this team contributed to its victory. They all deserve your attention as much as I do."
A murmur of surprise rippled through the crowd. The recruiters exchanged glances, taken aback by his words. Wilt didn't falter. He stood tall, his gaze unwavering.
"I'm not saying I don't want to continue playing basketball in college," he continued. "What I'm saying is, if you're interested in me, then you should be interested in my team as well. We've grown and played together. And we should be recognized equally for our losses and wins."
The gymnasium was silent for a moment before it erupted in cheers. His teammates were grinning. His coach was watching him with a proud smile on his face.
Wilt felt a wave of relief wash over him. He managed to stand up for his team, for their shared victories and efforts. He was the star player, but he was nothing without his teammates. And today, he'd made sure everyone knew that. Although, it also made him sad. He knew that his friends wouldn't all pick the same university as him. They would all go their different ways, just like some of his elementary and middle school friends had.
But he would retain the memory of their time together for the rest of his life.