"Do you think Wang Chong seems a bit different from before?"
In the gym, several of Wang Chong's teammates exchanged curious glances as they watched him practice shooting on the court.
Previously, Wang Chong was known primarily for his raw physicality—his height and wingspan were his main assets. He relied heavily on these attributes to protect the rim and grab rebounds, rather than on polished skills.
But after his month-long suspension, Wang Chong didn't dive back into intense physical training. Instead, he focused on improving his shooting—particularly his mid-range and long-range shots, which had been his weakest areas.
"Why is a blue-collar inside player like him practicing mid-range shooting?" one teammate wondered aloud.
As they observed, it became apparent that Wang Chong's shooting had improved significantly. His accuracy was impressive; when unguarded, he hit over 90% of his shots. Except for some challenging fadeaway jumpers, he rarely missed.
"Since when did Wang Chong become so accurate?" another teammate asked, surprised. "I don't remember seeing him use this in games before."
Despite having played over 20 games for Marquette University, and missing several due to suspension, this was the first time his teammates had seen him practice shooting with such precision.
Wang Chong himself was quite astonished by his performance.
"Is this what an 85 mid-range shot can do?" Wang Chong mused.
With Durant's growth template, Wang Chong now had an overall skill rating of 65. Among all his abilities, his highest rating was for mid-range shooting at 85, followed by free throws at 84, close-range shots at 80, and layups at 77.
He hadn't fully grasped the implications of these ratings until he experienced them firsthand. His 85 mid-range shooting was already better than 90% of NBA players. Only All-Stars or top-tier stars might surpass his current accuracy.
Even with defenders in his way, Wang Chong's height and wingspan allowed him to maintain a high shooting percentage. Durant, known for his mid-range excellence, had a maximum rating of 99 for mid-range shooting, with high ratings for shooting stability and interference as well.
"Nice work, King," Wade said as he approached from the other side of the court. "Your shooting motion looks smooth, clean, and your shooting speed is impressive. It seems like your month off wasn't wasted."
Wade was pleased to see Wang Chong's improvement. This would undoubtedly strengthen Marquette University's chances as they prepared for the championship. Although Wang Chong's newfound mid-range shooting was a bit unconventional for a center, it was a welcome addition.
College athletes often struggle with self-discipline, and Wade had worried that Wang Chong might have slacked off during his suspension. Now, it was clear that Wang Chong had used the time effectively.
After their daily practice session, the coach kept the players together for a video review, focusing on their first-round opponent in the tournament: Xavier University, led by the National Player of the Year, David West.
David West, part of the 2003 golden generation, was a standout player, though his NBA career did not reach the heights of superstars like James, Wade, Anthony, or Bosh. West was an exceptional talent, averaging 13.6 points and 6.4 rebounds per game over his career, with a peak performance of 20+10.
In college, West was a major star with more accolades and popularity than Wade, Bosh, or Anthony. His extended college career and age—23 by draft time—limited his appeal to NBA scouts. Although he was a seasoned player, his age and less room for improvement led to him being drafted 18th overall, outside the lottery picks.
Despite his draft position, West was a formidable opponent in the NCAA, resembling a semi-professional player with NBA-level skills. Xavier University's team was heavily reliant on him, and West's impressive stats (20 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game) had led the team to a 26-6 record, tying their best ever and advancing them to March Madness.
Similarly, Marquette University depended heavily on Wade, who averaged 21.5 points per game and led the team to a 26-7 record. Both teams were thus heavily reliant on their star players.
The coach noted that Xavier University was likely studying ways to limit Wade's impact, making it crucial for Marquette to find a strategy to overcome them.
"Wang..." the coach said with a hint of urgency, "You're the only one on our team who can match up with David West physically. How you perform will be crucial for our success in advancing past Xavier and into the top 32."
End of this chapter