The next morning, Kendrick sat at the kitchen table, staring at his phone. He'd barely slept, his mind replaying every moment of the showcase. The applause, the scout's nod, the feeling of the ball leaving his hands it all felt surreal.
His mom walked in, holding a steaming mug of coffee. "You've been sitting there for an hour, Kendrick. Waiting for something?"
He sighed, leaning back in his chair. "Just hoping for a call, Ma. A scout from State was watching me last night."
She smiled softly, setting her mug down. "You did your part, baby. Now it's up to them. But no matter what happens, I'm proud of you."
Before Kendrick could respond, his phone buzzed. He stared at the screen, his heart racing as an unfamiliar number appeared. He hesitated before answering.
"Hello?"
"Kendrick Rivers?" a deep, confident voice said.
"Yes, this is him."
"This is Paul Grant from State University's basketball program. I was at the showcase last night, and I have to say, you impressed me."
Kendrick's grip on the phone tightened. "Thank you, sir. I've been working hard."
"It shows," Grant said. "Coach Hardy is interested in bringing you in for a visit. We'd like to meet with you, talk about what you could bring to our program."
Kendrick's chest swelled with excitement. "That would be amazing, sir. Thank you so much."
"I'll have my assistant send you the details," Grant continued. "Keep up the good work, Kendrick. We'll be watching."
As the call ended, Kendrick sat in stunned silence. His mom touched his shoulder, her face glowing with pride. "That was it, wasn't it?"
Kendrick nodded, a grin spreading across his face. "They want me, Ma. They actually want me."
She pulled him into a tight hug, her voice thick with emotion. "You earned this, Kendrick. Don't let anyone take it from you."