2021, California, USA, it was the high school basketball state championship final between Centennial High School against Sierra Canyon.
Jake looked around nervously as he prepared to sub in the game for Centennial High School. Unlike the other students, this was the second time he would enter the game, reliving his moment of glory.
Just a day before he was in the hospital, following three major injuries which included a torn hamstring and back to back ACL injuries while playing for USC. He had gone through the grueling rehabilitation process as he watched his teammates play on the sidelines for the past year, now he was back in that same hospital he spent the last year and a half rehabilitating.
He closed his eyes, wishing he could go back to the days where he basked in glory.
And there he was, back in his 17 year old body, wearing number 16, subbing in for his teammate with four minutes left in the game as his team trailed 50-45.
If he remembered correctly his team had lost 59-50. But he wanted to change that, jumping up and down he sprinted to the court eager to have his first taste of action for the first time in nearly a year. As the referee blew the whistle he eagerly waited in the corner as his point guard, Max dribbled the ball down the court.
In his natural Small Forward position he waited like a predator, deprived of its prey for days, now ready to strike. As soon as the point guard crossed half court he motioned for Jake to set a screen. In which he eagerly did, tensing his body for the impact as Number 8 of the opposing team crashed into him.
Like a brick wall he stood still, unmoved. Then he went to his spot, the elbow just outside the 3-second box, then he asked for a pass. Max nodded and did a no lock pass to him as he caught it right on his palm. Now he backed down his much smaller defender, one dribble, two dribbles, then he did his signature move. A turnaround jumper, with a perfect release from his hand, the ball soared into the net.
The crowd roared as the lead was now only three with less than four minutes to play. Now on defense he tightly marked his man. Shoulder to shoulder he denied a pass until it was forced into his marker, which he swooped in and stole the ball.
Running with Max with only 1 defender between them he sprinted down the court, stopping in the mid range area he rose up for a jumper as the defender attempted to block it. But instead of shooting he passed it down to Max who used the glass to put the ball in the net.
Once again they were back in defense, as he backpedaled backwards, his teammate Jared McCain stole the ball and dunked it on the other side. Jared, who would be a future NBA player, was in his Junior year of high school. Along with him he too was a five star recruit and would commit to Duke university. But that was a story for another day as his team was now leading 51-50!
He high fived Jared as the two started talking as the ball was still out of possession.
"Great steal! Keep them coming Jared. You lowkey turning into a superstar now!" Jake encouraged, happy to see his teammate once more.
"Hey man you're the star here, 27 points in 15 minutes is crazy!" Jared replied, throwing back a compliment.
"Just stay away from those tik toks though! You cringe asf in those." Jake teased as Jared shrugged him off, both of them locking back into the game.
As the game went off, the other team managed to get back with a three but Jared McCain responded with a deep three of his own. But it was in the last two minutes in which Jake took over, he backed down into the mid-range area as he did Hakeem's "dream shake". Turning to the right then to the left he jumped up but was shocked to see another defender with hands up at the last second.
But ignoring this, he swished the ball right into the hoop. Now leading by three with only 1 minute left, Jake played great defense on his marker. But Bronny James sank a three pointer in the corner, with the score now even, he asked for the ball. Dribbling down the court he was guarded by Bronny James, who was the "King's" son, Lebron James.
With Lebron in attendance all the pressure was on them, backing down Bronny he found it difficult to shake him off as he stuck with him. A crossover, a hesi yet Bronny didn't budge, with nothing else he tried Tim Hardaway's "Killer Crossover". Between the legs then switching the ball to his other hand quickly this gave Jake separation as he attempted a jumpshot, despite his body leaning to the right he sunk the jumper. Looking back he saw Lebron James nodding up and down while looking right at him.
Looking at the score with a minute left, the board showed his team leading by 2. As Sierra Canyon winded down the clock, Max contested Bronny for a layup which saw him foul the athletic guard. He swished the first free throw but missed the second, now with only thirty seconds on the clock, Bronny Guarded him once more.
From the coast all the way to the three point line Bronny guarded him like an eagle chasing its prey. Jake did a hesi but the ball was poked out of bounds as his team retained possession. Once more he asked for the ball, this time he winded down the clock.
15 seconds
Jake went to his right and switched back to his left, and with Bronny still with him he spun around the young man. Dribbling a few times he looked for options.
10 seconds
With time on the clock he had no choice, with three defenders desperately wanting to foul him he stepped back and jumped. As if time slowed he felt a hand slapping his arm as he went for the shot, this altered the ball, as it bounced up and down the rim. Until it went in, and a whistle to indicate the foul.
With this the crowd went crazy, Lebron sat his face showing a "not bad" look. Meanwhile, Jake did D'lo Russel's celebration. "Ice in my veins", as D'lo liked to call it.
Walking to the line he saw that the game was over, 8 seconds left with a three point lead, the score showed 58-55. Doing his routine he breathed in and out, releasing the ball as it swished on the hoop. As Sierra Canyon took a timeout, he listened to his coach.
"8 seconds left, we lead by four so we got this in the back. Remember ya'll, don't foul! We in foul trouble now! So we don't need no foul or free throws. Jared! Mark Bronny, don't let him get near the basket!" The coach shouted, his players looked tired but determined. As the whistle sounded indicating play resumed, the coach once again reminded them not to foul.
Once the ball was resumed, Jake gave every ounce of his remaining energy. As if this was the last 8 seconds of his life, he didn't want to let go of this feeling. The ball in his hands, the sound of the net, and the sweat running down his body. He doesn't want to lose this feeling anymore.
As the ball bounced on the floor, Jake stayed focus, the ball on the hands of Bronny. Passing to the open player in the corner, shooting the three he missed. Jake boxed out, palming the ball he hugged it so no player can get it. With this the game was over, the players yelled in celebration.The home students ran to the court as the celebrations started.
As everything settled down the State Trophy was given to Centennial High school. And that wasn't all!
"Now, being awarded California Mr. Basketball! Number 16, Jake Mendoza!"
Jake received the award humbly. Though he received the award in his past life, he still felt amazed and flabbergasted. As the celebrations finished, his team held a secret party. With drinks, girls, food and even booze. He celebrated along, though containing himself. Avoiding getting drunk and the temptation of the girls.
Getting home he took a quick bath and brushed his teeth, finally he lay down back unto bed. He still couldn't believe that this was real, as he closed his eyes everything turned dark.
Now in April, he was invited to the Mcdonald's All-American game, with his uniform ready he smiled.
"This is my comeback!"
***
A little information about our MC:
His name is Jake Mendoza, he's currently 17 and standing at 6'7 with shoes and 6'6 without shoes. He weighs at 210 KG, has short wavy hair and in the class of 2022 he is a 5 star recruit ranked number 6 in the country.
Jake is a full blooded Filipino, he was raised in the Philippines until he was 7, this was when his family had decided to move to the USA with all their other relatives. Now in America, this is where he flourished in basketball.
His journey to fame began as a viral sensation when he was 12, scoring 54 points in a middle school basketball game got the attention of the basketball world. Now he is ready to make his mark in the NCAA basketball world.