Chapter 46: The Strongest Insider of the 1996 Generation—No Suspense for the No. 1 Pick?
Coach Dave Odom stood outside the locker room, a thoughtful expression on his face as he processed the whirlwind of emotions swirling through the Wake Forest team. Tim Duncan, his star player, had given it his all, but Alex Mo had proven to be a different beast entirely.
"Coach," Duncan's calm voice cut through Odom's thoughts. "I've made my decision."
Odom nodded, already anticipating Duncan's words. "You're staying."
A small, determined smile played on Duncan's lips. "Yes. I need to fulfill my promise to my mother. And next year, I'll come back stronger."
Odom patted Duncan on the back, relieved. "I support you, Tim. One more year. We'll take another shot at the championship."
Duncan's decision sent ripples through the basketball world. With him out of the draft equation, one thing became clear—Alex Mo was now the undisputed top prospect of the 1996 class.
That night on ESPN, the discussion revolved around one question: Is there any doubt that Alex Mo is the strongest big man of the 1996 generation?
The panelists were unanimous in their praise:
"Look, Tim Duncan is a generational talent, no doubt. But Alex Mo? This kid dominated Camby and then went toe-to-toe with Duncan. He's the best big man of this class, hands down."
"Mo's numbers are nearly identical to Duncan's, but what stands out is how he elevates his team," another analyst added. "He avenged last year's loss to Wake Forest, and Georgetown is heading to the finals. That matters."
"Let's face it," a third expert chimed in, "The 1996 No. 1 pick is all but locked up. Mo Ran is 7-foot-1, moves like a gazelle, and jumps out of the gym. The Celtics need him."
And indeed, the Boston Celtics had made no secret of their tanking strategy. The historic franchise was in desperate need of a franchise player, and with their woeful record, they were all but guaranteed the top pick.
However, the Celtics' head coach M.L. Kyle played it cool.
"We're considering all options," Kyle told reporters. "Our focus is on players like Iverson and Marbury."
Auerbach, ever the mastermind, wasn't about to tip his hand. The Green Army was all-in on Mo Ran, but they weren't going to show their cards too soon.
Meanwhile, back in China, CCTV was basking in the unprecedented success of their live NCAA coverage. The semi-final matchup between Georgetown and Wake Forest had shattered viewership records, ranking among the top five most-watched sports broadcasts in the network's history.
Mo fever had officially taken hold in China.
Chapter 47: CCTV Interview—A Kiss for the History Books
With the NCAA finals looming, the Georgetown team arrived in New York and checked into their hotel, ready for the biggest game of their college careers. Meanwhile, the media frenzy around Alex Mo reached fever pitch.
While ESPN focused on their exclusive coverage of Kentucky, CCTV had only one target in mind—Alex Mo.
CCTV had pulled every string to arrange an exclusive pre-final interview at Madison Square Garden. It was the first time a Chinese player had ever reached the NCAA finals, and they weren't about to let the opportunity slip away.
In the heart of the arena, under the glaring spotlights, Mo met with veteran commentator Zhang Lili and a young, eager reporter, Su Qun.
"Mo Ran, it's an honor," Zhang Lili greeted him with a warm smile.
Mo, dressed in his Georgetown warm-up gear, grinned. "The honor's mine, sir. I grew up watching you guys."
The cameras rolled, and Su Qun dived straight into the tough questions.
"Mo Ran, as a Chinese player in the American basketball scene, have you ever faced discrimination or challenges because of your nationality?"
Mo scratched his chin thoughtfully. "Honestly? I was prepared for it when I first got here. I expected the usual stereotypes. But, to be real, from day one, my teammates and coaches have treated me with respect. I haven't faced any unfair treatment."
Su Qun raised an eyebrow. "Really? None at all?"
Mo laughed. "I think it's because I made sure to dominate early. When you're dunking over people, they tend to shut up pretty quick."
What Mo didn't mention was the intimidation factor. His monstrous physique and aggressive playing style made even the most hardened players think twice before talking trash. From the day he shattered the backboard in the North Carolina warm-up game, he had commanded respect.
The interview shifted to the upcoming final.
"Facing Kentucky," Zhang Lili said, "How do you feel about your chances?"
Mo's eyes lit up with confidence. "We're ready. They've got a deep roster, but we've got AI, we've got chemistry, and we're not backing down."
Before wrapping up, Su Qun had one final request. "Mo, could you show our viewers something special? Something they haven't seen before?"
Mo grinned and looked around the court. He took a few steps back, cracked his neck, and then, without warning, exploded off the ground in a standing jump.
WHOOSH.
The arena fell silent as Mo's massive frame ascended. He tilted his head mid-air and, with a playful smirk, planted a kiss on the rim before landing gracefully.
The CCTV crew gasped in unison.
Su Qun's jaw dropped. "Did… did you get that?!"
The cameraman, still stunned, gave a shaky thumbs up.
Zhang Lili chuckled. "Xiao Su, I think we just recorded a piece of history."
The footage of Alex Mo's "kiss the rim" stunt quickly went viral in China, becoming an instant classic. Fans flooded social media with awe and admiration, nicknaming him the "Celestial Giant."
As Mo and Georgetown prepared for the NCAA championship game, one thing was clear—whether they won or lost, Alex Mo had already cemented his place in basketball history.