Liam Carter clutched his knees, his lungs screaming for air as he stood frozen on the court, staring at the rim. He was back at Duke University's practice gym, a place he hadn't stepped foot in for over a decadeāor so he thought.
The scent of polished hardwood mixed with the faint tang of sweat brought memories rushing back. His heart pounded, not from exertion but disbelief. This wasn't just any day. It was the day before Duke's first game of the 2016 NCAA season.
"How the hellā¦" he muttered, glancing down at his hands. No scars, no aches, no signs of the injury that had destroyed his career. His knees were strong. His body was young again. And then, in the corner of his vision, a faint glow appeared, drawing his attention.
[Welcome, Liam Carter. Basketball System Activated.]
[Mission: Prove Yourself]
Reward: Unlock 'Perfect Crossover' Skill]
[Penalty: Reduced Ball Handling Ability]
The words hovered in the air before vanishing just as quickly. He blinked, trying to make sense of what he had seen. Before he could fully process it, a familiar voice rang out, loud and commanding.
"Carter! Stop daydreaming and get on the line!"
It was Coach Bennett, Duke's fiery and uncompromising head coach. His bark was just as Liam remembered it, sharp enough to jolt him into motion.
Liam jogged to the baseline where the rest of the team was already lined up. His teammates gave him curious glances, though Jayson Tatum, the team's star forward, offered him a quick nod of acknowledgment. The whistle blew, and a five-on-five scrimmage began.
Liam started as the point guard, but everything felt off. The ball slipped just a little too much against his fingertips, his dribble lacking the precision he was used to. His first possession didn't help his confidence. He brought the ball up slowly, scanning the defense. His opponent, a wiry sophomore, stepped in close, smirking as he clapped his hands.
"You're the freshman everyone's hyped about? Show me something."
Liam didn't respond. He jab-stepped right, then drove left. His first step was quick, but the defender was quicker. Liam tried to spin to his right, but the ball fumbled out of his hands and rolled away. The sophomore snatched it, bolting down the court for an easy layup.
"Lock him up!" the defender shouted, grinning as he jogged back on defense.
Liam clenched his jaw, frustration bubbling. His movements felt sluggish, his handle clunky. The penalty the system mentioned was real, and it was costing him.
The next possession, Liam slowed things down. He dribbled deliberately, analyzing the defense. His man was aggressive, lunging slightly every time Liam shifted his weight. He called for a screen from Tatum, who set a solid pick. As his defender tried to recover, Liam hesitated, then crossed over sharply to his left.
It wasn't clean, but it was enough. He drove into the lane, drawing the attention of the defense. A quick bounce pass to Tatum followed, and the forward rose up for a two-handed dunk that rattled the rim.
"Good pass, Carter!" Coach Bennett yelled from the sidelines.
The game progressed, and Liam slowly adjusted. He played smarter, reading the defense instead of relying on raw skill. Still, his man stayed in his face, testing him on every possession. Liam's rhythm improved as he found ways to involve his teammates, but his confidence wasn't fully there.
With two minutes left and the game tied, the ball found its way back to Liam. His defender smirked, crouching low as the shot clock ticked down. "You're not getting past me," the sophomore said, eyes locked on Liam's every move.
Liam took a deep breath. He dribbled left, then right, testing his defender's reactions. The man bit hard on a feint, and Liam took his chance. He planted his left foot and launched into a crossover.
It was seamless. The ball moved like it was on a string, sliding past the defender's reach as Liam shifted to his right. His man stumbled, momentarily losing his footing. Liam pulled up from the free-throw line, releasing a smooth jumper.
The ball arced through the air, the gym holding its breath as it descended. Swish.
"Now that's what I'm talking about!" Coach Bennett shouted, clapping as the gym erupted.
The final minutes played out with Liam directing traffic, setting up teammates for easy buckets, and locking down on defense. When the whistle blew, signaling the end of the scrimmage, Liam collapsed onto the bench, drenched in sweat but smiling faintly.
In the corner of his vision, the system flashed again.
[Mission Complete: Perfect Crossover Unlocked.]
[New Mission: Win Your First NCAA Game.]
Liam leaned back against the wall, his breathing finally slowing. The road ahead was long, filled with challenges he couldn't yet see. But he wasn't just any freshman. He had a second chance, and he wasn't going to waste it.