After the game with the University of Louisville, Zeng Xingyang returned to his normal training routine.
The NCAA games aren't as frequent as the NBA, usually happening once every four or five days, allowing players plenty of time to rest.
Zeng Xingyang's training focus remains on shooting and defense, areas he continually needs to improve upon, and he won't slack off.
After playing some impressive games, Zeng Xingyang is becoming more famous on campus. Occasionally, as he walks down the school path, some classmates recognize him, asking for photos and autographs.
This feeling of being a bit famous is something Zeng Xingyang very much enjoys. It's a feeling of being the center wherever he goes, as if the world revolves around him.
"No wonder everyone likes being famous." Zeng Xingyang sighed.
Fame can be addictive.
In the upcoming month, the Wildcats have 8 games to play. His playing time should increase in these games, so he needs to seize these opportunities.
If you want to seize opportunities, then train like crazy.
....
The NBABigBoard draft website was created by a former ESPN staff member and has significant influence across the US.
In the latest NBA draft projections for next year, Zeng Xingyang made the list for the first time, projected to be selected 59th in the second round.
Being on this list doesn't necessarily mean being selected, but it does indicate the level of attention a player is receiving.
"Hey, Zeng, according to this website's predictions, you'll be picked next year." Koulistan read out the latest draft pick predictions in the locker room while holding an iPad.
The Wildcats have quite a few players on this draft prediction list. NCAA students can't take endorsements or shoot commercials, so everyone hopes to make it to the NBA and achieve a leap in status.
In this draft prediction, Towns is first, Koulistan is ninth, Booker is eleventh, Lyles is fourteenth, Dakari Johnson is thirty-fifth, Tyler Ulis is forty-eighth, and Zeng Xingyang is fifty-ninth....
"What's the use of being in the second round, there's no guaranteed contract. Aim for the first round instead." Towns said, patting Zeng Xingyang on the shoulder with a smile.
Towns has seen Zeng Xingyang's hard work and progress firsthand. He greatly admires Zeng Xingyang, believing that if he started like Zeng Xingyang, he might have given up already.
"Yeah, the second round is so dull, first round is much better." Koulistan said.
"I'll do my best." Zeng Xingyang replied with a smile.
These two just talk easily without experiencing the pain.
If big men have enough talent, the NBA is more willing to develop them.
For perimeter players, talent is just one aspect; technical skills are also very important.
The competition among perimeter players is also more intense.
"They only ranked me eleventh, this website is terrible. That D'Angelo Russell is even ranked ahead of me at second. I could destroy him on the court; they have no vision." Booker said indignantly.
"I also think he's not in the same league as you." Zeng Xingyang said.
In Zeng Xingyang's memory, Russell was picked second by the Lakers in his past life. Compared to his draft position, he seemed a bit useless.
Russell could barely handle some regular season low-intensity games, but he fell apart in the playoffs.
Meanwhile, Booker performed much better than him in the NBA, already being one of the league's best shooting guards in his past life.
"Haha, Zeng, I like your judgment." Booker said, patting Zeng Xingyang on the shoulder. Booker found Zeng Xingyang's words very pleasing.
...
Leaving the locker room and walking out of the arena, Zeng Xingyang called his father, Zeng Hua.
After sharing his recent situation with his father, he informed him about being included in the draft prediction.
"Being projected at 59th is a really quick progress, Xiao Yang, don't let being on that prediction list make you arrogant. Predictions don't mean being drafted, you still need to walk every step steadily."
"Coach Calipari has given you a lot of opportunities, be grateful, play hard on the court, listen to the coach's instructions, and after games in the locker room, get along well with your teammates."
...
"Got it, Dad."
Zeng Xingyang listened to his father's nagging without feeling annoyed; instead, he felt more patient.
Now he better understands the difficulties his parents face.
He knows that parents willing to give everything they have to help their child's dream are rare.
Zeng Xingyang highly values his current family, which is also what he holds dear.
He wants to make his family's life better.
After listening to his father for a while, Zeng Xingyang asked, "How's Xingyu's performance recently?"
His brother Zeng Xingyu is two years younger, in his second year of high school at a top school in the city.
"Still the same, top ten in the grade, but recently showing signs of early romance, he has many love letters in his desk drawer, your mom is quite worried."
"He always sees you as a role model, talk to him more when you're free, he listens to you better."
"Okay."
After hanging up his dad's call, Zeng Xingyang called his brother Zeng Xingyu.
After understanding the situation, Zeng Xingyang found out it was just some flirtatious interactions between his brother and a female classmate; their parents exaggerated the situation.
Zeng Xingyang just advised him not to let dating affect his studies and didn't give him a lecture.
His brother has his own freedom and life, as long as he's not led astray, it's fine.
.....
December 14th.
The University of Kentucky went to an away game against the University of Missouri.
The University of Missouri Tigers are also a strong NCAA team, having reached the region finals (Elite Eight) of the NCAA Tournament six times and won 15 division championships.
However, this year their team lacks players with NBA prospects, and there is still a gap compared to Kentucky, an extremely top-tier team.
The game started at 6 PM that evening, and Zeng Xingyang entered at 8 minutes and 11 seconds after the game began.
"Zeng received a breakthrough pass from Devin, there's an opening on the right side, quick release, three-pointer made."
"Zeng's offense has been good in the past few games, let's see if he can continue his previous touch tonight."
"Koulistan set a screen for Zeng at the top arc, Tyler Ulis passed the ball to Zeng, Zeng's jump shot three-pointer, oh, it was just off, just a little bit."
"University of Missouri's fast break, Zeng quickly returns on defense to interfere, stopped it, controlled the rebound, beautiful defense."
"Tyler Ulis broke through and passed to Devin, Devin passed to Zeng, Zeng drew the defense and threw the ball high into the sky, Koulistan completed the alley-oop dunk."
...
"The first half ended, the University of Kentucky showed their strength, consistently pressuring the University of Missouri on both ends, leading by 15 points at half-time. Zeng Xingyang's performance was decent, with 6 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block."
"Karl-Anthony Towns and Devin Booker created lots of opportunities for Kentucky's perimeter, Zeng just needs to take advantage of these."
"Alright, the second half has started."
....
The University of Missouri didn't pose much trouble for the University of Kentucky, and Kentucky secured the win easily.
In the second half against the opponent's lax defense, Zeng Xingyang raised his personal score to 16 points, additionally grabbing 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block, showcasing his versatility.
"The University of Kentucky Wildcats achieved a 5-game winning streak, mostly winning by a large margin, showcasing their tremendous strength."
"Calipari himself admitted that the Chinese player Zeng Xingyang has secured a spot in the team's rotation, perhaps next summer we'll see another Chinese player in the NBA."
On the forum of Penguin Sports, some veteran fans reposted some post-game reports of NCAA from abroad.
The name Zeng Xingyang is becoming more known among domestic veteran fans.
......
Asking for recommendation votes and monthly votes.