March 2013.
The playoffs felt different this year.
There was no hype video. No rousing pregame speech.
Just Michael, tightening his laces. Just teammates, following his silence.
The opponents knew what was coming. And they still couldn't stop it.
First round: 41 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists. Second round: 38 points, 6 steals, 5 dunks so violent they trended on Vine. Semifinals: 32 points, 10 rebounds, 4 blocks.
Every game was a blueprint shattered. Every crowd left stunned.
Michael wasn't playing high school basketball anymore. He was doing pro-level surgery with a scalpel carved from sweat and vengeance.
State Championship.
Same stage. Same opponent: Park Hill High.
But this time, they were ready.
Their defense shadowed Michael with two defenders. They face-guarded him full court. They rotated like a college team.
And still—he dictated every inch.
28 points. 8 assists. 4 steals. 2 game-sealing blocks.
Final score: 71–65.
Back-to-back state titles.
The crowd didn't storm the court this time. They just stood.
Watching. Recording. Remembering.
Michael walked off the floor, head high, sweat running down his temples.
[System Notification: Milestone Reached – Back-to-Back State Titles Achieved][Template Progress: 61.31% → 70.12%][New Trait Unlocked: Unshakable Aura I]
Reporters swarmed postgame.
"What now, Michael?"
"Where are you committing?"
He only answered one question:
"Do you think you're ready for the NBA?"
Michael smirked.
"I've been ready. The league's just late."
The next day, ESPN ran a graphic: "Is Michael Schmidt the best high school player ever?"
And beneath it, a highlight reel of his latest chase-down block.
Twitter exploded. Former players weighed in.
Even LeBron James tweeted: [@KingJames]: "👀 Next up. The kid's real."
Michael sat with his mom that evening. No cameras. No reporters.
"I think it's time to choose," he said.
She nodded. "You've earned the right to be loud."
He picked up the Howard cap.
Looked at it for a long second.
And smiled.