Opening Scene – Branding StormThe world was watching.
Since the Miami commitment and the viral "Reaper Rises" mixtape, Kyle's phone hadn't stopped buzzing.
Emails. Agent calls. Sponsorship offers.
Nike offered him a NIL deal: $500,000 upfront, with performance incentives.
Jordan Brand pitched a personalized "Reaper" colorway to be worn during his first game at The U.
Under Armour came with a full marketing campaign and lifestyle package—shoes, clothes, appearances.
Marcus, Ari, and Kyle sat in the Summit Ridge media room, staring at contracts on a screen.
Ari tapped the folder in front of her.
"These are all legit. You could take any of them and be set for the next five years."
Kyle leaned back, chewing on a pen.
"Yeah… but I didn't come this far to wear someone else's name."
Marcus raised an eyebrow.
"You serious?"
Kyle looked at Ari.
"I want to build my own brand."
"You trying to go Lonzo Ball and Big Baller Brand?"
"Nah," Kyle grinned. "I'm trying to go Kyonic."
Silence.
Then Ari blinked.
"Kyonic?"
"Kyle. Iconic. My middle name's Dion. Kyonic."
"That sounds… kinda fire."
Scene 2 – The Announcement That Shook the CultureThe next morning, Kyle posted a single black-and-white video on his socials.
No words. Just:
"I said I wouldn't wear another man's name. So I made my own."
#KYONIC
Coming Soon.
The internet exploded.
"He turned down NIKE?!"
"This kid got BALLS."
"Jordan's gonna be PISSED."
Bleacher Report reposted the video with the headline:
"Kyle Wilson Goes Solo: Launches Own Brand at 17"
Every major sports outlet picked it up.
Suddenly, Kyle wasn't just a player.
He was a brand.
Practice – The Price of IndependenceBut not everyone was cheering.
Back at Summit Ridge, Kyle's teammates were noticeably colder.
During drills, passes didn't come as quick.
Screens weren't set for him like they used to be.
One player—Terrance, a 4-star PG with D1 interest—bumped Kyle hard during a rebounding drill.
Kyle stumbled back, catching himself on one leg.
"My bad," Terrance said, grinning.
Kyle looked up, jaw tight.
"We playin' ball or takin' cheap shots?"
"Nah, we just tryna keep up with Mr. Billion Dollar Kyonic."
Laughter from the sidelines.
Marcus saw it all from the sideline.
"Enough," he barked. "Run it back. Again."
Ari's First Day – Internship HellMeanwhile, Ari walked into the office of her new internship with confidence—and was met with condescension.
The sports agency was sleek, glass-walled, high-rise.
But the energy was off.
Her assigned supervisor, a man in his 30s with gelled hair and fake charm, handed her a stack of folders.
"I know Kyle's your little boyfriend or whatever, but around here we deal with real clients."
Ari's jaw clenched.
"I'm not here because of Kyle. I'm here because I know how to do my damn job."
"Cute. File these first, then maybe I'll let you proof a draft email."
She took the folders without a word.
Later, in the bathroom, she stared in the mirror.
"I didn't come here to be someone's coffee girl."
Marcus and Kyle Talk – Mentor ModeThat evening, Marcus sat down with Kyle after weights.
"You sure about this Kyonic move?"
"I am."
"It's brave. But brave gets punished in this world. Especially when you're young and Black."
Kyle looked him in the eye.
"I'd rather fail building something real than win wearing someone else's dream."
Marcus smiled faintly.
"Then get ready. They're gonna come for you."
Locker Room Tension – The Boil OverAfter another scrimmage, where Kyle's defensive rotations were less than perfect thanks to miscommunication, Terrance confronted him in the locker room.
"You think because you got a deal you don't need to pass the ball?"
"I pass to who moves."
"You pass to your ego."
"You mad 'cause I don't wear Nike? Or 'cause I'm not afraid to lead?"
"You ain't leading nobody but a damn hype train, bro."
The two went chest to chest.
Players gathered.
Ari walked in—catching the end of it.
"You two done measuring?" she said sharply.
Everyone turned.
"Kyle," she added. "Coach upstairs."
"Why?"
"They want to talk about your announcement."
Scene – Kyle and the CoachCoach Montgomery, the Summit Ridge head coach, was a no-BS ex-pro.
He wasn't smiling.
"You dropped a nuclear bomb on your profile today."
"You mean the brand?"
"I mean the circus. Every scout called me today. They love your game. Hate your headlines."
Kyle stayed calm.
"I'm not asking anyone to like it. Just respect it."
The coach sighed.
"This ain't the league, Kyle. This is still school. You want to build an empire? Do it. But don't bring the kingdom down with you."
"Understood."
"Good. Now go earn that logo. On the court."
Late Night – Ari and Kyle, Real TalkThat night, Kyle and Ari sat in the dorm common room.
Lights low. Phones off. Just them.
"You had a rough day," she said, laying her head on his chest.
"Yeah."
"You regret the brand?"
"No. But I hate what it does to the team."
"You didn't change. They did."
"You think Kyonic's too much?"
She leaned up.
"Kyle… you've been too much since the day I met you. That's why I love you."
"Even if I lose it all?"
"You won't."
"And if I do?"
She smiled, kissed him.
"Then we build it all again. Brick by brick."
Final Scene – Kyonic PrototypeKyle opened a package Ari handed him.
Inside: a prototype pair of Kyonic Ones.
Black and gray.
Sharp lines.
On the tongue: a silver imprint of a tethered flame—a tribute to his mother.
Kyle held them like a newborn.
"They real now."
Ari whispered:
"So are you."