NBA: Basketball Legend.

Chapter 43: Chapter 43 – MOP! Announces Participation in the NBA Draft!

Chapter 43 – MOP! Announces Participation in the NBA Draft!

”We are the champions!!!”

”We are the champions!!!”

As colorful ribbons rained down like snowflakes and fans roared from the stands, the Texas Longhorns stormed the center court, celebrating in an all-out frenzy.

March Madness had pushed them to their physical and mental limits—relentless training, back-to-back high-pressure games, and nonstop media scrutiny. The pressure had been crushing.

But now, with the championship in hand, it all came bursting out in a wave of euphoria—yells, hugs, tears, and laughter.

Mid-celebration, Durant glanced around and paused.

”Huh? Where’s Chen Yan?”

Turning quickly, his eyes widened.

”Yo, what the hell—Chen!”

There he was—Chen Yan had completely ditched the team and was off celebrating with the cheerleaders, laughing and goofing off like he’d just won the lottery. The arena camera caught the moment perfectly, projecting his smiling face onto the jumbotron. The crowd went wild.

Chen Yan grinned like a kid at recess.

”I’ve played game after game, got the dub every time—what’s wrong with enjoying the moment?”

Still, fun was fun. After a few laughs, Chen Yan composed himself and made his way toward head coach Rick Barnes.

”Coach Rick,” he said, standing tall, ”thank you for believing in me.”

Rick Barnes had handed him the reins during March Madness—granted him the green light, the offensive keys, and the tactical freedom to run the floor however he saw fit. Just weeks ago, Chen had been a benchwarmer, a fringe player. It took guts to take that chance.

But Barnes just smiled. ”No, Chen—I should be the one thanking you.”

They’d placed their trust in each other, and that trust had paid off with a championship.

Under the flashing cameras, player and coach embraced—master and protégé, side by side after reaching the mountaintop. It was a moment that moved fans across the country.

Then came the tradition.

The Texas players grabbed the scissors and began cutting down the net—an NCAA tradition dating back to 1947, when North Carolina’s legendary coach Everett Case cut the net to celebrate a Southern Conference title. Since then, every champion has done the same.

The Texas squad made it fun. As soon as the final piece came down, they looped the net around Chen Yan’s neck like a gold medal.

On the sideline, Oden and Conley could only shake their heads in disappointment. That moment—cutting the net, basking in the win—was supposed to be theirs.

In the tunnel, Ohio State head coach Thad Matta placed a hand on their shoulders. ”Get some rest. A new journey begins tomorrow.”

Both players nodded. Their NCAA run was over, but they had already declared for the NBA Draft. The dream was just getting started.

---

Outside the arena, chaos erupted.

The moment Texas won its first-ever NCAA championship, the entire student body exploded with excitement. Students poured out of dorms and packed the square in front of the gym. Police tried to maintain order, but were quickly overrun.

Glass shattered. Trash cans flew. Even some walls were cracked from the madness. Texas fans had gone completely wild.

Authorities had anticipated some mayhem and positioned officers around campus—but clearly, they underestimated how hard the fans would party. Reinforcements were rushed in to calm the storm.

Ironically, Ohio State fans were also breaking stuff—but theirs came from heartbreak, not celebration.

---

Back inside the arena, the Texas players had swapped jerseys for custom championship tees and team-logo hats. It was time for the award ceremony.

The host ran through the Longhorns’ underdog journey, capping it with the 91–69 blowout win over Ohio State. As he declared Texas the 2007 NCAA Champions, the arena erupted again.

A wheeled cart carried out the championship trophy, shining under the lights.

The Texas players were already crowding around, bouncing with excitement.

”Longhorns, baby! CHAMPS!”

”Let’s GO!”

As the chants rumbled through the stands, Chen Yan and Durant stepped forward and raised the trophy high—the symbol of college basketball supremacy.

”Ka-ka-ka-ka!”

Cameras snapped like crazy, freezing this historic moment forever.

Every Texas player in that photo was smiling wide. Maybe most of them wouldn’t make the league. But tonight? Tonight, they were kings.

Years from now, they’d show their kids that photo and say:

”I was there. I played with Chen Yan and Kevin Durant. We won it all.”

---

With the trophy raised, it was time for the final individual award—MOP, Most Outstanding Player.

Durant had bounced back strong with 22 points, erasing doubts from the previous game. But let’s be real—everyone in the building knew who the MOP was going to be.

The Texas players shoved Chen Yan forward.

”Quit acting shy, bro. Go get your flowers!”

”MOP!”

”MOP!”

”MOP!”

The crowd chanted in unison as Chen Yan raised the MOP trophy. His legend had officially begun.

”Let’s give it up for Chen Yan, this year’s NCAA MOP!”

On CCTV5, the Chinese commentators were buzzing.

”MOP stands for Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four—kind of like the Finals MVP in the NBA,” one explained for the local audience. ”And tonight, no one deserves it more than Chen.”

When the mic was passed to Chen Yan for his speech, he kept it short and classy.

He thanked his parents, his teammates, his coaches, the university, and the fans. Three minutes tops—no fluff, just respect.

Then came the big question.

”Chen,” the host asked with a grin, ”now that you’ve conquered college hoops, will you enter this year’s NBA Draft?”

Until now, Chen had kept quiet about his draft plans. Not because he lacked confidence, but because he wanted to stay locked in on the championship.

But now?

Now the world was listening.

Chen took the mic and smiled.

”I’ll be declaring for this year’s NBA Draft—and I’m bringing my talent to the league.”

The arena erupted again—but this time, it wasn’t just celebration.

”ONE MORE YEAR! ONE MORE YEAR!”

Texas fans were desperate to keep him.

They chanted, pleaded, begged for one last ride.

But they knew the truth.

Chen was now projected top 3 in the draft. Staying in college would be pointless. The NCAA had nothing left to offer him.

What he needed now was the NBA spotlight—and more honor points.

Chen turned to the Texas fan section, waved, and blew a kiss.

”I’ll miss y’all,” he said, eyes full of gratitude.

And they understood.

No matter where he went next, Chen Yan would always be a Longhorn. He had earned their love, and now he had their blessing to chase greatness.

His college career ended there—in triumph.

Next stop:

The NBA.

A new Chapter begins.

Check my Pâtreon for (40) advanced Chapters

Pâtreon .com/Fanficlord03

Change (â) to (a)

https://discord