I'm not really a role player

Chapter 7 School Choice Decisions
"Is it my turn?"

Russell Springman, an assistant coach for the University of Texas Longhorns, oversees freshman recruiting.

Yesterday, in a happy mood, he just returned west from Washington, and the plane landed in Los Angeles.

I heard that UCLA organized a trial game, so I stopped by to investigate, and found a player that the Longhorns were desperately looking for.

He pushed Tim Freud away and stood in front of Li Ke.

Li Ke greeted: "Hello, sir."

"Hello, boy number 88, let me introduce myself first, Russell Spreeman..."

Floyd interrupted Spillman before he finished speaking: "Splitman of the Longhorns? Hey, you guy, you just took Kevin Durant from Washington, and now you're coming to snatch us from California?"

Kevin Durant?The University of Texas Longhorns?Li Ke's eyes lit up.

Spillman ignored the noisy Floyd and continued: "As the head coach of the University of Southern California said, we just won Kevin Durant, the second-highest high school student in the United States, and the 51st-ranked big center Dexter Pittman in the United States who has previously announced that we have joined. We have a large number of young talents in the new season, and everyone will usher in a new start."

"If you choose the Longhorns, I can't guarantee that you will be able to get the main position. What I can guarantee is that you will get a fair chance to compete."

"Of course, like USC, this is also an invitation for a full scholarship."

The University of Texas Longhorns, a member of the Division I Big Twelve.

Although they have never won March Madness in the past, the Longhorns have become a strong team in the Big [-] under coach Rick Barnes.

NBA players who have played for the team in recent years include Chris Mim, TJ Ford, Royal Ivey, Daniel Gibson, PJ Tucker and LaMarcus Aldridge.

This year's March Madness saw the Longhorns reach the Elite Eight after reaching the Sweet Sixteen three times in the previous four years.

Looking at the University of Southern California Trojans, Tim Floyd took over last year. With the outside combination of Nick Young and Gabby Pruitt, in the regular season of the Pacific Ten Schools League, they achieved a record of 8 wins and 10 losses, ranking only sixth.

In the subsequent regional championships, they were eliminated in the quarter-finals and missed March Madness.

Even counting back, Floyd’s predecessor Henry Bibby (Mike Bibby’s father) ruled the University of Southern California, and it has missed March Madness for three consecutive years.

Counting down to this point, how to choose seems to have no suspense.

But Li Ke still did not give an answer on the spot, but told Tim Floyd and Russell Spliman that he would make a decision after tonight and early tomorrow morning.

Both Tim Floyd and Russell Spliman also expressed their understanding. This is a major decision. No one will be hasty. One night's consideration time is a must.

"Sheldon, Sheldon!"

In the player channel, an excited Westbrook rushed to Li Ke, and the two embraced.

"I have received an invitation from UCLA. I will try out tomorrow. If I succeed, UCLA will give me a full scholarship!"

Li Ke, who is also full of excitement, can understand that Westbrook is about to touch his dream. It is impossible to say that he is not excited.

The difference is that Li Ke is very restrained, always just smiling, not so excited.

Not only is it caused by cultural differences, but part of the reason is that Li Ke knows very well that the NCAA is just the beginning...

"What about you, Sheldon, you played so well in this game, it's impossible for you to gain nothing."

"Two full scholarship offers, University of Southern California and University of Texas."

"USC? So you will stay in Los Angeles?"

"No, these two options, I prefer the University of Texas..."

Westbrook was silent, and Li Ke also knew that once he chose the University of Texas, he would say goodbye to the Westbrook family.

Parting is always sad.

"However, I will often go back to Los Angeles. I have lived here for four years, and Los Angeles is already my second home."

Westbrook nodded, smiled, and then hammered Li Ke on the chest with his fist: "Whether you choose USC or the University of Texas, we will be opponents in the NCAA next season. I hope we can meet in March Madness. UCLA will win!"

"No, Sheldon Lee must win!"

At the end of the game, Westbrook stayed in West Los Angeles, where UCLA is located, accompanied by old Westbrook and Aunt Horton, and only Leonard Westbrook, who still needs to go to school, was left at home.

Li Ke traveled across Los Angeles and returned to Westbrook's home in Long Beach.

He also brought home two tacos for a late-night snack for him and Leonard.

"So, Russell is basically determined to join UCLA, what about you, Sheldon?"

Leonard, who failed to go to West Los Angeles, kept pestering Li Ke and kept asking him questions. Li Ke almost finished describing the whole process of the game.

"USC and UT, I haven't made a decision yet."

"SoC, it's in Los Angeles."

Leonard seemed to want to make a decision for Li Ke, but Li Ke stretched his waist and shook his head: "I'm going to bed, and I'll make a decision tomorrow morning."

After sleeping like this all night, Li Ke, who woke up naturally the next morning, did not get up immediately, but lay on the bed and entered the system.

"James Harden: Friendly 2."

After fighting Harden last night, Li Ke only gained 2 favorability points, not even hostile points.

"There are so many NCAA colleges and universities. Even schools in the same league usually only have four or five head-to-head confrontations in a season. It is too difficult to use these four or five games to reach 80 hostility points. On the contrary, it is friendship. In one season, there is a great chance to reach 80 points."

After thinking about it in this way, there is no suspense about how to choose.

"Xiao Du's natural skills, and DJ Augustine..."

In order of priority, Li Ke called Tim Floyd first and declined USC's invitation.

Then contacted Russell Spleman and accepted the offer from the University of Texas.

"A warm welcome, Sheldon, and you will surely feel wise about your choice in the near future."

Russell Spliman gave Li Ke a brief welcome, and then told Li Ke how to go through the admission procedures and the key matters of admission, and everything was finalized.

After finishing the phone call, Li Ke turned over and got out of bed.

Pushing open the door, Leonard happened to be washing in the opposite bathroom.

"Have you made your choice?"

Li Ke nodded: "The University of Texas."

After a pause, he immediately added, "I'll be back in Los Angeles often."

Leonard didn't cry now, he just sniffled: "Well, Texas is not bad, at least, you and Russell don't have to be rivals."

"Not always."

"..."

Li Ke climbed up to the attic of Westbrook's house from a small gap above the passage on the second floor, then opened the skylight of the attic, and sat on the roof.

He took out his mobile phone and dialed the ocean line.

"Hey, Dad, it's me, Xiao Ke... The university has been chosen, and I'm going to Texas, no tuition fees... Yes, full scholarship... Is the specific address? It should be the Austin campus... Well, I won't go back during the holidays, you and Mom are at home, okay..."

After hanging up the phone, Li Ke let out a heavy breath.

(End of this chapter)