Will You Play for Me?

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As Leslie and Butler walked away from the basketball court, Leslie was still fuming but gradually calmed down, gently pulling his hand free from Butler's grasp. He understood that his friend had made the right call by avoiding a fight; if they had retaliated, the consequences would have been severe.

Even though they lived in Tomball, a rough neighborhood, they were careful not to cross paths with the young gang members who roamed the area.

"Jimmy, just now—" Leslie began, but he stopped short when he noticed Butler walking with his head down, staring at the ground. His friend looked defeated.

"I should go back and settle things with that guy!" Leslie said, anger rising again.

"Leslie, Banks was right," Butler sighed heavily. "There really isn't a school willing to offer me a scholarship."

"No, there's always a way—" Leslie started to reassure him, but his words felt hollow. He knew the truth. Butler had been living with Leslie's family for over a year, ever since his own mother had kicked him out. Leslie had witnessed firsthand how much Jimmy poured into basketball, but despite his passion, Butler's talent didn't seem to stand out enough.

Jimmy had only earned a 2-star rating from scouts and was ranked outside the top 1,200 high school prospects in the U.S., not even cracking the top 50 in Texas. His high school coach, Brad Ball, had reached out to more than 60 colleges, pleading on Butler's behalf. But no school was willing to offer him a scholarship.

They walked in silence for a while before Butler broke it: "I've been thinking... I could go to a junior college first. If I play well enough, maybe a Division I school will notice me, and I can transfer."

Leslie nodded slowly. "That's a possibility, but it's a tough road. Your grades aren't bad—you could apply to a university. Basketball isn't your only option."

Butler shook his head with quiet determination. "You know what I've been through, Leslie. During the darkest days of my life, I had no family, no friends—just basketball. It's the one thing that's always been there for me. Without it, I don't even know what life would mean."

Leslie fell silent. Butler wasn't like other people; basketball wasn't just a passion for him, it was a lifeline. He spent every moment outside of school and sleep on the court, training. In Leslie's eyes, no one worked harder than Butler—not even NBA stars.

Jimmy smiled brightly. "Leslie, I believe in myself. I'm not worse than anyone else. My goal is the NBA, and I know I'll make it. The NCAA is just the first step!"

"Alright," Leslie said, hitting Butler's chest playfully. "Whatever you decide, I've got your back!"

Butler grinned and playfully punched Leslie back. Their spirits lifted, the weight of their struggles seemed to fade, at least for a moment.

Just then, Butler noticed two men walking towards them.

"Hey, are you Jimmy Butler from Tomball Middle School?" one of the men, a young Asian man, asked politely.

"Yeah, what's this about?" Butler replied, puzzled. He didn't have any Asian friends, and yet this man seemed strangely familiar.

Leslie squinted at the man before his eyes widened in recognition. "Wait, are you… Coach G?"

"That's right," the young man said, smiling. "Jimmy, I'd like to invite you to join the Butler Bulldogs. I can offer you a full scholarship and a starting position."

The man was none other than Coach Liam Gonzalez. His words were calm, but to Butler, they hit like a thunderbolt.

"A full scholarship? For me?" Butler murmured in disbelief, as if he were dreaming.

…

At Leslie's house.

After confirming the purpose of Liam and assistant coach Matthew Graves' visit, Butler and Leslie eagerly invited them inside. The house was modest, just a simple suburban home.

Leslie's mother, Michelle Lambert, brought coffee for their guests before sitting down, looking somewhat nervous.

"You mean, you're offering Jimmy a full scholarship?" Michelle asked, still in shock.

Although Butler wasn't her biological son, Michelle had treated him like family ever since he'd come to live with them. She had been deeply worried about his future, especially since no college had shown interest.

"Yes," Liam nodded. "I believe in Jimmy. He's an exceptional player with great potential."

Matthew Graves took out official documents from his briefcase and handed them to Michelle. "These are our credentials, ma'am."

Michelle quickly glanced through them and returned them with a smile. "I don't follow the NCAA much, but Jimmy and Jordan do. They talk about you often... Thank you for believing in Jimmy, but it's up to him. I can't make that decision for him."

Liam smiled understandingly and turned to Butler. "Jimmy, I'm offering you a full scholarship. You've heard of Stephen Curry, right? He was rejected by many schools before he joined Butler. But after he joined our team, he became the NCAA's leading scorer."

Butler nodded enthusiastically. Curry's rise was well-known, and his story had inspired Butler countless times.

"But you also know we lost to Florida University in the Elite Eight," Liam continued. "Next season, we're aiming for the championship. I need you to help us with defense. If you don't meet my standards, you'll have to sit on the bench until you're ready. You'll be competing with older, more experienced players, and it might take time before you see the court."

"But," Liam added with a serious tone, "I promise you, if you meet my requirements, you'll be an important part of the team. You'll get a chance to play in March Madness and catch the eye of NBA scouts. So, think carefully. Are you willing to play for me?"

Butler took a deep breath. He didn't need to think long. "Yes! I'm not afraid of competition, Coach. My only worry has been not having the opportunity. I'm not the smartest, but I'm the hardest worker you'll find. If you give me this chance, I won't let you down!"

Liam looked directly into Butler's eyes and smiled. "Welcome to the Bulldogs!"

"Doesn't Jimmy need to try out?" Leslie whispered, confused.

His voice, though soft, echoed in the room, drawing everyone's attention. He quickly waved his hands. "Never mind, forget I said anything…"

The room filled with laughter, but both Butler and Michelle Lambert looked expectantly at Liam.

"I believe in Jimmy," Liam said confidently. "That's enough. At Butler, I make the final call."

End of this chapter

Note: This novel as you see I changed the name and nationality, as such is more complicated translate it I hope you support.

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