Chapter 27: The Kansas Jayhawks’ Team Basketball
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That afternoon, after finalizing the endorsement contract, Wang Song boarded the evening flight out of New York, heading for Louisiana.
**New Orleans.**
Before Hurricane Katrina struck in 2005, this city was undoubtedly the most prosperous in Louisiana. Known as the "Hollywood of the South," New Orleans was a hub for food, theater, and cinema.
As a vibrant international metropolis, New Orleans boasted a bustling nightlife.
As soon as their flight landed, the youthful North Carolina Wolfpack players were already buzzing with excitement, eager to hit the city's famous bars and immerse themselves in the local nightlife.
Sitting to the side, Wang Song, with his headphones on, glanced at the lively group before turning his gaze to the window. Nightlife wasn't his thing.
If there was something that piqued his interest about New Orleans, it was its food—particularly his first impression of the place: **New Orleans-style chicken wings!**
Bars could wait, but a good meal couldn't. If not for the packed March Madness schedule, Wang Song would have insisted on sampling the local delicacies at every stop.
Unexpectedly, Julius Hodge expressed interest in joining him, declaring his love for chicken wings.
"Julius, what have you been eating all this time?" Wang Song asked with a mocking glance.
"Wang, are you telling me chicken wings aren't the best food on earth?"
**"Tch."** Wang Song shook his head, determined to treat Hodge to authentic Chinese food after March Madness ended. Maybe a taste of real cuisine would turn this fast-food enthusiast into a believer. Who knew? If Hodge didn't make it to the NBA, he might even end up boosting the domestic CBA league.
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Meanwhile, as the Wolfpack departed the airport, another flight landed shortly after.
Two men disembarked: one an elderly gentleman, walking with a commanding stride, and the other a younger man, slightly behind him.
"Mr. Randy, is our objective here still singular?"
Randy Pfund nodded but then paused briefly.
"John, Dwyane Wade is a talent like no other. His playstyle and on-court demeanor scream the kind of foundation we dream of for Miami."
Pfund's voice trembled slightly as he spoke, betraying his excitement.
John looked regretful but asked, "Sir, are you still dismissing that Asian big man?"
Pfund stopped, turning to face John.
"Wang Song's recent performances have been commendable. The North Carolina Wolfpack wouldn't have made the Final Four without him. He even won the MVP in the finals!"
"Word is the Knicks are already in talks to draft him with their first-round pick…"
But Pfund raised his hand, signaling for silence.
John had to suppress his frustration. Discovering Wang Song first, only to see another team snatch him away, left a bitter taste.
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**Game Day.**
Pfund and John arrived early at the venue for the NCAA Final Four: the **Mercedes-Benz Superdome.**
Capable of hosting 72,000 fans, this enormous arena surpassed most NBA venues in size and was reserved for games as prestigious as the NCAA Final Four.
Despite its vast capacity, the venue was packed to the brim with enthusiastic fans.
The game on the docket was a clash between the **Kansas Jayhawks** and the **Marquette Golden Eagles**—a matchup worthy of its lofty title, evoking imagery of a battle of the skies.
But the real draw was the rosters:
Kansas boasted three players ranked in the top 25 of the RSCI, each projected to be at least a first-round NBA draft pick. Two others ranked in the top 100, making the entire starting lineup NBA-caliber players.
This dominance had Kansas pegged as the heavy favorite to win it all.
On the other side stood Marquette, led by their superstar Dwyane Wade. Fresh off a 30-point explosion in the regional finals, Wade had single-handedly carried Marquette past top-seeded Kentucky in a stunning upset.
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From the opening tip, the game showcased a breathtaking level of basketball.
Dwyane Wade wasted no time making his presence felt, executing a lethal triple-threat move to blow past defenders and finish with a dazzling **2+1** at the rim.
Moments later, he intercepted a pass and converted another fast-break layup, giving Marquette a quick **5-point lead** in under 20 seconds.
In the stands, Pfund was electrified.
Turning to John, he exclaimed, "Look closely, John! This is exactly the kind of guard Miami needs!"
John nodded, impressed. While Wade wasn't the low-post stabilizer Wang Song was, his explosive style made him a solid first-round pick.
But Kansas wasn't about to back down. Led by senior forward Nick Collison, they relentlessly attacked Marquette's defense, exploiting their interior weaknesses.
When Wade encountered double-teams, Marquette turned to their second option, point guard Travis Diener, known for his sharpshooting. However, after sinking an early three-pointer, Diener's touch deserted him, leaving Marquette's offense floundering.
Meanwhile, Kansas executed their plays with clinical precision. Their balanced offense and NBA-level ball movement overwhelmed Marquette, resulting in a stunning **59-30 lead at halftime.**
The arena buzzed with disbelief. Even the most ardent Wade fans, like Pfund, were left cradling their heads in dismay.
The second half saw Wade return with renewed energy. Slashing through defenders and knocking down jumpers, he sparked a **7-0 run** to close the gap.
But Kansas, ever adaptive, adjusted their tactics during a timeout. Regaining their rhythm, they quashed Marquette's momentum.
Despite Wade's valiant effort—including playing through cramps—the gap was insurmountable.
The game ended in a resounding victory for Kansas, their team basketball prevailing over Wade's individual brilliance.
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**(End of Chapter)**