Chapter 12: On Fire

Hansen happily jumped down from the technical platform.

At that very moment, the system's "haters value" had skyrocketed.

Since there was no opportunity to attract haters before the game, why not create a big opportunity during the game!

After jumping down, Hansen and his teammates celebrated wildly, and Tois squeezed his way to Hansen's front.

Although he was still incredibly excited, he managed to contain his emotions and signaled with his eyes for Hansen to look behind.

Following Tois's gaze, Hansen turned his head in confusion only to find that the floor behind him was littered with numerous unfinished bottles of mineral water.

Being showy might not get you struck by lightning, but it will surely get you beaten up.

After returning to the locker room, Hansen received a "shower" from his teammates' mineral water bottles.

Tonight, he had scored 28 points, including 9 points in the final moments, single-handedly securing the victory and becoming the largest contributor to the team's win.

When the celebration ended, Tois appeared in the locker room alongside someone else.

"Hansen, this is Jamal Carrell from ESPN," Tois said as he walked straight over to Hansen.

Seeing this, the other teammates consciously made space, their eyes filled with both envy and excitement.

If Hansen really made it to the NBA, this group of people might also bask in some reflected glory.

Hansen wiped his hands dry on his pants, stood up, and proactively shook hands with Carrell.

"He wants to do a simple interview with you," Tois said, giving Hansen a significant look.

Hansen nodded, knowing that this was an opportunity Tois had created for him.

"Can we start now?" Carrell asked, sitting down and taking out his notebook.

"Can I ask a question first?" Hansen did not rush to answer but asked instead.

"Of course."

"Will this interview be published in the news?"

Hansen's question was somewhat unexpected, causing Carrell to pause before nodding.

"Okay, I have no other questions." Hansen signaled that they could begin.

"Before this game started, did you think you had a chance to win?" Carrell posed his first question.

"Of course, I think we can defeat any team, even if it were North Carolina," Hansen replied with a relaxed tone and a determined look.

Carrell was stunned again and couldn't help but turn to glance at Tois beside him.

Tois just smiled helplessly, having had the same expression during the season's opening game press conference.

Hansen always had a way of making shocking statements.

"What were you thinking when you jumped onto the technical platform at the last moment?" Carrell continued after turning back.

"That was a marker."

"A marker?" Carrell paused, pen in hand, looking bewilderedly at Hansen.

"We won a game that others thought was impossible to win. It deserved to be remembered, so it needed a marker."

Carrell was surprised; Hansen's every response was so unique.

However, he nodded along.

Tonight's game was spectacular and newsworthy enough to garner significant attention once his report was published.

However, in this age of abundant information, it wouldn't be long before it was forgotten.

But now, with the scene of jumping onto the away team's technical platform, the situation could become very different.

It was too unique and might still be discussed long after.

It indeed was a fitting "marker."

He circled the word "marker" twice, then stopped writing, smiled at Hansen, and said, "Last question, what do you think are your advantages in making it to the NBA?"

"Learning ability."

"Learning ability?" Carrell heard another unexpected reply.

"Yes, before entering the NCAA, I wasn't known for my three-pointers, but now I have become the leading shooter in the NCAA League. My talent may not be outstanding, but my learning ability will grant me all possibilities in the future."

Carrell smiled, closed his notebook after taking notes, and then stood up and shook hands with Hansen.

"Hansen, why did it end so quickly?" As soon as Tois and Carrell had left, Rondo couldn't help but come over.

After all, Carrell only asked three questions.

"He's a competent journalist," Hansen said while looking toward the doorway.

"I didn't see that coming, I thought he was stunned by your answers," Rondo disagreed.

Hansen just smiled, not bothering to explain further, and stood up saying, "I heard the wings in East Lansing are exceptional, I'll treat everyone to a late-night snack tonight."

Upon hearing Hansen offered to treat, cheers erupted in the locker room.

...

Barry University's victory over Michigan State University made headlines the next day.

An ESPN article titled "Barry University Defeats Michigan State, the Unknown Defeats the Giant" featuring a front-facing photo of Hansen jumping up to the scorer's table caught significant attention.

The article focused on Hansen, emphasizing his mindset during what seemed an unwinnable game.

"I believe we can beat any team, even if it's North Carolina," the report began with these words from Hansen's interview and recounted Hansen's actions during the game.

Taking control when behind, clinching the game, and leaping onto the technical console mixed with post-game interviews concluded:

"Hansen might be another player from NCAA Division II to make it into the NBA in the past decade."

Like that brief interview, the article wasn't long, but its content was compelling.

Just as Hansen had said, Carrell really was a good journalist.

It was around then when someone dug up a TNT program where Hansen boasted himself as the NCAA's top shooter on "NBA Entertainment."

It was easy to link together, as that show had only recently aired.

And then, Hansen "accidentally" became a sensation.

East Asians are stereotypically humble and reserved, like Yi Jianlian, or even Yao Ming who are tagged this way.

However, Hansen bragged about being the NCAA's top shooter and about defeating North Carolina, and celebrated wildly in an opposing team's courtroom; all of these portrayed him as arrogant and flamboyant.

Yes, it was the contrast.

Contrasts like these are explosive elements in the information age.

Then there was the topic's virality.

A Division II team defeating a top five Division I team was the quintessence of athletic passion that was renowned across basketball.

Moreover, Carrell had said Hansen might be another player from Division II to make it into the NBA in years.

Including Tois, who was last season's head coach for the Kings in the NBA.

These factors combined not only put Hansen but also Barry University into significant focus.

Naturally, Hansen was pleased with the result.

Gaining massive attention was crucial for him as a Division II player.

Moreover, there was also the idea of "hate followers."

The more people who like you, the more who will dislike you.

Not to mention, his complete disdain for Michigan fans by leaping onto the scorer's table and his claim he could defeat North Carolina—how could North Carolina fans endure that?

Especially when media hype turned his words through a megaphone.

So now his social media was buzzing, not just with a skyrocketing number of followers but also an exponential increase in critics.

He needed 10,000 hate points to activate a draw, and with this wave, his hate points had already reached 8,000!