Chapter Seven: Stumbling Upon a Treasure! (Asking for Recommendations!)

“So this is an NBA team’s practice facility!”

In Orlando, Florida, inside the training center of the NBA’s Orlando Magic, Wu Rui, who had gotten up early, stood at center court, his eyes darting around ceaselessly.

In his previous life, he had spent most of his time in hospitals. The place he saw most often was the old basketball court near the hospital: a concrete surface, faded lines, and a rickety hoop. That was his earliest memory of a basketball court.

“All the practice facilities are this advanced? NBA players really have it good!” Wu Rui looked around the gym again and again, feeling as if he was about to drool from excitement.

“Michael, you’re here awfully early.”

While Wu Rui was still taking in the place, head coach Frank Vogel strode to the center of the court in sportswear, holding several data sheets in hand.

“Coach Frank, you asked me to come early,” Wu Rui quickly straightened up at Vogel’s voice and turned around. “Didn’t you say you wanted to redo my physical tests today?”

“Yes. Go warm up at the sideline first, and then we’ll begin,” Vogel nodded at him and gestured toward the edge of the court, signaling him to do some stretching. After all, the tests would involve some exertion, and warming up was essential.

Wu Rui soon finished warming up and was called back over by Vogel, who stood next to a row of measurement devices.

Having undergone countless medical exams in his previous life, Wu Rui was familiar with the various machines and breezed through the process.

“Coach, how did I do?” After the final standing reach test, Wu Rui sidled up next to Vogel, trying to peek at the results.

“Average,” Vogel replied quickly, covering the sheet before Wu Rui could see, his expression unreadable. “Go to the other side and start the dynamic tests.”

“Coach…” Vogel’s tone was flat, but Wu Rui pressed, “Can’t I just take a quick look at my static measurements?”

“Don’t you know your own numbers?” Vogel was unmoved despite Wu Rui’s persistence. “Go do the dynamic tests. Team practice will start soon!”

“Okay…”

Rejected again, Wu Rui felt a pang of disappointment.

To be honest, ever since he had crossed over, the only thing he’d learned about his new body was that his legs were strong and fast. As for his height, weight, and other stats—he had no idea!

Today, since the team was doing new tests, he’d been eager to find out, but now that Vogel refused to show him, it felt like a bucket of cold water had been dumped over his head.

On the other side, seeing Wu Rui lower his head and walk away, Vogel finally relaxed and spread out the data sheet in his hands. His mind was racing.

“Height: 201 cm!”

“Weight: 100 kg!”

“Wingspan: 219 cm!”

“Standing reach: 272 cm!”

Just looking at these numbers might not mean much, but as a professional NBA coach, Vogel could analyze a player’s physical profile at a glance. Wu Rui’s data was, in fact, like a Michael Jordan who had grown three more centimeters!

Vogel steadied himself, then pulled out a blank dynamic data form. The player’s name at the top: Michael Wu.

But the rest of the form was empty—brand new.

What Wu Rui didn’t know was that he hadn’t participated in this year’s rookie combine in Chicago. The Magic had no data on him, static or dynamic.

The team’s front office had dared to spend a draft pick on a complete unknown from Asia—this was what Vogel found most unacceptable.

But now, seeing Wu Rui’s flawless static measurements, only one thought echoed in his mind:

Did the team just pick up a gem?

While Vogel’s thoughts swirled, Wu Rui had already started the dynamic tests, beginning with the vertical leap.

“How do I use this?” Wu Rui stood before the high measuring pole with its vanes, bewildered. He’d never seen such a device.

“Just jump up and touch the measuring vanes,” the staffer explained, seeing Wu Rui’s confusion.

“How high do I need to jump to pass? And how many tries do I get?” Wu Rui kept asking.

“There’s no passing standard,” the staffer replied, growing impatient. “Jump once first. Depending on the result, we’ll see if you need more tries.”

Depending on the result? Fine.

Wu Rui stopped talking, shook out his legs, and felt a surge of excitement.

“The last time I jumped was only a few hours ago…” he muttered, eyes locked on the measuring rod. He bent his knees and leapt straight up.

As he soared, he realized the bar that had seemed so high was suddenly within reach. His vision lifted, and at his peak, he stretched out his arm and slapped the highest measuring vane.

Smack!

With a crisp sound, Wu Rui landed, bending his knees to cushion the impact. His eyes shone as he looked at the staffer. “Can I try again?”

That leap had felt exhilarating. He wanted nothing more than to jump a few more times—he was sure he could go even higher.

“No need.” Vogel walked over from behind, having watched the whole thing. “Michael, go do a set of bench presses.”

“But coach, I really want to try again!” Wu Rui pleaded. “Just one more time!”

“Coach Frank, Michael still hasn’t done a running vertical…”

“He doesn’t need to test vertical again,” Vogel interrupted the staff member, his tone firm as ever. “I just need his strength numbers now.”

Wu Rui sighed heavily. Now he was truly dejected—not only was he denied his measurements, he couldn’t even jump again. Was this coach heartless?

Still, despite his grumbling, Wu Rui threw himself into the remaining tests, determined to show his true abilities.

And once Vogel had Wu Rui’s firsthand data, all of his earlier doubts were dispelled.

This time, the team had truly struck gold.