NBA: Rising Superstar!
Chapter 48, NCAA Top Shooter.
CHAPTER 48: CHAPTER 48, NCAA TOP SHOOTER.
Zeng Xingyang faces immense defensive pressure, but he’s fearless.
Now, Zeng Xingyang has enough confidence in his strength.
Zeng Xingyang is chasing down Powell. When Zeng Xingyang thought Powell would drive into the paint with the ball, Powell suddenly stopped at the top of the arc beyond the three-point line.
Zeng Xingyang’s retreat speed was quick, and he couldn’t stop in time and was left behind.
Powell quickly takes the three-point shot.
Powell’s shooting off the dribble is very strong, even more accurate than his open shots.
Zeng Xingyang forcibly adjusts his stance, trying his best to rush over and contest it.
Powell’s ability to resist interference is just too strong.
The basketball draws an arc.
"Swish!"
It hits the mark accurately.
to 3.
"A splendid counter-attack three-pointer from Norman Powell, no doubt UCLA’s top scorer. Zeng Xingyang is under pressure now."
"To keep moving up in the draft rankings, Zeng Xingyang needs to keep working hard."
Powell’s offensive is aggressive!
Zeng Xingyang thinks this guy’s offense might be stronger than that of many NBA guards.
And such is Powell, whose draft projection is only mid-second round, which shows how fierce the NBA draft competition is.
Powell glanced at Zeng Xingyang, his eyes a bit dismissive.
Zeng Xingyang’s current projected rank is at the forefront of the second round, while Powell’s is mid-second round, and Powell is quite dissatisfied with that.
Most draft sites believe Powell has decent ball-handling skills, but he’s getting older, and his talent isn’t enough to be a ball-handling core in the NBA, thus his draft ranking isn’t high.
But a low draft rank doesn’t mean lack of strength.....
Powell’s immediate combat ability is very strong.
The cheers from the field kept increasing, UCLA’s supporting fans all hoped Powell would explode and directly devastate the University of Kentucky.
"Beat these guys famous just for their talent."
"You may have superior talent, but we have better players."
The fans roared.
The University of Kentucky’s offense starts again.
Towns gets the ball in the low post again, he’s still being double-teamed, but this time Towns already observed the route early and passes the ball to Booker outside.
Booker waves Koulistan over for a pick and roll.
The pick and roll in place, Booker uses it to break in.
Booker quickly gets trapped and passes the ball to Koulistan.
Koulistan charges into the paint, but his rhythm is not quite right, and the distance is a bit far.
"Clang!"
The ball was too hard off the glass.
As Rooney was about to grab the rebound with both hands, someone rushed from behind to snatch it early.
Koulistan at this moment showcases his bounce talent, grabbing his offensive rebound.
The paint area is too crowded, his offensive angle was all blocked.
Koulistan throws the ball outward to Zeng Xingyang in the corner.
Zeng Xingyang was ready, he catches the ball and quickly fakes a shot.
Powell flies over, Zeng Xingyang pulls the ball back, completely shaking off Powell.
In front of him is a wide-open space, Zeng Xingyang adjusts slightly before jumping to take a three-pointer.
"Swish!"
Effortlessly scored.
to 3.
The University of Kentucky fans began to shout.
Zeng Xingyang immediately responded with a three-pointer to Powell’s earlier shot.
Powell was utterly speechless, completely outplayed on this one.
From the sideline, Calipari saw clearly that UCLA’s strategy today is to trap Booker and Towns.
To counter it, Zeng Xingyang must step up.
"Pass the ball when double-teamed."
"Trust me."
Zeng Xingyang shouted towards Towns and Booker.
Towns and Booker quickly nodded upon hearing.
The relationship among the three of them is great both on and off the court, they already trust each other.
UCLA’s offense starts again.
This time Powell doesn’t get an easy shot opportunity anymore, Zeng Xingyang clung to him.
Powell was able to score earlier largely because it was during transition, giving him numerous offensive options. If Zeng Xingyang judged wrong, there’s no way to defend against him.
In this kind of half-court set, Zeng Xingyang’s movement and physical confrontation can keep up with Powell’s pace, his defense has fault tolerance, and he can quickly make adjustments.
After Powell got the ball, continuous dribbling and changes in direction attempts to shake off Zeng Xingyang all failed.
Powell didn’t hog the ball. Seeing no way to lose Zeng Xingyang, he passed the ball to Rooney, the inside pillar of the team.
This season, Rooney averages 11.6 points, 9.2 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 0.8 blocks, and 1.3 steals, performing very well.
Rooney received the ball and faced Koulistan’s defense.
Just now he was out-rebounded offensively by Koulistan, he’s thinking about responding.
The space between the two teams widened, Towns was blocked by Thomas, leaving the paint open.
Rooney makes a fake move with the ball.
Koulistan’s bounce is outstanding, making him love jumping while defending.
During high school, Rooney was nicknamed Little Durant, armed with a mid-range shot, Koulistan knows this, and his stance slightly lifts.
Seeing this, Rooney bursts into a step to get past Koulistan, rushing in for a dunk.
Rooney now has a straight path ahead of him; UCLA’s fans are ready to cheer.
But just as Rooney is airborne, on the side, Booker desperately jumps up.
Although Booker’s short, his reactions are quick, and his jump speed is fast.
Booker swatted the ball from the side, blocking it, and because of the huge momentum, he directly rushed out of the court.
The rebounded ball was controlled by Tyler Ulis after being blocked.
Upon seeing this, Zeng Xingyang quickly countered, attempting a fast break.
UCLA’s reaction was swift, their two guards quickly retreated in defense, not letting Kentucky have an easy counter-attack opportunity.
Tyler Ulis quickly analyzed the situation, thinking they could try a 2-on-2 counter.
Bliss chased Tyler Ulis, while Isaac pursued Zeng Xingyang.
Tyler Ulis decisively drives towards the basket, Isaac sees this and goes to double-team inside.
Zeng Xingyang waits at the left wing three-point line at a 45-degree angle.
Tyler Ulis’ counter ability isn’t as insane as Booker’s; in this situation, clearly dominating the opponent, he’d still likely get blocked if he drives in.
But Tyler Ulis is smart and spots Zeng Xingyang.
A flying twisting pass, looking back at the moon.
The pass was a bit high, Zeng Xingyang jumped to catch it.
After landing, Isaac followed in defense, but Zeng Xingyang felt the rhythm was just right.
Without any hesitation, with Isaac’s defense on him, he jumps for a tough three-pointer.
Isaac was a split-second late on defense, Zeng Xingyang successfully shot.
As if the basketball had a scope fixed on it.
"Swish!"
Went straight through the net.
to 3
The University of Kentucky fans stood up and cheered, as Zeng Xingyang made this three as a response with the defense on him during transition.
"A beautiful counter three-pointer, Zeng Xingyang showed his excellent ability to hit tough shots, Isaac’s defense was in position, but just couldn’t stop him, my goodness!"
"Zeng Xingyang’s three-pointers have opened up right at the start of the game, proving to be a top shooter, UCLA is in big trouble tonight."
The commentator shouted in excitement.