In recent years, many sports shoe brands have focused on signing endorsement deals with star high school students, such as Nike, Adidas, and Reebok.
Signing them during their high school years before they enter the NBA can save a lot on endorsement fees.
After the game where he defeated Carmelo Anthony, Link entered the vision of these sneaker brands for the first time.
Of course, these sneaker brands are not foolish financial backers with more money than sense.
To receive contract offers from them, Link still needs to demonstrate more commercial value.
The strength of a top high school player?
Link has it!
But in their view, it's not enough; whether Link can enter the NBA remains an unknown. Furthermore, even if he can enter the NBA, whether he can become a "superstar" is another matter entirely.
Market influence?
As a person from China, Link naturally has it too!
Moreover, it's a unique advantage.
Hidden injury risks?
These sneaker brand capitals still need further investigation.
Talent and potential?
With Link's mediocre athleticism, it's easy to get a sense of "seeing the end at a glance."
This is something sneaker capital needs to consider.
Emotional intelligence, basketball IQ?
From recent games and post-game interviews, it can be seen that Link's dual IQ far exceeds that of players his age.
Of course, even if Link doesn't yet qualify to sign with a sneaker brand at this stage, his outstanding performance has already caught their attention, laying the groundwork for him to sign an advertisement endorsement in the future.
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"Link, great job, I hope you keep winning." Anthony hugged Link to congratulate him after the game.
"Thanks, Melo, good luck to you in your next games as well!" Link smiled.
Besides Anthony, the other players of the Ice Man also hugged Link one after another, even the five-star point guard who had been dominated by him.
At this moment, Link somewhat understood a saying by Brother Bo—when you become strong, the people around you have better and better tempers.
When he first entered the training camp, to be honest, Link was not well-liked by the local American players, but as he won game after game, even players who didn't know him would take the initiative to smile and greet him, although these might just be on the surface.
Regarding player statistics:
Throughout the game, Link made 12 of 19 shots, 4 of 7 Three-Point Shots, and 4 of 5 free throws, recording 32 points, 10 assist, 4 rebounds, and 3 Steals, including 1 offensive rebound.
His scoring was the second-highest of the game, second only to Carmelo Anthony, who made 13 of 22 shots, 3 of 8 Three-Point Shots, and 6 of 8 free throws.
But his 1 assist and 3 Steals were both game highs.
[Ding, congratulations to the Host for obtaining post-game rewards: 80 Goat Points.]
[Goat Points: 145/1,745]
Link consumed 100 Goat Points to continue the lucky draw.
This time his luck was pretty good.
He obtained another physical sports special training card; within 2 days, the training effect for physical sports categories will increase by 5 times.
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There was still a group of students in the spectator seats who hadn't left.
"Amare, these guys are not easy to deal with!"
"Don't look at the Nut-Kicking Kid's Speed being not slow, but trying to break through his defense is not a simple matter."
"We can't give him the chance for a mid-range jumper after the pick-and-roll."
"Also, his Three-Point Shot is very accurate..."
The afternoon opponent of the Dream Chasing Warriors Team—the Space Walkers—had lingering fears on their faces after watching the game.
The top player of the Space Walkers—Amare Stoudemire—was frowning at this moment.
As a five-star national interior player of the class of '02, the same as Bosh, Stoudemire felt he could completely handle Bosh, but Bosh had Link, who could pass to him and coordinate with him, while his own point guard's vision and Passing could not compare to Link's.
When the Dream Chasing Warriors Team was first formed, because there were no particularly famous players, they were rarely taken seriously by opponents.
But now, the Dream Chasing Warriors have unknowingly become a powerhouse in the training camp.
Starting from yesterday, opponents would come to the scene to watch Link and his team's games.
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Time approached noon.
Link and the others, who were still resting in the dormitory, prepared to go to the cafeteria in the gymnasium to eat.
But at this time, a middle-aged man in a suit and leather shoes arrived at their dormitory door.
The students who didn't know him were very confused.
But only the well-connected person, future NBA reporter Matt Babcock, recognized him at a glance.
"Uncle Yule, why are you here?" Matt Babcock smiled.
"Well, Matt, I'm here to invite Link to have lunch with Mr. Sonny." Although Yule Fox was answering Matt Babcock, his eyes were on Link.
Yule Fox was the assistant to Sonny Vaccaro, the founder of the ABCD Training Camp.
"Wow!"
"Wow!"
"Wow!"
When the teammates heard that Link was actually personally invited by Sonny Vaccaro for lunch, their faces all showed expressions of surprise and envy.
On the contrary, Link had a calm face; this wasn't to say he was indifferent to fame and fortune, but simply that he was good at playing it cool.
Seeing Link remain calm and composed, showing no joy or anger, Yule Fox couldn't help but look at him with new respect. He remembered that when he invited Lamine Kook on behalf of Sonny Vaccaro last year, that kid's nostrils were practically pointing at the sky.
"Mr. Sonny shouldn't have misjudged the person this time," Yule Fox thought to himself.
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...
Link arrived at a private room in the gymnasium's high-end restaurant; the food inside was many times more abundant and luxurious than what was eaten outside.
As a successful businessman, Sonny Vaccaro did not start by asking Link how he planned his basketball career in the future, but instead chatted about some trivial matters, such as hobbies, family, and the like.
Slowly, he began to shift towards career planning.
"Link, do you have an NCAA university you want to play for?" Sonny asked.
Link's answer was non-committal, mentioning almost all the famous NCAA schools once.
This instantly made Sonny feel that this kid in front of him was a bit too cunning.
"Link, actually, based on your current strength, you are qualified to take a shot at this year's NBA. There aren't many high-quality point guards in the 2001 draft projections..." Sonny asked tentatively.
He really wanted to know if Link wanted to skip college directly and take his talents to the NBA, just like Kobe Bryant did in '96.
"To be honest, my ranking before entering the training camp was very low, and the attention I received was also very low, not generating much interest from NBA scouts. However, I believe this training camp experience will change their views."
Link's answer was still ambiguous, but it also quietly praised the influence of the ABCD Training Camp.
"Haha, Link, thank you for your recognition of our training camp," Sonny Vaccaro laughed.
The short conversation gave Sonny Vaccaro a preliminary understanding of Link. The high school student in front of him from China was not a fool like Lamine Kook; he couldn't be fooled like a high school kid but should be treated as a peer.
"Link, our training camp wants to film a documentary for you, recording all the way until you enter the NBA. What do you think?" Sonny Vaccaro smiled.
"Thank you, it's my honor," Link nodded and smiled.
Just then...
A series of mechanical, cold electronic voices sounded in Link's mind.
[Ding, congratulations to the Host for completing the random task—Intercepting the Documentary Filming Team!]
[Ding, reward the Host with 300 Goat Points;]
[Goat Points: 345/2,045]
[Ding, reward the Host with a random superstar sparring partner card x1, would you like to draw?]
"Yes!"
[Ding, congratulations to the Host for obtaining a [Superstar (Jimmy Butler 2024-2025 Season) sparring partner card] x1!]
Butler? This rookie with average physical talent and a late first-round pick, who grew all the way into the team leader, the big brother in Embiid's heart, performed the Black Eight Miracle, and even played in the league's finals as a tough guy.
Even in the late stages of his career, joining the Warriors halfway through the 2024-2025 season, he could still assist Stephen Curry in making the playoffs again and became one of the contenders for the league championship!!!
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In the following conversation, Sonny Vaccaro casually asked Link about his favorite sneaker brands and his preferred NBA team in the future.
Link's answer was still balanced among all options.
But Link could definitely feel that he had indeed attracted the attention of some sneaker brands, though not strongly enough for them to sign him now.
He also brought up the "McDonald's All-American Game" to Sonny Vaccaro.
"Well, Link, don't worry. I believe as long as the organizers aren't fools, they will definitely invite you to participate," Sonny said with a smile.
"Thank you," Link smiled.
The last day of the training camp is the All-Star game. Sonny Vaccaro also revealed in advance that regardless of whether they could win the afternoon game, the Dream Chasing Warriors Team he led would participate in tomorrow's game.
At this time, Link said in a very firm tone: "Mr. Sonny, I won't lose."
To enter the NBA as a high school player, and as a lottery pick at that.
Who among them wasn't an invincible existence among their peers!!!
To-be-NO.1!!!