The entire Fresno State gym sat under a thick blanket of shock.
When Head Coach Steve Cleveland finally snapped out of it, he discovered he was on his knees.
Rex’s spinning reverse dunk had been so apocalyptic that Cleveland’s joints had bypassed his brain and dropped into a full-on genuflection worthy of the second-greatest player who ever lived.
Fortunately every set of eyes in the building was still locked on the glittering carpet of shattered glass.
No one noticed the coach.
He scrambled back to his feet.
“Jack!
Tell me the last full-ride scholarship for this year is still open!” “Yes, Coach.
We were holding it for that Texas high-school small-forward prospect—” “Tell him not to call.
I don’t want Rex getting the wrong idea.” Cleveland chopped the air with one hand, voice iron.
“Right now.
Fastest possible.
Activate that full scholarship contract.
The only name that goes on it is Rex.” “But Coach…” Jack hesitated.
“March Madness tips off next week.
Rex’s body is nuclear, sure, but he’s never played a single official NCAA game.
Tactically he’s a blank slate.
We could just redshirt him and bring him back next season—” “There is no next season.” Cleveland shook his head and looked at Paul George, who was still bouncing off the walls.
“PG is declaring for the draft the second this year ends.
This is our only real shot at a title.
And Rex…” His eyes burned.
“He’s the nuclear weapon that levels every other program in the country.” … At center court Rex scratched the back of his head and offered Cleveland an awkward little smile.
“Uh… Coach.
Really sorry about that.
I honestly didn’t mean to.
Maybe the backboard was just low on calcium.” Pfft— Low on calcium?
The deadpan landed so hard Cleveland actually laughed out of pure frustration.
Seeing the smile, Rex exhaled theatrically and launched into full performance mode.
“Coach, you know the situation.
I’m just a broke exchange student living off a thin family allowance.
There’s no way I can pay for a high-end backboard.
Unless… the school happens to give me that last full scholarship.” Cleveland’s eyelid twitched like it was trying to escape his face.
This little shit.
He just used a destroyed backboard as leverage to strong-arm the head coach for a full ride.
Did he shatter the glass on purpose?
Cleveland wasn’t angry.
He was impressed.
The kid had personality.
“Rex, listen.
Geniuses get privileges wherever they go.
You think I’m going to make the future cornerstone of this program pay for some ancient, half-rotted backboard?” The entire roster understood the subtext instantly.
Absolute cornerstone.
Rex had just locked down the last roster spot.
Cleveland walked over, clapped him on the shoulder, eyes full of genuine investment.
“From today on, you and Paul are the two-way core of this team’s title run.
I give you my word—I’ll build an entire system around you that makes the whole country nervous.” Rex smiled.
That was exactly the sentence he had been waiting for.
Fresno State Bulldogs, I’m fucking here.
His expression turned serious, a little theatrical, and he answered loud enough for the whole gym to hear: “Don’t worry, Coach.
The reason I showed up is to make sure this Bulldog team never stops winning.
All the way… to the end of the world.” “Ohhh shit, that’s cold!” Paul George’s eyes went huge.
He even threw in a husky howl for emphasis.
“To the end of the world!
That’s so fucking fire, Rex!” The line landed with real heat.
The whole team felt it.
Only Kevin Minusnett stayed crouched in the corner, muttering to himself.
“I don’t know where the end of the world is… but I know where my starting job just ended.” … Evening.
Fresno State men’s dorm.
The door creaked open.
Paul George was sprawled in his gaming chair, headset on, eyes glued to the monitor.
On the screen several barely-dressed Black models were showing off curves so exaggerated they made car tires look modest.
“Paul.
For the love of God, use whatever walnut-sized brain you have left and close the female tanks before your roommate walks in.” Rex’s face was pure disgust.
Paul nearly launched out of the chair, yanking his hand free in panic.
“Fuck!
Rex, do you ever knock?
You almost made me go soft on the spot!” He scrambled to kill the browser and shot Rex a dirty look.
“And what do you know?
This is art.
Peak Kim-K-level architecture.
You don’t understand the beauty of a heavy-duty socialite.” Rex rolled his eyes.
He already knew Paul—like a lot of Black athletes—had an almost religious devotion to exaggerated curves.
The man had even married a stripper built like a Kardashian.
“We’re different.
From eighteen-year-old Victoria’s Secret angels to thirty-year-old blonde demons, I’m happy to save all their souls.
I spread the rain evenly.
I just don’t fall in love with dump trucks the way you do.” “Fucking player,” Paul grumbled.
Ding.
In the middle of the usual roasting, Rex’s ancient Nokia vibrated in his pocket.
He pulled it out.
Official email from the Fresno State athletic department: [Dear Mr.
Rex, congratulations on successfully completing the tryout and earning a spot on the official Fresno State men’s basketball roster.
Your full athletic scholarship has been activated effective today…] “Here we go.” The moment the words registered, an ice-blue tech panel only he could see unfolded inside his mind.
[Ding!
Main Quest complete: Officially become a member of the Fresno State basketball team.] [Distributing rewards…] [Congratulations, Host: Physical fusion with anime character Atsushi Murasakibara has reached 100%.] [Congratulations, Host: Exclusive defensive skill of Atsushi Murasakibara unlocked — Zeus’s Shield.] [Host: Rex] [Age: 20] [Height: 7’1″ (barefoot)] [Weight: 265 lbs] [Physical Fusion: Atsushi Murasakibara (100%)] [Skill: Zeus’s Shield — Expands block range.
With arms spread, forms a three-dimensional defensive zone that neutralizes opposing attacks.
Inside the paint, Host’s block success rate on all shots rises 30%.
Generates extreme psychological pressure that forces opponents’ shooting percentage down 30%.] [Defensive Rating: 95 (boosted by defensive domain Zeus’s Shield)] Ninety-five defensive rating.
Rex’s breathing grew heavier.
Across the entire NBA that number was already elite-borderline-monstrous.
Dropped into the NCAA it was a literal wall of sighs.
[Ding… Host has joined the Fresno State roster.
New main quest triggered: Make a name for yourself.
Lead the Fresno State Bulldogs to the championship.] [Quest reward upon completion: Unlock skill — Vise Claw.] [Vise Claw: Combines monstrous grip strength with elite rebounding instincts to vacuum boards in an instant.
Offensive rebound rate +30%.
Defensive rebound rate +30%.] “Championship… Vise Claw…” A slow smile curved Rex’s mouth.
“March Madness.
I’m already looking forward to it.”