Just as Wayne expected, when they returned to Stillwater with the NCAA championship trophy, the small town seemed to be packed.
Although the NCAA championship does not have a luxurious event like a championship parade that costs millions of dollars.
But on the way from the airport to the school, the players sitting on the team bus also experienced the feeling of a championship parade.
After returning to school and placing the championship trophy in the display room, the Cowboys' legendary 03-04 season officially came to an end.
Old Sutton looked at the players who had helped him create a miracle with reluctance, and was unable to bring himself to announce the disbanding of the team.
Finally, he hugged everyone and reluctantly said, "Next, you can have a good rest, legends."
Of course, not everyone left after the team was disbanded.
Wayne and Tony, two Cowboys players who are about to participate in the draft this year and have a high probability of being selected in the first round, were called to the office by old Sutton individually.
Looking at his two most proud players this season, old Sutton felt extremely proud.
Wayne and Tony are going to the NBA, which is an honor for Sutton, but also makes him sad.
This is where college coaches struggle the most.
No matter how good the players they develop, eventually they will leave.
The coach hopes that all his players can play in the NBA and become big stars.
But on the other hand, I wish they could stay forever...
Old Sutton sighed. This was not the first time he had trained a player who could play in the NBA.
But no matter how many times it happens, parting is always sad.
"The next time you two play in an official match, you will be as professional players.
This summer, you must be ready. Although you are the champion of college basketball, and you have won the MOP of the Final Four, which represents the highest honor.
But professional basketball is a completely different concept from all the games you have played before.
It's more barbaric and cruel there. No one will give in to you there. Everything you want, you have to fight for it with your own hands."
Sutton spoke in a very serious tone, and he had to urge Wayne and Tony to be prepared.
Because professional basketball... has already caught several of Sutton's favorite disciples in the vortex.
"Big Country" Bryant Rivers, one of the most famous tall players in Cowboys history, was selected with the sixth pick in 1995.
In his first year in the NBA, Rivers averaged 13.3 points and 7.4 rebounds per game, becoming the Grizzlies' inside pillar and was selected to the All-Rookie Second Team.
In the third year of his career, Rivers' averages increased to 16.3 points and 7.9 rebounds. In a game against the Celtics, he scored 41 points and 12 rebounds, the best of his career!
The then Celtics coach Rick Pitino commented after the game: "Reeves is an excellent basketball player. He can quickly determine the direction of the ball and then create a huge space in the restricted area. I believe he has the potential to become a superstar!"
After that, he received a 6-year, $61.8 million contract from the Grizzlies. Together with Abdur-Rahim and Bibby, he was considered the Grizzlies' hope.
Rivers was very popular at the time, and his jersey sales were among the best.
Old Sutton was also very happy. He thought he could finally see his disciple shine in the professional arena.
And then, nothing happened.
After 1998, Rivers, who should have reached his peak, began to decline due to injuries.
After the Grizzlies moved to Memphis in the 01-02 season, Rivers did not even play any game for the team due to injury.
Finally, in 2002, Rivers had to announce his retirement. The rising star of the Grizzlies played only three brilliant seasons before falling like a meteor.
Now, it has only been two years since Rivers retired. However, few people still remember the giant who wreaked havoc in the restricted area in Vancouver.
Pau Gasol became the idol of the new generation of the Grizzlies, while Bryant Rivers was completely buried in the dust of history and no one ever mentioned him again.
This is professional basketball. Watching his favorite student enter the league from a college overlord and then fall and become ignored... Old Sutton is really heartbroken.
Rivers is one of the luckier ones among them. At least he has had his own highlight period, although it was very short.
After entering the professional basketball world, most college players do not even have a brief peak, and will simply become ordinary people and disappear.
Sutton doesn't want a similar tragedy to happen to Wayne and Tony Allen.
"We'll be ready, Coach." Wayne nodded. He knew Sutton was worried about their future.
However, as a "veteran", Wayne is very reassured about this.
Really, don't worry too much.
The star guard who helps you conquer cities and capture castles will make many of the league's top scorers so frustrated that they curse their mothers, and will become the nightmare of countless players.
If history had not taken a different turn, he would have even had his jersey retired in Memphis.
As for himself... Wayne didn't know what he would become.
But if he was selected in the first round and got the "Man of Steel" badge, his ending would not be as tragic as his predecessor Rivers.
"So, have you all found your own agents? You will have to deal with the draft, tryouts, summer training, business operations, and media. It's too much for one person to handle it all.
Listen, you can't just pick an agent. He has a huge impact on your career. If you need, I can help you check it out."
After Old Sutton finished speaking, Teacher Tony had an expression that said, "What the hell, that's all nonsense."
Although he knew he had to find an agent, Tony had no plan at all.
He originally wanted to take it easy for a month or so after winning the championship and then slowly arrange other things.
But now it seems that there are quite a lot of things to do and no time to waste.
Well, for a player like Tony who is not ranked very high, it still takes some time to adapt to the transition from a pure basketball environment.
The NCAA doesn't have so many problems, just play your game well.
But professional basketball is not that simple.
"I do have a candidate. He contacted me on the day the finals ended, and I have made an appointment to meet him tomorrow." Wayne then told Schwartz everything about his conversation with him.
"Jeff Schwartz? Well... he has become quite famous in the circle in recent years. As far as I know, Paul Pierce and Kidd are both his clients, right?" Old Sutton looked at Wayne approvingly.
He has the physique to attract well-known managers, which can save Wayne a lot of trouble.
Yes, Wayne is a Chinese player.
The benefits of the Chinese market may not be obvious in the NCAA yet, but in the professional circle, no one will let go of a player with such a special background.
"Yes, and if nothing unexpected happens, Emeka Okafor should also sign with him. I think he is pretty good. Of course, we have to discuss it in detail after meeting him tomorrow."
Next to Wayne, Teacher Tony's eyes widened.
You did so many things in just one day?
So what did I do?
Oh, I was so busy holding the toilet that I vomited...
They are all good teammates, why is there such a big gap...
In fact, Tony is still lucky. At least he knows the draft process, but he just hasn't had time to prepare.
Back then, “Birdman” Anderson announced that he would participate in the draft, but he didn’t even know that he had to register for the draft.
Then...well, he made his debut in the CBA.
"Tony, do you want to join me? It just so happens that you haven't found a suitable agent." At this time, Wayne suddenly turned around and asked Tony.
"Ah? Together? Well, I don't know. Will they sign a contract with me? Besides, I don't have any money right now."
Teacher Tony is an old poor man just like Wayne.
"I'll go ask him tomorrow and find out. After I talk to him, I'll be the first to give you the news."
"Oh... then... I'll leave it to you, Wayne."
"What are you talking about? It's just a piece of cake. Besides, your business is my business, leave it to me." Wayne patted Tony on the back.
Suddenly, Teacher Tony was deeply moved.
Then I thought about how I was still upset about that Christmas pizza. It was simply... I am nothing at all!
Teacher Tony made up his mind at that moment that he would treat Wayne to pizza every Christmas from then on!
Well, he certainly didn't know that if he and Wayne signed with the same agent and trained together in the summer, Wayne would be able to continue to spend a lot of money on him.
After several months of accumulation, Wayne is only a short distance away from the 500,000 growth points required for upgrading.
If he can continue training with Tony this summer, there will be no problem in upgrading before the draft.
It would be even better if I could upgrade before the tryout!
That's why Wayne needs to keep Tony by his side!
Not only can you meet your own needs, but you can also do others a favor.
Isn’t that wonderful!
Teacher Tony is still too naive in front of Wayne, who has lived two lives.
They were about to part, so of course Wayne had to experience hundreds of millions of wonderful physical encounters with Tony again.
This strong brotherhood is so hard to let go.
The next day, Schwartz showed up at the gate of Ohio State University on time.
He came specially to pick up Wayne. When the driver got out of the car and opened the door for Wayne, Wayne was a little uncomfortable.
With this treatment, people who don’t know would think Wayne was the No. 1 pick.
The first time Wayne saw Schwartz, he took a liking to him.
Because of Schwartz's appearance, he is one of the friendly types.
But behind his smile, you can feel his wisdom.
"Hello, Wayne, I'm glad you took the time to see me. Congratulations, you have no regrets in your college life." As soon as he got in the car, Schwartz greeted Wayne very friendly.
After a while, the car arrived at the cafe that had been booked long ago.
Wayne walked in and found that there was no one in the cafe!
He glanced at Schwartz in confusion, and Schwartz seemed to be able to guess what Wayne was thinking: “In order to facilitate the negotiation, I have booked this store today. It will be quieter this way.
If you don’t like it, we can find another one.”
"Uh...that's fine, Mr. Schwartz, let's do it here." Wayne curled his lips. This was simply inhumane.
After sitting down, ordering coffee and some snacks, Schwartz got straight to the point.
"I won't waste your time, Wayne. I came here to reach a cooperation with you. I am very optimistic about your strength and the huge market behind you.
I think I can maximize your business value. Of course, I can also protect your career. "
Schwartz was quite frank. He did not praise Wayne but directly said that he was optimistic about the Chinese market.
"You are a very motivated player with great potential, and I am optimistic about your development in the NBA.
In business, I am also confident that I can make you successful. I know that pale words are not very convincing, but if you feel that my service is not good after the draft, you can always replace me.
I can sign a short-term contract with you first and serve you until the end of the draft. If you are satisfied after the draft, we can sign a long-term contract.
Words are not enough, I want to show you with actions what I can do for you.
Like I said on the phone, you can leave the training, tryouts and business activities to me.
I can give you a detailed summer plan in a few days and modify it according to your satisfaction."
Schwartz is very confident. He believes that only sincerity can earn trust.
"Well... I am willing to trust you first. If possible, we can take a look at the contract template." Wayne did n't want to say any more. The key now was to find an agent as soon as possible to start arranging summer plans.
You have to understand one thing, no matter how awesome the agent is, he still works for the players.
The players are the boss.
No, Wayne will change.
Bill Duffy, Jeff Austin, Mark Bartelstein...there are plenty of backup options.
"Hahaha, I like your straightforwardness, Wayne. I won't let you down."
"By the way, Mr. Schwartz, I have a small suggestion. You should know my teammate, Tony Allen. He doesn't have a manager yet, so I wonder if you can help him."
Schwartz took a sip of coffee slowly, then smiled and said, "Is this one of your conditions?"
"Yes and no. I hope he can successfully participate in the draft. In the summer, I also hope to train with him."
"In that case, of course I won't refuse. Leave Tony's matter to me. I will contact him and visit him in person."
Schwartz is not very optimistic about Tony Allen's commercial value, but every little bit counts, and there is no harm in Schwartz signing Tony.
Besides, if this can win over Wayne, he will have to sign it.
"Really? That's great. But... can you really handle the draft activities of so many players at once?" Wayne counted, and as far as he knew, Schwartz was currently in charge of three rookies.
"Hahahahaha, it seems you don't know enough about my abilities, Wei. It's okay, you will understand it slowly in the future. If you're not in a hurry, let's finish our snacks."
Wayne nodded and tasted the exquisite snack in front of him.
He had to eat well, because if nothing unexpected happened, he would not have many opportunities to eat and drink freely.