"Jinwoo, you're actually smiling??"
The slight commotion between Jinwoo and Alexander caught the attention of Kentucky Wildcats Assistant Coach Tom: "Our opponent today is Duke University, and you can still smile?"
"Duke University is strong, but we're not weak either!"
Jinwoo came back to his senses, simply stretched his shoulders, and said, "And, we're definitely the ones who will advance to the finals!"
"That's right!"
Kentucky Wildcats Head Coach Calipari also gave the players a pep talk before the game: "Lads, any team that makes it to the Final Four is not a weak team!"
"You have to believe that you are far stronger than your opponents, even stronger than Villanova University, who has already reached the finals!"
After the pep talk, the pre-game warm-ups for both teams officially ended.
Amidst the cheers of nearly 20,000 fans at the Staples Center, the starting players from both sides took to the court!
For the Duke Blue Devils, like most NCAA teams, apart from the twin towers Marvin Bagley III and Wendell Carter Jr., and the sharpshooter Grayson Allen, the other players don't have the current ability to be guaranteed entry into the NBA.
But in the NCAA Tournament, each of them is a top-tier force in the college league!
For the Kentucky Wildcats, apart from the team's core trio (Jinwoo, Alexander, Vanderbilt), the other players also don't have the qualifications to enter the NBA right now.
However, being able to stand on the stage of the NCAA Final Four, facing their long-time rivals, whether they can enter the NBA is no longer the issue.
Whether they can eliminate their opponent today is the most important thing!
"By the way, Magic Johnson, you still haven't told me what you think of this young man, Jinwoo!"
As the game was about to begin, LeBron James, with a hint of interest, set a conversational trap for Magic Johnson.
"You know, Jinwoo is an excellent young man!"
Magic Johnson did not give a direct answer, clearly deflecting the question with a smile.
"I don't believe you wouldn't be tempted by him!"
James didn't bother to waste any more words with Magic Johnson and refocused his attention on the court.
Both centers stood at the mid-court line, and the head referee tossed the ball high!
The Kentucky Wildcats' starting center leaped high, using his height advantage to beat Bagley and tip the ball to Alexander.
Alexander dribbled quickly to the frontcourt, continuously changing direction and accelerating to shake off his defender, then drove into the paint, performing a fancy reverse layup over Bagley's long arms.
In previous games, Alexander would most likely pass the ball directly to Jinwoo when he brought it to the frontcourt.
But today...
With his idol Kobe Bryant watching courtside, Alexander's offensive desire was extremely strong!
"As the knockout rounds deepen, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's confidence is soaring."
"Yes, they've experienced a super comeback from 16 points down, successively eliminating opponents with two projected top picks, and now the Kentucky Wildcats are stronger than ever before!"
"And they are playing with incredible confidence!"
Not just Alexander and Jinwoo, even the Kentucky Wildcats' center, known for his timidity, dared to attempt a block when facing Marvin Bagley III.
The key was that Bagley actually played along, and his shot was blocked!
The basketball was grabbed by Jinwoo, who came flying in, then passed to Alexander, while Jinwoo himself charged the frontcourt!
"Kentucky Wildcats on the fast break! Alexander and Jinwoo, this backcourt duo, are both sprinting toward the frontcourt!"
Jinwoo and Alexander's fast break speed was so rapid that only the Duke Blue Devils' point guard managed to get back on defense.
"Bang!"
And Alexander completely ignored the defender in front of him, fiercely slamming the ball towards the free-throw line!
"Bang!"
The moment the basketball hit the free-throw line and bounced up, Jinwoo, who was sprinting in from the wing, soared into the air!
He caught the ball with both hands, then switched it from behind his back to his right hand!
Jinwoo, with his eyes level with the rim, completed a behind-the-back switch and a one-handed tomahawk dunk!!
"Woohoo!!!"
Kenny Smith, at the courtside commentary table, directly leaped out of his seat: "What did I just witness!?"
"Jinwoo actually showcased an aerial behind-the-back dunk to fans worldwide during the game, completing an alley-oop!"
"This will absolutely be the best play of this NCAA season!"
Charles Barkley, beside him, also had an O-shaped mouth: "Ladies and gentlemen, we have just witnessed the best play of this year's NCAA!"
Not just the two commentators courtside, but all the fans in the entire Staples Center also jumped out of their seats, raising their arms and cheering!
Jinwoo's dunk was simply too explosive, too spectacular!
Just as Barkley said, this was absolutely the best play of this year's NCAA Tournament!
Even if it were in the finals of an NBA All-Star Dunk Contest, this would be a perfect 50-point dunk!
"You madman! Are you trying to ruin this game?!"
Alexander, who assisted Jinwoo, also rushed directly to his side, giving him a hard shove: "Quick, tell me, this was just your impromptu performance!!"
As Jinwoo's teammate and friend, Alexander was in awe of how naturally Jinwoo had shown off.
He didn't even mind if the other person showed off intensely in front of him!
After all, this play was simply too explosive!
"No..."
Compared to Alexander's passionate roar, Jinwoo acted as if nothing had happened: "The moment you passed the ball, I had already decided to dunk it like that!"
Hearing Jinwoo's words, Alexander felt a lump in his throat.
He swore he would never have such high-intensity interactions with Jinwoo again.
He was totally unpredictable.
Transition offense. Grayson Allen brought the ball up the court from the backcourt, and after the twin towers in the paint got into position, he decisively lobbed the ball into the paint.
All of the Duke Blue Devils' offensive plays revolved around their dominant twin towers in the paint!
"Swish!" (The sound of a clean steal)
However, just as the basketball was in mid-air, the Kentucky Wildcats' number 1 jersey, Jinwoo, burst out from the wing.
"It's Jinwoo! Jinwoo of the Kentucky Wildcats bursts out from the wing, intercepting Duke University's pass in mid-air!"
Smith, at the courtside commentary table, spoke rapidly: "Incredible defensive judgment! Jinwoo abandoned his own defender early and ambushed the passing lane!"
On the court,
Jinwoo, who instantly completed the steal, landed with the ball, performed a behind-the-back dribble to evade Grayson Allen's desperate gambling steal, then galloped forward, counterattacking the frontcourt!
With the system's boost, the Duke Blue Devils' retreating players were quickly left far behind by Jinwoo.
Facing an empty basket, Jinwoo changed his three steps to two, taking a large stride into the position one step from the free-throw line, then soared for a tomahawk dunk!
"Boom!"
The powerful and heavy dunk made the cheers of the fans in the Staples Center even louder.
In the stands courtside, LeBron James also applauded excitedly!
"This kid's talent is even more exaggerated than mine when I was young!"
James clapped and excitedly gestured Jinwoo's dunking posture: "This game has completely turned into his personal dunking show!"
On the court, Jinwoo completely ignored James, who wanted to interact with him, and instead made a phone call gesture towards the Kardashian sisters, who were not far from him: "I hope to receive your call tonight!"
As if worried that the two of them might not understand his meaning, Jinwoo even specifically pointed at them.
"Sister, the person who just pointed at us is Jinwoo, the one I've been telling you about recently!"
In the stands, the observant Kylie Jenner immediately understood Jinwoo's meaning and said with a look of adoration, "Not only is he good at basketball, but most importantly, he's incredibly handsome!"
"And his future will definitely be very bright. If conditions allow, I really want to be his girlfriend!"
Hearing Kylie's words, Kendall Jenner next to her looked surprised.
Sister, haven't you always been uninterested in athletes?
And you've complained about my taste in men many times?
How has your taste changed so suddenly now?
"Sister, I know what you want to say!"
Noticing Kendall's strange look, Kylie completely ignored it: "I can tell you very seriously, it's Jinwoo who made me realize why you're so fascinated by men who play basketball!"
"It's just that I'm five years older than Jinwoo, I wonder if he'll mind ~"
Looking at the shy Kylie, Kendall dramatically rolled her eyes, then turned her gaze to Jinwoo.
After a careful look at his performance and physique, she muttered to herself, "Actually... he's really not bad."