Stadumier was the 9th pick in the 2002 draft and the first high school player in NBA history to be named Rookie of the Year. However, his award was controversial. His stats and efficiency weren’t better than Caron Butler’s or Yao Ming’s... but he ultimately won because his team made the playoffs.

Despite being drafted out of high school, he didn’t really have an age advantage, as he was already 20 when he entered the league. Su Xi, who played two years of college, was a year younger when he joined. After all, Stadumier had spent six years in high school, attending five different schools.

Stadumier was physically gifted. His explosiveness and leaping ability were in the super-talent tier, and his agility, coordination, strength, and speed were all excellent. He was a high-flying, explosive power forward, and many commentators believed he had the potential to surpass the heights of Kemp.

Syracuse didn’t pass to Su Xi. Instead, he made a crossover move outside the three-point line and pulled up for the shot.

CLANK!

The ball hit iron.

It bounced high into the air.

Stadumier was about to charge in for what should have been an easy defensive rebound, but he found his lower body completely sealed off. Su Xi had him boxed out, and he couldn’t move an inch.

Su Xi wasn’t as heavy, but boxing out Stadumier’s lower body wasn’t difficult.

Su Xi accurately judged where the ball would come down, leaped up, and tapped it with his left hand. The ball changed its trajectory, falling softly and obediently into the net.

SWISH!

The ball went in.

"You call yourself a big man?"

Su Xi sneered at Stadumier. "Who do you think you are, talking trash to me?"

Su Xi’s trash talk infuriated Stadumier. He glared at Su Xi. "You’re asking for it. If you’ve got the guts, come guard me."

"That’s exactly what I’m here for."

Su Xi said with a serious expression, "Do you dare try to take me one-on-one?"

They traded barbs as they made their way to the frontcourt.

Stadumier urgently called for the ball from Jalric. Jalric passed it to Stadumier, who was standing at the free-throw line.

Su Xi stood right in front of him, arms spread wide, his hands active and disruptive.

There was a huge difference in their physiques. Stadumier was 208cm tall, while Su Xi was 192cm barefoot. In terms of build, Stadumier looked much more imposing.

So, to any observer, it looked like a clear mismatch.

Only Su Xi didn’t think so. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

If he could shut down the center, Collison, in the NCAA finals, he could certainly handle Stadumier now.

Stadumier was more talented than Collison.

But Su Xi’s own physical talents were on a whole new level now.

Super Explosiveness Talent: 98.

Super Speed Talent: 97.

Super Strength Talent: 97.

Super Flexibility Talent: 100.

Super Coordination Talent: 92.

Leaping Talent: 78.

Agility Talent: 79.

Stamina Talent: 77.

Suffice to say, Su Xi’s overall talent wasn’t much different from Stadumier’s. In some key areas, he even had a significant advantage.

So when Su Xi spread his arms and swarmed him, Stadumier felt completely uncomfortable.

He didn’t feel the easy confidence that usually came with a big man taking on a smaller one.

He subconsciously turned his back, trying to use his body to back Su Xi down.

But his back-to-the-basket technique was terrible.

And his lower body strength was average at best.

THUMP!

He bumped into Su Xi, but Su Xi didn’t budge an inch. In fact, it was Stadumier who stumbled, a clear sign of poor technique and an unstable base.

If his technique were even slightly better, he wouldn’t have been so easily thrown off balance, given his size.

Su Xi didn’t give him a chance to recover.

’Better luck next time.’

SMACK!

The moment Stadumier stumbled, Su Xi pounced. With startling flexibility, he reached around Stadumier’s body and slapped the ball away.

Then, he took the ball and sprinted down to the frontcourt.

Stadumier was caught completely off guard, frozen in place.

"That’s the skill of a steals leader! With ball-handling like that, Stadumier shouldn’t even dream of trying to show off in front of Jack..."

Charles Barkley shouted excitedly on the broadcast.

As Barkley was shouting, Su Xi drove into the frontcourt paint. Ignoring LeBron James trailing him, he stormed the restricted area and finished with a powerful two-handed dunk.

The elevation wasn’t extraordinary, but the power was immense.

It was a display of pure, brutal aesthetics.

After the powerful dunk, Su Xi spread his arms wide. Led by the arena DJ, the entire Los Angeles crowd chanted in unison: "Su! Su! Su!"

He was radiating pure dominance.

That one dunk from Su Xi was worth more than all the flashy, superficial baskets that had come before it.

Basketball isn’t a dinner party. It’s not about looking pretty. It’s about one player dominating and brutalizing another!

If it’s not intense, what’s the point?

Su Xi just taught the rookies a lesson.

On the sidelines, A.C. Green couldn’t help but remark, "Jack’s defense is incredible."

In the instant Su Xi stripped Stadumier and charged furiously down the court, the devout Christian had even felt the urge to swear.

But his faith held him back.

Doug Collins also had a realization. From that single transition play, he saw the potential: Jack could absolutely follow the path of a two-way superstar. He had more of an on-court presence than LeBron James.

There was a reason they said Collins was the head coach hand-picked by the God of Basketball. How could a man destined to be a kingmaker not have such a sharp eye for talent?

Meanwhile, Su Xi jogged back to the sophomores’ half of the court. He glanced at Stadumier. "With your skill level, you’re not even fit to shine my shoes. And you wanted to post me up?"

Su Xi’s tone dripped with sarcasm and mockery.

Stadumier was absolutely livid.

Before he could say a word, Su Xi unleashed another verbal barrage. "Every camera in this arena is recording me destroying you. A scrub like you should stop daydreaming about ruling the league."