"Although many of these little guys are Five-Star High School Students, MVPs of high school leagues, when they come to my team, there will be no special treatment. If they want playing time, they have to earn it through performance."
Coach Calipari, just back from vacation, was holding a meeting with a group of coaching staff nearby. He hadn't been involved in the previous school team selection.
During his years coaching at the University of Kentucky, Calipari, with his exceptional vision and nurturing abilities, successfully unearthed and shaped a series of future stars.
At least more than twenty players he sent to the NBA have been honored as first-round picks in the draft.
Many talented high schoolers come to Kentucky for him, because they know that as long as their skills are up to par, this famous coach can send them into the NBA.
These achievements and honors have also established his absolute authority with the Wildcats.
"When recruiting players, some were promised their playing time," Assistant Coach Kenny said with a furrowed brow.
"Promises not made by me don't count. In this school team selection, even those scholarship freshmen must participate, and if they don't meet my standards, they can get out."
Calipari has always adopted a relatively fair attitude in selecting and nurturing players.
Although he focuses on nurturing certain players, as long as a player can prove their skill, he will immediately give them more playing time and opportunities.
Calipari knows very well that only by maintaining such an approach long-term can players' sense of competition and fighting spirit be stimulated, rather than allowing them to lose themselves in past fame.
After giving the coaching staff instructions for the upcoming work,
Calipari also came to the training ground and clapped his hands.
Seeing the coach arrive, everyone stopped training and came forward to him, quickly quieting down.
No one wants to leave a bad impression on the coach.
Zeng Xingyang curiously observed this NCAA famous coach.
Tall and elegantly dressed in a suit, his black hair mixed with some white strands, neatly combed back, his gaze was very sharp.
Calipari said, "Many of you want to enter the NBA. I know your goals, and I will not obstruct you from entering the draft."
"But if you want playing time to produce good stats, then you have to work for it."
These words were obviously directed at those Five-Star High School Students.
Towns, Devin Booker, and others nodded; this was the promise made to them before entering Kentucky, a promise that they would not be obstructed from entering the NBA.
Now, with Calipari's confirmation, they felt more at ease.
"All those rumors about the new Wildcats roster being predetermined are nonsense. I'm telling you now, the number of confirmed personnel on the list is zero; nothing is confirmed."
"I can assure you, we will ultimately make an absolutely fair selection."
"So, during this time, display your value and fight for a spot on the Wildcats!"
Calipari's words excited players beyond the super talents.
They had heard many rumors about lists being predetermined, with some superstar freshmen securing spots without selection.
Calipari's words gave them hope.
Zeng Xingyang was one of them, admiring someone who maintains fairness like this.
However, Zeng Xingyang also knew that the reason those Five-Star High School Students are famous is because of their strength, not because of their beloved fathers.
So Calipari's operation wouldn't affect them in the slightest.
Consider Towns, Booker — would their skills keep them out of the school team? What a joke.
What Calipari said was inspiring, but most people knew the school team would have a total of 15 members. Some veterans in their sophomore, junior, and senior years would take up some slots. Those Five-Star, Four-Star High School Students would also take up some slots, leaving possibly two or three slots for real competition.
"At the end of the month, we have a friendly game with the University of Florida Gators. Be prepared."
Calipari's words were magnetic, and he continued, "Of course, playing opportunities depend on your training performance during this period. I hope you can conquer the coaching staff with your skills."
Zeng Xingyang's mind became active; with less than two weeks until the end of the month, he had to intensify his training. Let's see if he can train his shooting to Level 4.
What troubled Zeng Xingyang now wasn't whether he was tired but how to allocate his training time and physical stamina.
Besides shooting, he also needed training in positioning.
"Training intensity shouldn't exceed physical limits, or else it will cause injuries, so it's essential to grasp that balance."
"If I showcase a very prominent 3&D attribute in the game, my chances of staying on the team would greatly increase."
Zeng Xingyang cheered himself up.
After Calipari finished speaking, Zeng Xingyang continued training.
Sometimes, when there were too many people shooting, Zeng Xingyang would practice positioning on the side, ensuring he wouldn't have any energy left when he returned to the dorm.
For several consecutive days, Zeng Xingyang trained madly like this.
.....
Calipari's return from vacation also meant that the staff of the Kentucky Wildcats entered a high gear for the new season's preparation.
The coaching staff's office was on the third floor of the gym, overlooking the entire court through large glass windows.
At 11 PM, the lights were dazzling.
Assistant Coach Kenny was reporting the basketball team's selection work to Calipari, focusing on the recent situations of Towns, Booker, Lyles, and others.
"How about that guy over there?" Calipari asked, looking at the court outside the glass.
"Who?" Kenny looked puzzled, turning to look outside the glass.
"I've seen this guy train until this time for three consecutive days now," Calipari said, taking a sip from his water cup and continuing, "His willpower is very strong."
Calipari could clearly differentiate between players whose training was a performance and those who were truly diligent.
Truly diligent players pay attention to efficiency and results, using various methods to improve their performance efficiency, ensuring every part receives adequate attention and reflecting to improve the efficiency of future tasks.
Those pretending to work hard often show inefficiency, and their efforts are typically superficial, lacking depth and substantive results.
Zeng Xingyang's training method focused significantly on efficiency. He was genuinely finding ways to train rather than putting on a show of effort.
"Zeng Xingyang, from China, he's not on a basketball scholarship. I know him. His training intensity is high, but his talents, except for height and wingspan, are somewhat lacking in other aspects. He's currently not meeting our selection standards," Kenny said.
"Hmm, let's continue to observe for a while and see if he has potential. If not, so be it," Calipari said.
"OK!" Kenny replied.
"In our team currently, whether inside or outside, the players initiating the offense are strong, but we're still missing some personnel for defense and catch-and-shoot three-pointers," Calipari continued.
The Wildcats aren't lacking 3&D players, but indeed, there are fewer such personnel.
"Hmm, I'll try my best to keep an eye out for players with such characteristics," Kenny said.