Chapter 140: Gao Ming’s Ambition

In a luxurious five-star international chain hotel in the Nankai District of Jinghai City, the North American Chinese Youth Team, having fought their way into the finals of the National Games youth basketball tournament, was holding a meeting in a grand conference room.

In fact, even before the official opening of these National Games, there had been criticism regarding the overseas teams staying in luxury hotels. While athletes from other provinces and regions were housed in standard athlete dormitories, a large portion of these overseas Chinese athletes were accommodated in five-star hotels. Some media outlets had questioned this, arguing it was unfair to other athletes and that all participants should be treated equally. However, the Jinghai National Games Organizing Committee did not force the overseas athletes to move to the standard facilities; as this was the first time overseas Chinese had participated, the situation had been unforeseen, and they had to make do with the current arrangements.

The North American Chinese Youth Team was able to stay at this internationally renowned hotel because their participation was sponsored by the North American Chinese General Chamber of Commerce, and the hotel happened to be owned by one of the chamber's members.

Inside the opulent multi-functional conference room, the players were listening to their head coach, Gao Ming, explain the game plan.

"Turgun Memet, the core point guard for the Xinjiang Youth Team. So far, he averages 21.6 points and 7.3 assists per game, playing 29.5 minutes. His three-point shooting percentage is 54.3%, and his average distance covered per game is estimated to exceed 6,500 meters. Threat level: five stars."

"He is an atypical point guard. 184 centimeters tall, 71 kilograms, lean, runs actively, possesses excellent ball-handling skills, and has superior change-of-direction ability. He is right-handed, and his success rate when driving to the right is over 20% higher than when driving to the left. I suggest applying defensive pressure to his right side."

Gao Ming’s voice was steady and devoid of any emotional fluctuation, as if he were presenting a scientific paper. The players listening below responded to his words with varying degrees of engagement; many were curling their lips, as they felt Gao Ming was more like a machine—a machine without feelings.

Gao Ming, who had just turned thirty this year, did not come from a professional basketball background. On the contrary, four years ago, his primary profession was that of a data actuary. A graduate of Princeton University with a degree in applied mathematics, Gao Ming did not enter the insurance or banking industries as expected after obtaining his doctorate. Instead, he embarked on a path that surprised everyone.

Four years ago, the newly graduated Gao Ming used his precise data processing and analytical skills to become an assistant coach for the Princeton University basketball team. The head coach at the time, Anthony Plitt, was amazed by Gao Ming’s keen observational skills and superhuman composure. One year later, Gao Ming ousted the man who had hired him, becoming the youngest head coach in the history of the Princeton team and the first Chinese foreign-born head coach in the university's history. Two years later, he led the team to the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA tournament, achieving the best record in the school's history.

Afterward, Gao Ming was unilaterally dismissed by Princeton. After failing to secure a coaching position with an NBA team, he remained unemployed for a year. At the beginning of this year, he made a comeback as the head coach of the North American Youth Team.

In truth, many people did not understand why Princeton had dismissed the man who had brought them their best season, but Gao Ming knew the reason all too well. Although the rising power of the Republic had improved the status of Chinese and ethnic Chinese abroad, unspoken rules and discrimination still existed in certain circles. After Gao Ming expelled a white guard with racist tendencies from the team, he knew his days were numbered. Beyond the fact that the player's father was a member of the board of trustees, Gao Ming’s refusal to renounce his Republic citizenship had left many dissatisfied. He knew that even in the supposedly most open and inclusive North American universities, there was no room for an outstanding foreign head coach, especially one from the Republic.

Having returned to his home country, Gao Ming had no intention of leaving again. He could have easily found a high-paying job relying on his academic credentials, but he harbored a grand goal. Viewed through the lens of an actuary, the success rate might be low, but he was determined to persist. He wanted to prove himself—and not just for his own sake, but for many others as well.

Winning the National Games youth basketball championship was, in his eyes, just a short-term, minor goal. He intended to use this title as his calling card to enter the domestic basketball scene and, step by step, realize his grand ambition.

However, to win the title, he faced one major obstacle: his next opponent, the Xinjiang Youth Team.

Many of the North American players felt their final opponents were not even worth mentioning. Based on previous games, they believed domestic players were simply not their match—a gap that was all-encompassing, covering physical fitness, fundamental skills, and tactical awareness. Sailing smoothly into the finals had made them somewhat arrogant.

Gao Ming, however, did not share this view. Although his analysis suggested the Xinjiang Youth Team had less than a 40% chance of defeating his squad, he maintained that this opponent was extraordinary—a team that had transcended the conventional basketball philosophy.

"The final one: Wang Lei. A former member of the Republic’s national men’s basketball team. Height 196 centimeters, weight unknown. He became the head coach of the Xinjiang Youth Team last October and had no prior coaching experience. He is our greatest enemy, and the most dangerous one."

After detailing every player on the Xinjiang team, Gao Ming finally spoke of Wang Lei, and for the first time, his tone fluctuated—a rare occurrence.

"Boss, he’s just a coach; he won’t be playing. Besides, he couldn't even if he wanted to. I heard he only has one leg. Ha!"

As soon as Gao Ming finished, someone in the crowd began to jeer. Being players raised abroad, they were accustomed to such an atmosphere, and they didn't see it as impolite.

"Yes, you are right. He does only have one leg, but he also has one more brain than you. Your head is full of muscles, while that man’s head holds a philosophy that transcends current basketball theory."

Gao Ming’s words were sharp and incisive. He had truly seen through the reality of the Xinjiang Youth Team.