In the next few days, Zeng Xingyang gradually adapted to the training rhythm of the Wildcats.
Compared to before, this team's overall training and single-item training are systematic and structured.
He can now use the shooting machine for training, which he didn't have the qualification to use before, making his shooting more efficient.
His training plan and diet are now managed by specialized staff, so he doesn't need to worry too much.
Calipari mainly organizes tactical training and controls the overall situation.
The Wildcats have a lot of tactics, enough to fill a nearly 100-page book.
At this stage, Zeng Xingyang may not necessarily play better than his teammates, but when it comes to brainpower and intelligence, he surpasses them.
After all, most of them come with basketball scholarships, big strong muscular guys, while Zeng Xingyang is different, he came with an academic scholarship.
Their biggest worry isn't how to improve their personal skills, but how to pass those college exams.
Sometimes, after training, some teammates would bring their homework to the sidelines to ask Zeng Xingyang.
Of course, there's another person with good intelligence, Towns.
Unlike many NBA players who are often not as strong in academics, Towns is an excellent student both in terms of conduct and academic performance.
Ever since he was a child, besides basketball training, Towns' parents required him to ensure three hours of study time every night. When he graduated high school, Towns' GPA was as high as 3.96, with the full score being 4...
Perhaps because they both are smart, Towns and Zeng Xingyang get along very well, often discussing many topics beyond basketball.
Zeng Xingyang's knowledge from living two lives also broadened Towns' horizons.
Towns even joked with Zeng Xingyang saying that he'd have Zeng Xingyang help him with investments in the future...
Booker also occasionally comes over to chat with Zeng Xingyang and Towns, sharing stories about his girlfriends.
Recently, he said he's been chatting spiritedly with Kendall Jenner on social media and recently met up for a date.
Being valued by the coach and having harmonious relationships with teammates, Zeng Xingyang quickly adapted to the environment of the Wildcats.
Usually, after team-organized training ends, Zeng Xingyang also engages in additional practice.
However, under his influence, he wasn't practicing alone, gradually other teammates would also appear.
Towns and Booker often stay together for extra practice.
Kenny Payne occasionally accompanies the three, often providing corrections to their training.
Finally, in the gym a week after the school team was formed.
Zeng Xingyang felt his muscles tense up, and then suddenly release, filled with energy.
"Ding, power attribute upgraded!"
[Power: Level 2]
[Experience: 1/1000]
[Remark: Possess NCAA-level strength]
Upon hearing the system prompt, Zeng Xingyang said to Kenny Payne, "Add another 5 kilograms."
Zeng Xingyang had just been doing 75 kilograms bench press training, able to push it 8 times. Now he wants to try 80 kilograms directly.
Kenny Payne asked in surprise, "Are you sure? Don't push yourself too hard, it's easy to get injured."
"I'm sure, I want to try my best, it was just a warm-up."
"Alright."
After getting confirmation, Kenny Payne quickly increased the weight.
"Ah!"
"Ah!"
....
Zeng Xingyang pushed 80 kilograms for 10 consecutive times.
Guards usually don't have the bench press strength of forwards and centers because guards require more flexibility and speed rather than pure strength.
However, Kenny Payne saw this scene and said, "Zeng, your bench progress is very fast; already better than many NCAA guards."
Curry's bench weight is only 5 kilograms more than Zeng Xingyang, and both can do 10 times.
Kenny Payne is very surprised by Zeng Xingyang's growth after each training session; the growth rate is visible to the naked eye.
Compared to Towns and Booker, their extra practice doesn't seem to have the obvious effect as Zeng Xingyang.
Zeng Xingyang waved his hand modestly, "Coach, your training is more scientific, far superior to my previous explorations."
Kenny Payne shook his head, "Your growth potential is high; other players haven't progressed as fast as you."
Zeng Xingyang laughed, "I feel Devin and Carl are progressing faster; you will certainly nurture all of us into NBA players."
Recently, Zeng Xingyang focused on training defense and this power.
The upgrade in power also improved his defense a bit, obviously showing some correlation between the two attributes.
Defense was already upgraded to Level 2 yesterday, and today's power improvement further enhanced Zeng Xingyang's strength.
Shooting Level 3, Positioning Level 2, Power Level 2, Defense Level 2, Dribbling Level 1.
With these abilities combined, Zeng Xingyang felt there wasn't much problem playing in the NCAA.
The next step was to continuously upgrade these abilities, rapidly raising them to NBA level.
After upgrading these abilities, the speed of improvement through training is somewhat slower; to further improve quickly requires opportunities on the field.
Zeng Xingyang already knew that experience gained on the field is faster than through training.
Real combat, real combat is the most important thing.
The total number of NCAA games is almost half as many as NBA games, as long as Zeng Xingyang has stable rotation time, he is confident of achieving this goal before the draft.
Feeling the exhilaration from the power upgrade, Zeng Xingyang proceeded with enthusiasm in the bench press training.
Watching Zeng Xingyang, Kenny Payne took a glance at Towns and Booker in the distance, couldn't help but think: "Do I also have the possibility of becoming an NBA team coach?"
.....
The next day, at four in the afternoon.
In the basketball court, groups of players were chatting, killing time.
Zeng Xingyang didn't waste a moment, continuing his three-point shooting practice with his friend Towns feeding the ball.
Towns had already gotten used to Zeng Xingyang's pace, knowing that Zeng Xingyang is a training maniac, seizing every available moment for training.
Towns is generally lazy in character, but he knew this laziness is not okay; he hoped to be influenced by Zeng Xingyang and become a bit more hardworking.
"Swish!"
"Swish!"
"Swish!"
....
With the enhancement in power, Zeng Xingyang's shooting distance extended slightly; he can now maintain shooting stability even when stepping a bit outside the three-point line.
Zeng Xingyang hopes to one day reach the shooting range of Curry.
...
As Coach Calipari arrived with five assistant coaches, the atmosphere became tense.
Zeng Xingyang immediately ended the temporary training and stood with Towns in front of Calipari.
Calipari announced that the Kentucky Wildcats will organize an internal training match.
This kind of internal training match is different from tactical training, conducted entirely according to real match standards.
Every person's training results, and tactical understanding will be demonstrated in real combat.
With the start of the new season approaching, everyone knows what such training matches mean.
Holding a tactical board, Calipari said, "Assistant coaches have reported to me about your personal training situation. I will decide the rotation personnel for the new season opener based on tactical training and this practice match performance."
Calipari continued, "Now I'll talk about the groupings for the scrimmage: Group A, Andrew Harris (Point Guard), Aaron Harrison (Shooting Guard), Trey Lyles (Small Forward), Willie Cauley-Stein (Power Forward), Dakari Johnson (Center), Todd Lant (Shooting Guard), Sam Malone (Point Guard)..."
"Group B: Tyler Ulis (Point Guard), Devin Booker (Shooting Guard), Alex (Small Forward), Derek Willis (Power Forward), Karl-Anthony Towns (Center), Brian Lang (Point Guard), Marcus Lee (Center), Zeng Xingyang (Shooting Guard)"
Players quickly divided into two groups standing together.
Both teams started exchanging trash talk.
"Rookie, I'll give you a few Chinese firepots." Dakari Johnson shouted to Zeng Xingyang opposite.
"Hey, the premise is he gets a chance to play; as long as he's on the court, clear for isolation." Aaron Harrison said laughing beside him.
Aaron Harrison knew well the crisis he faces; the starter shooting guard position belongs to Devin Booker, can't compete.
So he can only vie for the substitute position now; normally he doesn't train as hard as Zeng Xingyang and lacks Zeng Xingyang's thorough tactical understanding. If he can't win in real combat, his rotation positioning will inevitably be behind Zeng Xingyang.
"You better worry about yourself; I'm going to blow you up." Booker said.
Seeing Booker staring like this, Aaron Harrison couldn't laugh; Booker is about to face off against him.
"You matching up with me; I want to taste what firepot feels like?" Towns also responded to Dakari Johnson.
Hearing Towns say this, Dakari Johnson backed down.
Zeng Xingyang laughed heartily beside.
These two fools, completely ignoring their match-ups with Booker and Towns; how could they not be annoyed.