"Eh?!"
Off the court.
Many of the newcomers stared in shock—especially Shane Kureno and Ray Fuller.
Shane was stunned by his friend's sudden improvement over the break.
As for Ray Fuller, who also specializes in technical footwork and shooting, he knew exactly how difficult it was to pull off a high-speed retreat after a complex crossover. The retreat speed didn't drop—it increased.
And the extra distance created...
As a fellow shooter, he was shaken to the core.
"This guy... just like Hugh Morrison earlier—he's insanely strong too…"
"Wait, they're both freshmen?!"
"Hey…"
"Don't tell me you're not as good as them?"
"No way!"
"They're just... rare exceptions! Freak talents! Only a few like that exist, right?"
Amid the buzzing whispers, Coach Platinum—who had been monitoring Hugh Morrison on Court 1—slowly walked between Court 1 and Court 3.
Clearly, Shigure Akito had risen in his mind.
At the same time...
As everyone was still recovering from Shigure's shocking performance, the quick, rhythmic sound of a dribbling ball echoed from Court 1, drawing everyone's attention.
Akito glanced over instinctively.
On Court 1, it was currently the Second Team's offensive round.
From the look of the player's advanced ball-handling and smooth rhythm, he clearly had solid skills—worthy of the Second Team. After a series of feints, he managed to spin around and pass the impatient Hugh Morrison.
But Hugh's explosive speed allowed him to recover instantly. From his composed expression and effortless footwork, it was clear:
He had let the opponent through on purpose.
And that was the case.
With half-lidded eyes, Hugh Morrison casually followed the play toward the basket.
From Akito's angle, Hugh looked bored—but as soon as the Second Team player drove hard toward the hoop, his expression shifted to one of subtle contempt.
Meanwhile…
Inside the paint, the Second Team player saw the open rim and lit up with joy. He surged forward and leaped with full power!
He wanted to slam one down—repay the new guy who had dunked earlier!
He used all the physical strength he'd honed through a year of training!
Let's show you what a real dunk looks like!
Bang!
Launching off his left foot, he stomped hard, stretched his arm out—and prepared for a one-handed slam.
But just as he went up—
Wham!!
He was denied.
A dark blur flew in from behind like a shadow.
A hand appeared from out of nowhere and palmed the ball mid-air—like fate itself grabbing his soul.
The Second Team player froze—completely locked up in mid-air!
Then—
Thud.
Whoosh~!
The ball was swatted far away by Hugh Morrison. By coincidence, it landed right in the hands of Akito on Court 3, who blinked in surprise.
"..."
That block… the distance…
Can a freshman really have that kind of strength?
That was unreal.
Not just strength, either—the speed and vertical leap were terrifying.
If this is the level of Hugh Morrison right now...
Then what will it be like when the future "Generation of Miracles" faces him next year?
But even as Akito stood shocked by Hugh's insane ability...
One minute later...
Hugh Morrison was just as stunned—but this time, it was by Akito.
—
Court 3.
Ichiro Jensen of the Second Team had barely recovered from being stripped earlier, but this time, his jump shot was disrupted by Akito's impressive "80" defensive interference rating.
Without saying a word, Ichiro walked to the top of the arc and prepared to defend again. He moved up one full step, determined to shut Akito down.
He had already identified Akito's strength—shooting.
So this time, he focused entirely on guarding the shot. He had to stop him.
After all...
This might have started as a rookie test—but if he wasn't careful, it could turn into his evaluation.
Right then—
Akito held the ball near the top of the arc.
And suddenly, a notification popped up in his mind.
His ultimate move was charged.
[Ultimate Move: Freeze Moment]
A lightning-quick drive followed by a sudden freeze and large step-back. Automatically knocks down any opponent who can be knocked down.
The next moment—
Akito activated Freeze Moment without hesitation!
Even though Ichiro was guarding him tightly, to Akito, his defense felt like a flickering candle—ready to be snuffed out with one breath.
Off the court.
Just as Hugh Morrison finished scoring again, he casually looked over toward Court 3.
All anyone saw was Akito breaking Ichiro down with a blindingly fast dribble combo!
Then—just as it looked like a drive—
Freeze!
His body snapped into a still frame—perfect balance, perfect pause.
Whoosh~!
And then—he launched backward, quick as a bullet.
From Ichiro's point of view, Akito's figure suddenly flew away from him—like he was skating on ice!
He couldn't react.
And worse—
His vision dropped until he was looking at Akito's knees!
Ichiro: "!?"
"Not good!"
Thud!
Down he went.
Flat on his butt.
Under everyone's stunned gaze...
Ichiro Jensen—got knocked down.