"D'Angelo, what the hell happened to your face? Did you get into a car accident?"
Ohio State University, United States
Chris Holtmann, head coach of the Ohio State Buckeyes, looked at his star player, D'Angelo Russell, with concern as he noticed the bandages wrapped around the young man's forehead.
"Uh…"
Russell's face darkened. After glancing around to make sure no one else was nearby, he muttered,
"It wasn't a car accident, Coach. I… tripped down the stairs last night."
He kept his head down.
There was no way he'd tell his coach the real story behind those injuries.
"Anyway, Coach, forget about my injury for now."
"I'm here today to tell you about someone important."
Russell's tone turned serious.
"Actually, scratch that—it's more accurate to say I'm here to tell you about a basketball monster!"
"A basketball monster?"
Holtmann raised an eyebrow and took a sip from his water bottle, amused.
The term brought back memories from his early coaching days—specifically 2007, when Ohio State had its own interior powerhouse.
Greg Oden.
In the 2006–07 season, Oden appeared in 32 games, averaging 28.9 minutes, 15.7 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 3.3 blocks.
He led the Buckeyes all the way to the NCAA Championship game.
Unfortunately, Oden was limited by a knee injury during the final and couldn't go full throttle.
They ultimately fell short against a stacked Florida Gators team featuring Joakim Noah, Al Horford, Corey Brewer, and Taurean Green.
Even then, Oden dropped a monster stat line: 25 points, 12 rebounds, 4 blocks — practically carrying Ohio State on his back.
Holtmann firmly believed that if Oden had been fully healthy, that championship trophy would've come home to Columbus.
To him, Oden was the definition of a basketball monster.
Anyone else? Just not in the same league.
"Coach, I'm serious…"
Russell leaned in.
"I saw this guy yesterday on the outdoor court. His physical attributes are insane."
"He's gotta be at least 7'1", maybe even heavier than 285 pounds."
"He's built like a tank. Muscles everywhere. His arms? Like twin cannons strapped with jet engines."
"Oh—and he broke the backboard on a dunk. It's all over the school forum."
"But that's not even the craziest part…"
"He moves like a guard, super agile. And his bounce? It's Vince Carter-level!"
Holtmann had been listening with a casual smile — after all, on a campus as big as Ohio State's, running into some tall and strong kid wasn't unheard of.
Even breaking an old outdoor hoop wasn't a big deal. Those rims hadn't been replaced in years.
But as Russell kept going, Holtmann's eyebrows twitched.
Guard-like agility? Vince Carter's vertical?
What is this — Shaq meets Carter?
If that kind of player actually exists… even Greg Oden would be outclassed.
"You're not pulling my leg, right, D'Angelo?"
Holtmann's expression turned serious.
Even if the description was a bit exaggerated, he trusted Russell enough to know there had to be something special about the guy.
In truth, Russell had actually downplayed the situation.
What really happened was that his new girlfriend wanted to see him in action—wanted a taste of that "D1 athlete energy".
Like any guy trying to impress a girl, Russell brought her to the outdoor courts for a little showcase.
He was ready to go full Jordan on these pickup scrubs.
But just as he stepped onto the court, a massive Asian dude showed up with three scrawny-looking friends and said:
"Mind if we run next? We're not that good."
Then… the game turned into this Asian Beast's personal slam dunk contest.
Not only did he obliterate Russell's moment to shine…
He literally shattered the backboard.
Worse yet, the entire hoop crashed down—and the backboard smacked Russell square on the forehead.
He ended up being rushed to the athletic training room with a swollen bump and a wounded ego.
Of course, there was no way he'd ever tell Coach Holtmann that.
Getting knocked out by a backboard? That's Hall of Shame material.
"Coach, I'm telling you—he's even more of a freak than I'm making him sound. We just found a hidden gem."
"A hidden gem?" Holtmann repeated. "You're saying he wants to join our team?"
"If I'm not mistaken" Russell nodded, "he's super interested. He was the one who walked me to the trainer's office, and we had a long talk. He really wants to play for the Buckeyes."
"He stayed with him at the training room?" Holtmann thought, raising an eyebrow.
Maybe there was more to Russell's injury than he was letting on…
Still, all that aside, the idea of this "monster" from China had Holtmann genuinely intrigued.
"If he's anywhere close to what you just described, then of course — we'll welcome him with open arms."
"And to be honest, we do need a dominant center to pair with you."
Back in 2007, the Buckeyes weren't just about Greg Oden. They also had Mike Conley Jr., their brilliant floor general.
It was that inside-out combo that made them nearly unstoppable.
If what Russell was saying was true…
Russell + this interior beast = a Buckeye renaissance.
"Awesome. I'll hit him up tonight and have him come in for a tryout tomorrow."
Russell's face lit up.
If this guy really joined the team…
Russell was convinced the whole NCAA would become his personal playground.
No one could stop D'Angelo Russell in scrub-destroying mode.
"Actually—don't wait until tomorrow."
Holtmann's excitement was obvious.
"Call him right after this. Let's set up the tryout for tonight."
"Got it! Oh—and I forgot to tell you his name."
"What's his name?"
"Su Pan."