NBA: GIANT KILLING

The night of the game, the arena was packed to capacity.

March Madness had reached a fever pitch, its viewership and attention rivaling that of the NBA itself.

This particular season would later be remembered as the legendary Class of '03, a golden era filled with extraordinary talents that sent basketball fans into a frenzy.

Tonight's matchup was brimming with anticipation.

Aina University, a team ranked outside the top ten, had defied all expectations to reach the semifinals. Their journey had been an improbable one—though luck played a role, the only true powerhouse they had encountered was Georgia Tech. Beyond that, they had faced relatively weaker opposition.

Marquette University, on the other hand, was a juggernaut. Led by the electrifying Dwyane Wade, they had stormed through the tournament, undefeated and unstoppable.

Wade, the man who would one day be known as Flash, was already dazzling spectators with his breathtaking speed and skill.

And yet, the true enigma of the night was Aina University's unlikely hero.

Oliver.

A name that, until recently, had been completely unknown. A player standing only 5'9" in a game dominated by giants.

And yet, this undersized warrior had dismantled Georgia Tech and dragged his team to the semifinals through sheer will and brilliance.

Both Oliver and Wade played as guards—positionally, they would be matched up against each other.

Who was the better player? The question had the entire stadium holding its breath.

The arena buzzed with excitement, and the presence of major media outlets heightened the atmosphere. FOX Sports had once again sent their trusted reporter, Tony, along with cameraman Aaron, to cover the game.

Marquette had its own dedicated coverage, led by ESPN's renowned journalist, Cyril.

As the two sets of reporters set up their cameras, their eyes met. There was an immediate flicker of rivalry in their expressions.

"Tony, right? The guy who's been hyping up Aina University?" Cyril greeted with a smirk.

Tony chuckled. "And you must be Cyril—the one who won't stop singing Wade's praises."

They had seen each other's names in countless articles.

Tony, who had covered every step of Aina University's Cinderella run, had gained some recognition within basketball circles. Cyril, meanwhile, had been championing Marquette's dominance, consistently heralding Wade as the tournament's most unstoppable force.

Now, on the biggest stage of the tournament yet, their respective allegiances added an extra layer of tension.

Cyril confidently declared, "Marquette is taking this one. Wade is just too strong."

Tony smiled, unfazed. "We'll see about that."

He glanced at the court, where Oliver was warming up. "I believe in Oliver. That kid is built for miracles."

Even before tip-off, the energy in the arena was electric.

Scouts and coaches from numerous NBA teams were in attendance. All of them wanted to see if this 5'9" point guard—who had seemingly defied logic—was a fluke or the real deal.

One game could be an anomaly.

Two? That was proof.

The game was scheduled to start at exactly 8 PM.

As the players stepped onto the court, the lineups were announced.

For Aina University: Oliver, Franklin, Golin, Reeves, and Muller.

For Marquette: Norton at point guard, Wade at shooting guard, Andrew at small forward, Aldington at power forward, and Gall at center.

From the moment they took their positions, it was clear who the leaders were.

On Marquette's side, Wade stood tall as their undisputed star.

On Aina's side, it was Oliver—standing much shorter than the others, yet commanding just as, if not more, attention.

His height was an undeniable contrast against the towering figures surrounding him. If someone had walked into the stadium without knowing his story, they would have dismissed him instantly.

But those who had followed the tournament knew better.

Aina University's improbable run was nothing short of a miracle.

And the man behind the miracle was Oliver.

The arena buzzed with anticipation. The semifinals had arrived, and the stakes had never been higher. Aina University, the tournament's dark horse, stood against the juggernaut that was Marquette University. The contrast couldn't be more striking—one team expected to dominate, the other daring to defy the odds.

Commentary Booth - Live Broadcast

"Ladies and gentlemen, this is what we've been waiting for! Aina University versus Marquette, underdog versus powerhouse—who will rise, and who will fall?"

The referee stepped into the center circle, tossing the ball high into the air.

Tip-Off.

"And we're underway! Gall gets up—wins the tip with authority! Norton is on it in an instant, securing possession for Marquette. He wastes no time, already scanning the floor. There! Wade's calling for it. A sharp nod, a signal, and Norton delivers—perfect pass, right into Wade's hands."

The moment Wade caught the ball, he was off like a gunshot. His first step left Franklin flat-footed, and in the blink of an eye, he was gone.

"WADE IS EXPLODING DOWN THE COURT! Look at that speed! Franklin reaches—too slow! Three strides and Wade is already at the rim—Textbook finish! LAYUP! Two points for Marquette!"

The crowd roared in approval. It had taken only fifteen seconds, but that was all Wade needed to make his presence known. This was why they called him Flash.

"Unbelievable! Wade just sliced through the defense like they weren't even there! Aina University has barely settled in, and they're already trailing!"

On the court, Franklin clenched his jaw. Wade's acceleration had been even more unreal in person. But when he turned to Oliver, he saw something unexpected—calm.

Oliver raised his hand, calling for the ball. Franklin passed it without hesitation. Now, it was his turn.

"And look at this—Oliver is smiling. No panic. No frustration. Just… confidence. Like he knew this moment was coming. He takes control of the ball, and here comes Norton—low stance, locked in. He's not taking Oliver lightly, and can you blame him? This guy has been defying expectations all season."

At 5'9", Oliver was at an instant disadvantage against Norton's wingspan. On paper, this was a nightmare matchup. But Oliver didn't see it that way. He dribbled with purpose, testing his opponent's reactions, scanning for the smallest crack in the defense.

"Oliver moves—crossover! Quick, sharp! Norton reacts—but wait, SPIN MOVE! OLIVER LEAVES HIM REELING!"

Norton stumbled. His hands reached for air where Oliver had been just a split second ago. The crowd gasped, and Marquette scrambled to recover. Andrew stepped up, cutting off the drive, but Oliver had already accounted for it.

A hesitation. A feint. Andrew bit.

"STEP-BACK! He creates space—pulls up—JUMPER! It's up—"

The ball hung in the air for a split second before dropping cleanly through the net.

"SWISH! OLIVER ANSWERS BACK WITH THREE! AINA TAKES THE LEAD!"

The crowd exploded. Fans leaped from their seats, their voices rising in unison.

"OH MY GOD, OLIVER!"

"He just dropped Norton!"

"This kid is unreal!"

The energy in the arena shifted. Aina wasn't here just to compete. They were here to win.

"What a response! Wade came out swinging, but Oliver just punched right back! This isn't just a game anymore—this is a showdown! Speed versus skill. A titan versus an underdog."

On the court, Wade's smirk faded. He studied Oliver for a long moment, his gaze sharp, calculating. Then, something changed in his expression—recognition.

He muttered to himself, just loud enough for those nearby to hear.

"This guy is the real deal."

And just like that, the duel had truly begun.