Basketball System: Rebound of the Underdog

The cafeteria was filled with chatter and the clatter of cutlery against plates as players from all over the world gathered.

The Elite Five, along with the veteran team and their coach, sat together at one of the longer tables, still located near the dish-out area. It became their unofficial seats now—one that didn't leave a good taste in their mouths.

"I can't believe it," Max grumbled, leaning back in his seat with a sigh. "No banana muffins today, too. I've been dreaming of eating it for days."

"We came early, too," Zheng muttered, slouching forward with his chin resting on his palm. "It's a tragedy."

Jimmy shot them both a disapproving look. "It's just muffins."

"You don't understand," Max cut in, wagging a finger. "Banana muffins are the fuel of champions."

Across the table, Dong shook his head with a knowing smile. "You're all still young," he said, a hint of amusement in his voice. "Worrying about muffins like it's the end of the world. What's next, crying over spilled milk?"

The Elite Five grumbled collectively in response, but before anyone could defend their honor, Kai felt a strong hand clap him on the back.

"Nice shot, kid," came a voice from behind.

Kai glanced up, startled for a moment, before recognizing the tall figure of one of the American players—Steven Murr. Steven gave him an approving nod before walking past with his plate, his acknowledgment sparking murmurs among some of the other players nearby.

Kai sat up straighter, nodding back with a tight smile.

"Oooh," Max teased, leaning toward Kai with an exaggerated grin. "Looks like someone's got fans, even among the vets. You're famous now."

Kai rolled his eyes but couldn't hide the small smirk tugging at his lips. "Shut up, Max."

The banter continued until a hoarse grumble cut through the noise. All heads turned toward the end of the table, where Coach Xu Wei sat.

"Alright, boys, that's enough chatter for today," he began. "Look around. Take a good look at who you're up against."

The players followed his instructions, glancing around the room at the teams seated at different tables. Kai's eyes swept over the crowd, picking out familiar flags and jerseys.

The French team sat a few tables over, their sharp accents heard through the distance.

Nearby, the Japanese team carried themselves calmly, heads held high as they ate.

At the far end of the room, the Australians leaned back in their seats, laughing loudly amongst themselves, their energy the highest among the rest of the teams.

And dominating the room with their presence, the United States team sat together, most teams stealing glances toward their way.

"These are the twelve teams," Coach Xu Wei continued. "Eleven of them earned their spots through the world championships. The best of the best. Meanwhile, we," he paused, letting his gaze linger on his players, "are here because we're the host country. That's it. Most of these teams don't respect us, and some of you have probably already felt it."

The group silently nodded. Despite his awesome shot yesterday, he could still feel the slight judgment in the air. He let out a small sigh as he looked back at their coach.

Coach Xu Wei gestured toward the cafeteria, his finger sweeping across the room. "The twelve teams competing are China, France, Japan, the United States, Australia, Spain, Brazil, Germany, Canada, South Korea, Italy, and Argentina."

"We'll be divided into three brackets, four teams each. Your opponents in the bracket will determine how we advance."

He paused to glance at the clipboard in his hand.

"In Group C: China, Japan, Spain, and Australia."

Kai's head shot up at that. Japan was already a powerhouse team, and Spain had a reputation for relentless offense. Australia's physical playstyle would only add to the challenge.

Coach Xu Wei continued. "In Group B: France, Brazil, Germany, and South Korea."

"And finally, Group A: the United States, Canada, Italy, and Argentina."

The boys nodded in acknowledgment.

The United States was already favored to win the entire tournament, having taken the title for consecutive Global Games. But at least, Kai thought, they weren't in China's bracket—at least not yet.

"Now, listen carefully," Coach Xu Wei said, tapping the clipboard. "Here's how the tournament will play out. Each team earns two points for a win and one point for a loss. No points for forfeits or incomplete games. The top two teams from each bracket will automatically advance to the quarterfinals."

He paused, letting that sink in before continuing. "In addition, the seventh and eighth teams out of all twelve—those with the next highest points—will also move on to the quarterfinals. This means even if you don't make the top two in your bracket, there's still a chance to qualify. But you'll have to earn it."

The old man let out a deep breath, feeling a bit tired from all the talking.

"If there's a tie in points, the teams will play a tiebreaker match to decide who advances. From the quarterfinals onward, it's single elimination. One game. Win or go home. The matchups will be randomized, so don't assume anything."

Kai exchanged glances with Max and Jian, their expressions more serious now. Hearing the explanation from their coach made it seem more real.

"The semi-finals will continue to become a single elimination round. However, once we're down to the top two," Coach Xu Wei continued, "the finals will be decided in a best-of-three series. That means you'll need to win two games to secure the championship."

His voice grew sharper. "The team that takes the finals will be hailed as the world champions."

World champions. It was the kind of title every player dreamed of, the pinnacle of the sport.

Coach Xu Wei lowered the clipboard, his gaze sweeping over the room one last time. "This is your chance to prove yourselves—to your country, to the world, and to each other. Most of these teams already think they've got us figured out. They see us as an easy win, a roadblock they'll brush past. It's up to you to show them they're wrong."

Coach Xu Wei paused to take a bite out of the chicken leg on his plate. "Get ready. The real battle starts now."