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Prose is dead certain Zack's future lies in the NBA.
It's not just because of Zack's steady progress over the past six months. It's because Prose knows his story.
In Prose's eyes, a guy like Zack—a prodigal son who's turned it around—has already tempered his heart with konjou long before stepping foot in the NBA.
Over his long coaching career, Prose has seen countless prodigies rise and just as many crash like shooting stars.
He knows that for a young player climbing toward the peak, talent alone isn't enough. Mindset is just as critical.
Take swapping Vince Carter and Kobe Bryant's bodies. Kobe would probably still be Kobe, but Carter? He might not stay the half-man, half-god.
At Cameron Indoor Stadium, as Sheldon Williams kept getting schooled by Zack on offense, Duke's bench, led by the sharp-eyed Mike Krzyzewski, was already forming a verdict.
On the court, after Zack drained a three-pointer for the Demon Deacons from the perimeter, Coach K couldn't shake the feeling that Zack's style tonight was… weird. But based solely on how he was locking down Sheldon defensively, Coach K saw a potential and talent in Zack that dwarfed Sheldon's.
Height? Zack had a few centimeters on Sheldon, yet he moved with more agility.
Arms? His wingspan was just as freakish.
And get this—he was even bulkier than Sheldon, who's known for his strength.
What kind of human has this kind of physical package?
LeBron James?
"If he's really an Eastern LeBron James, why didn't he skip college?" Coach K wondered. "Why haven't I heard his name in high school? And why's his freshman year a complete blank?"
Truth is, if you're talking pure dynamic talent, Zack still has a ways to go to match the true freaks.
But like how Kevin Durant didn't need Andre Iguodala's hops to carve up LeBron in the Finals, when Zack's already ridiculous static talent fused with his awakening dynamic skills, a jaw-dropping beast was born.
On the court, during a Demon Deacons possession, Zack set a high pick for Paul. After the screen, he popped out, faked a shot to get Sheldon airborne, then exploded toward the rim, finishing with a one-handed slam that silenced the entire arena.
"What kind of playstyle is this?" Coach K muttered, scratching his scalp in frustration as Sheldon looked like he was guarding a guard.
Under Prose's bold strategy, Zack's dribbling was far from flashy, but with his speed and strength advantage, Sheldon—lured out of the paint—had zero answers for him.
"In the paint, Sheldon can use his defensive IQ to slow Zack down," Prose told Viktor on the Demon Deacons' bench. "But on the perimeter? Sheldon doesn't have the speed or agility to keep up."
Viktor thought for a moment. "So, Skip, that's why you were so sure Sheldon wouldn't be a problem for Zack?"
Prose shook his head. "That's just the start."
Back on the court, another Demon Deacons possession.
This time, after a hand-off with Paul, Zack set a bone-crushing screen that completely walled off Duke's Duhon, known in college ball for his tenacious on-ball defense.
Paul, wide open, drained a three.
"Skip, I remember two months ago you said Zack's game IQ would make him a reliable ball-handler someday," Viktor said after Paul's shot. "That's gotta be why you think he's got more potential than Sheldon, right?"
Prose shook his head again. "We're not even close."
Duke's ball now.
On the wing, JJ Redick used a Sheldon screen and flashed a sly grin as Zack lunged toward him, thinking he'd faked Zack out.
But just as Redick thought he'd blown by with a hesitation move, driving into the Demon Deacons' paint, he got smacked—a monster block from Zack, who'd recovered in a flash.
Redick overestimated his own speed.
And underestimated Zack's ability to chase down plays after getting faked out.
"With that defensive mentality and his length, give him time, and he'll be an elite defender," Viktor said, feeling like a student guessing answers before the teacher reveals the truth.
No matter how many strengths Viktor listed, Prose would counter:
Zack's way better than that.
In the first half, Zack played 14 minutes, racking up 13 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 blocks.
His dominance on both ends helped the Demon Deacons lead 45–30 at halftime.
During the break, TV commentator George Wilson said, "We've gotta tip our hats to the Demon Deacons for that first half. Especially Zack—he's owning Sheldon Williams on both ends."
His co-commentator, Henry James, chimed in, "Zack's been impressive. He can handle the ball on the perimeter, make plays from the high post, and he even hit a clean three and a few mid-range shots. Tonight, he's giving me vibes like…"
"Come on, man, spit it out!" Wilson pressed.
"Uh… like an athletic Larry Bird?"
Yikes. No wonder you were hesitating.
An athletic Larry Bird?
Bold claim, buddy!
Wonder what Bird himself would think hearing that?
Sensing Wilson's side-eye, James quickly backtracked, "I'm just saying that's the vibe Zack's giving tonight—he's so versatile."
Wilson bailed him out. "Everyone's got their take. Facing the No. 2 big man in the country, Zack's proving himself with a stellar performance. After this game, people are gonna be buzzing about his NBA draft template."
Halftime over, game on.
In the second half, Prose split Zack's minutes into two stints.
With a massive lead, he played Zack for the first five minutes of the half, then subbed him out until 8:45 remained.
To Prose, Zack's biggest flaw right now was stamina.
No way around it.
Even for Zack, basketball's physical laws apply. The weight he's still carrying and his high-energy style take a toll.
And all that "debt" from his past self? No way he could pay it off this fast.
Worth noting: while Zack rested, Sheldon Williams, finally catching a break, briefly rediscovered his old swagger.
Evans wasn't lying to Zack before the game.
Without Zack on the floor, "Beast" Ellis was like an ATM against Sheldon, getting carved up left and right.
Facing Ellis, who looked like he could double as Godzilla, Sheldon was having the time of his life.
It was clear: Sheldon knew Zack was a puzzle he couldn't solve.
But his moment in the sun didn't last.
Because the guy who'd silenced Cameron Indoor multiple times that night came charging back onto the court, re-energized, with his signature giant strides.
Right out of the gate, Zack chased down a Demon Deacons' turnover and delivered a LeBron-esque chasedown block, shattering the confidence Sheldon had just started to rebuild.
Yo, can we talk this out like civilized people?
Can you stop bullying me with your talent?
In the final moments at Cameron Indoor, as Zack and Paul took turns seizing control, the nation's most infamous home court fell deathly silent.
Commentator Wilson put it best: "I've never seen Duke fans this deflated. Looks like the Demon Deacons are living up to their name—judging the Blue Devils tonight."
College hoops is a rollercoaster of young players' emotions, so besides epic comebacks, blowouts are common.
When two evenly matched teams clash, if one side catches fire, the other can collapse like a house of cards.
That night, Coach K and his squad weren't smiling.
Because until the final minute, the guy who'd been pissing off the entire arena from tip-off gave the Blue Devils zero chance to save face.
…