says you're good as new. Let's rol

broke G Leaguer – a tall, powerfully built Black man strode into Link's hospital ro

three years in the minors, still waiting for that elusive NBA call-up. Like most down here, Zeke

d some subtle exclusion early on. But Zeke? Pure warmth. When Link first arrived in OKC, homeless,

om years scrapping at the bottom. As a hoops food-chain bottom

ain't always smart. Relax, team covered the bill. Ambulance r

tself charged triple the regular rate. A simple visit could bankrupt you. Link remembered an ol

ill. He was trying to process

k managed, unsure what else to say to

din' to my place for dinner. Ma scored some

ing him out. The physical affection felt foreign

n't exactly a metropolis; fans jokingly called it "The Village." But for

g Link. "You straight-up knocked out yesterday. Docs say

prodding the ba

Zeke's hand away gently. Staying silent was ris

d that looked like it had seen better days. Way better. This was Zeke's

ed with hollow-eyed homeless. Suspicious figures in baggy clothes exchanging things in shadows. Walls plastered with graffiti. Even as a first-timer,

me. Beside it, enclosed by chain-link fence, was a cracked concrete half-court. "T

the Lord, his dome's intact!" Zeke

, wiping her hands on an apron, a k

" She pulled Link into a hug, checking the back of his head. "Lord have

this strange land, the warmth seeped in. It had been a

large. Zeke's dad had done time... for drugs. His mom, the kind woman in the apron, raised

p was a measly $200,000. Pocket change by comparison. Zeke, a three-year G League vet, pulled down $19

ofessional athlete" sounded fancy. Reality? Zeke an

ed as they settled on the worn sofa, the sounds

us. He loved basketball in his past life, sure. But his skills? Train wreck level. Couldn't even make his college intramural team. S

t's

ready. Maybe after dinner? You could run some drills w

pair of work gloves, and learn landscaping from this world's dad. At 22, a college senior by G League standards, he couldn't afford to waste prime years chasin

after we eat," Zeke agreed easily. "But re

nd hollow. Playing one-on-one with a real pro baller? This w