NBA: Northeast China's spectacular dunks sweep the entire league.

Chapter 37 Spark Youth Training Camp Opens! Lin Hao Provides Remote Instruction

In March, Fengtian had just thawed its winter snow, and the wind still carried the unique chill of Northeast China. However, inside the basketball court of the Olympic Sports Center, it was as hot as midday in the dog days of summer, and even the door frame trembled slightly with the sound of people talking.

Today marks the official opening of the first session of the Spark Youth Basketball Training Camp.

At the entrance of the arena, a red banner with gold lettering hung from the rooftop to the ground. The left side read, "Northeast Big Splash, Dunking Across the Entire League," and the right side read, "Sparkling Youngsters, Basketball Builds Dreams." The open space was surrounded by layers of people, including teenagers holding basketballs, fans holding posters of Lin Hao, and media reporters carrying cameras and microphones. Even leaders from the General Administration of Sport, the National Basketball Association, and the Provincial Sports Bureau had come to the scene.

The arena was buzzing with excitement. A giant screen in the center of the court was projecting highlights of Lin Hao's season – his game-tying game against Jordan at the All-Star Game, his game-winning three-pointer against the Lakers from beyond the arc, his windmill dunk in the Rising Stars Challenge – each flash of the image was met with deafening cheers. On a long table beside the court, hundreds of cans of yellow peaches were neatly stacked, the red cans adorned with special "Spark Youth Training Winning Buff" stickers, becoming the most eye-catching feature of the entire arena.

In a corner, several elderly men were tuning their suonas, occasionally playing a few lines of "People in Our Village," which prompted the surrounding fans to clap along. The cheers, delivered in the distinctive Northeastern accent, rose and fell, bringing the atmosphere of the opening ceremony to its peak.

In the backstage dressing room, Zhao Dabao, who had flown back to China ahead of time, was loosening his tie and practicing his speech repeatedly in front of the mirror. He spoke in fluent Mandarin with a Northeastern accent, and sweat was dripping down his forehead.

"Brother Bao, you've practiced this eight times already. You're more nervous than when you're going on a blind date," the assistant next to him teased with a smile.

Zhao Dabao slapped him on the back of the head, his eyes wide: "Nonsense! This is the youth training camp that Haozi has been longing for. He can't come back because he's playing in the US. As his childhood friend, I have to make sure this is done perfectly and not let Fengtian down!"

This is absolutely true. From the moment the All-Star Game concluded and the youth training camp was finalized, Zhao Dabao was practically on his feet for the entire month. From signing the venue and assembling the coaching team to designing the curriculum and recruiting students, he handled everything single-handedly. The first training camp only recruited 100 students, and as soon as the application channel opened, thousands of applications flooded in within three days. Among the children who were finally selected after careful screening, more than half were from remote areas and impoverished families. Tuition was waived, room and board were provided, and even the training equipment was provided by Lin Hao out of his own pocket.

The opening ceremony officially began at 9:00 a.m.

Zhao Dabao, dressed in a sharp suit, walked onto the stage with a microphone in hand. As soon as he appeared, thunderous applause erupted. He cleared his throat, his usual playful demeanor vanishing, and his tone became serious:

"Distinguished leaders, honored guests, and fellow citizens of Fengtian, young and old! Today, the Xinghuo Youth Basketball Training Camp officially opens!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the sound of suona horns erupted in the stadium, and the applause and cheers almost lifted the roof off the arena.

The room quieted down, and Zhao Dabao continued, "The person who founded this training camp is Lin Hao, a kid from Fengtian. Many people ask him, 'You're doing so well in the NBA now, with endorsement contracts galore, why bother running a youth training camp that doesn't make money?'"

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the expectant children below the stage, his voice suddenly rising: "Because Haozi said that he went from playing on a local basketball court in Northeast China to playing on an NBA court, and he knows how much a child who loves basketball needs an opportunity. He started this training camp not for fame or fortune, but simply to build a platform and pave a path for China's basketball talents!"

"Here, I officially announce: The Spark Youth Training Camp is permanently open to basketball-loving teenagers from impoverished families free of charge! As long as you love basketball and are willing to work hard, there will always be a court for you here!"

The moment those words were spoken, the entire arena erupted in cheers. Parents in the audience teared up and applauded enthusiastically, while the sound of camera shutters clicking incessantly filled the air. No one had expected that this rookie, who had just made a name for himself in the NBA, would turn around and do something so extraordinary.

Just as the atmosphere reached its peak, the host smiled and said, "Next, let's give a warm round of applause to our Spark Youth Training Camp's lifelong head coach—Lin Hao!"

The giant projection screen in the center of the venue lit up instantly.

The scene shows the Oakland Warriors' training facility, with the Warriors logo and scattered basketballs visible in the background. Lin Hao, wearing a Warriors training uniform, his forehead still damp with sweat from training, clutches the suona that accompanied him to the All-Star Game, and waves to the camera with a smile: "Hello, fellow citizens of Fengtian, leaders, and the little guys at the training camp!"

"Lin Hao!!"

"Brother Lin Hao!!"

The scene erupted instantly. Hundreds of children raised their little hands and shouted excitedly at the projected screen, their clear voices unable to hide their excitement. Even the leaders in the front row smiled and applauded along.

Looking at the sea of ​​people in the video, Lin Hao's eyes welled up with tears. He was born and raised in Northeast China, on the basketball courts there. If he hadn't met a coach who was willing to teach him back then, he wouldn't be where he is today. Now that he has the ability, what he wants to do most is to pass on this torch.

"I originally wanted to go back in person and attend the opening ceremony with everyone, but the season is coming to an end, and the team can't leave without games, so I can only meet you all via screen." Lin Hao smiled, his accent still carrying that familiar sincerity. "I won't say any more pleasantries; I just want to tell the kids: passion can overcome all difficulties. As long as you dare to dream and fight, the NBA court and the future of Chinese basketball are at your feet!"

As soon as he finished speaking, he raised the suona to his lips and said with a smile, "I didn't bring back any other gifts, so I'll play a tune for everyone as an opening gift for our Spark Youth Training Camp."

The next second, a loud and heartfelt suona horn sound came from the projection screen; it was an adapted version of "Singing for the Motherland".

There were no fancy techniques, only heartfelt sincerity. The melody, from gentle and melodious to stirring and passionate, filled the entire basketball arena through the speakers. The audience unconsciously stood up and sang along softly. As the chorus approached, the chorus grew louder and louder, the voices of thousands of people merging into a torrent that resonated throughout the entire arena.

The children raised their little hands, their eyes shining, swaying their bodies to the rhythm; the parents, their eyes red, clapped along; Zhao Dabao stood by the stage, forcefully wiping his face, holding back the tears that welled up.

When the music ended and the suona fell silent, the applause and cheers from the audience lasted for a full five minutes.

Lin Hao put down his suona and bowed to the camera with a smile. Just then, a figure suddenly walked into the frame. Zhang Qingying, wearing a white dress, walked to the projection screen with a smile, waved to Lin Hao in the camera, and then turned to the audience with a gentle smile: "Hello everyone, I am Zhang Qingying."

The scene instantly erupted in another commotion!

No one expected that this popular national goddess would appear at the opening ceremony! Even less expected that she would stand generously in front of the camera and be in the same frame as Lin Hao.

Zhang Qingying picked up the microphone, looked tenderly at Lin Hao on the projected screen, and said with pride, "I am especially honored to be here today to attend the opening ceremony of the Spark Youth Training Camp. When Lin Hao told me that he wanted to start this training camp, I told him that no matter what you do, I will support you."

She paused for a moment, then smiled generously at the audience and said, "That's right, Lin Hao and I are together. In the future, I will continue to walk alongside him, supporting the Xinghuo Youth Training Camp and these children who love basketball."

That one sentence brought the atmosphere to its peak!

Media reporters went crazy snapping photos – this was the first official announcement of their relationship! The solid evidence that the entire internet had been searching for was revealed by the couple themselves at the opening ceremony of the youth training camp!

On the projected screen, Lin Hao watched Zhang Qingying's smiling eyes on the camera, his smile never fading, his eyes overflowing with tenderness. The children in the audience didn't understand any gossip or scandals; they just cheered along with the adults, clapping their little hands and shouting "Hello, sister-in-law!" which made the whole audience burst into laughter.

After the excitement, it was time for the part the children had been most looking forward to – Lin Hao's first remote lesson.

The coaches at the youth training camp had already lined up the children on the field. The youngest child was only six years old, holding a basketball bigger than his head, looking up at the screen with his little face, his eyes fixed on it.

Lin Hao also dropped his joking expression and became serious. He didn't talk about any profound tactics or vague principles; he started by teaching the most basic dribbling and shooting form.

"Kids, watch carefully. When dribbling, you need to shift your weight downwards, not use your arms. You need to control the ball with your wrists and fingers, just like you're holding a can of peaches. You can't squeeze it too hard and crush it, nor can you let it fall to the ground too loosely."

He held up a basketball and performed a standard crossover in front of the camera, breaking down each movement in slow motion in a simple and easy-to-understand way. The children immediately understood and started practicing along with his movements on the court.

He watched each child's movements closely, occasionally stopping them to correct details: "That little guy in the red shirt, when you shoot, don't let your elbow flare outwards, aim at the basket, yes, that's the perfect form!"

"Hey, you tall guy on the left, when you're dribbling, don't look down at the ball. Keep your eyes forward. The situation on the court is much more important than the ball at your feet."

A child raised his hand and asked him, "Brother Lin Hao, I want to jump really high like you and dunk. How do I train?"

Lin Hao smiled upon hearing this and said earnestly to the camera, "Little guy, you have to remember, basketball isn't just about jumping high and running fast. I injured my ankle before and almost couldn't play anymore. That's when I realized that playing with your brain is much more important than playing with your body. Rhythm, anticipation, teamwork—these are the skills that will accompany you in playing basketball for a lifetime."

He wasn't just saying this to the children, but also to himself. From being limited by injuries to refining his skills and transforming into a rhythm master who plays with his brain, he has walked this path step by step and knows best the weight of it.

The lesson lasted sixty minutes. Lin Hao explained things in detail, and the children listened attentively. Even the professional coaches present couldn't help but nod and take notes. No one expected that this rising star who dominated the NBA court would be so patient and down-to-earth when teaching children.

At the end of the course, Lin Hao looked at the children on the field, who were covered in sweat but still smiling happily, and said, word by word, "I'm setting a goal for our Spark Youth Training Camp: In the future, I want to send ten, a hundred Chinese players from here who can make it into the CBA, the national team, and even the NBA!"

"Chinese basketball will one day stand at the top of the world. And this miracle will be created by you."

The instant those words fell, a cold yet pleasant system notification suddenly rang in Lin Hao's mind:

[Ding! Host has completed the core sentiment event, triggering the hidden achievement [Passing on the Torch], 100% completion!]

[Achievement Rewards: Significantly increased global reputation, unlocked exclusive side story for the Youth Training Camp, permanent 5% increase to all attributes, [Tactical Master] skill advancement, and increased teammate tactical execution efficiency to 15%!]

Lin Hao's smile deepened. He knew this was just the beginning.

The opening ceremony concluded successfully, and the hashtags #LinHaoAnnouncesRelationship#, #SparkYouthTrainingCampOpening#, and #LinHaoSingingForTheMotherlandInSuonaVersion# instantly topped the Weibo trending list, with the entire internet praising this young man from Northeast China for his vision and original aspirations. That evening, landmark buildings in Fengtian were illuminated for the Spark Youth Training Camp, and the entire city was immersed in pride and joy.

Meanwhile, back in the Warriors' training facility in Oakland, Lin Hao had just ended a video call when he was surrounded by a group of teammates.

Arenas hooked his arm around his neck, pointed to the canned peaches on the table, and teased with a laugh, "Lin, you're not just a player now, you're the principal too! When are you going to teach us your secret to winning with canned peaches?"

His teammates burst into laughter and joined in the commotion. Some even picked up his suona and tried to imitate him, causing another round of laughter from the audience.

Lin Hao smiled and pushed him away. He had just unscrewed a can of yellow peaches, preparing to take a sip of sweet water to calm his nerves, when the team doctor rushed in, his face ashen, clutching an MRI report. Before he even reached him, his voice boomed, "Lin! It's bad! Richardson twisted his ankle landing during training, and the MRI results are in—he's out for the season!"

The can lid in Lin Hao's hand fell to the ground with a "clatter," spilling sugar water all over half of his trouser leg, and the smile on his face instantly froze.

He looked up sharply at the team doctor, his heart sinking – at the most critical juncture of the regular season's finale, the Warriors' injury crisis had arrived.