Y/N L/N WAS NAMED Naismith Boy's High School Player of the Year for his achievements his senior year, beating out Cliff Alexander, Jahlil Okafor, and Myles Turner.

He also participated in the McDonald's All-American Game, playing for the West team and joining other well-known prospects such as Kelly Oubre Jr, Stanley Johnson, and Devin Booker. The East team also had top players Karl-Anthony Towns, D'Angelo Russell, and Justise Winslow.

The West defeated the East with a score of 105-102. Y/N showcased his talent by leading his team in scoring with 24 points. He was honored as co-MVP with Justin Jackson, who scored 23 for his team.

Later that year in June, Y/N graduated from Campbell Hall High School. His friends Donovan and Zendaya were among his class and they looked forward to what their future held.

•• SOCIAL MEDIA ••

❤️ liked by @/HaileeSteinfeld and 965 others

@/spidadmitchell the end of one era, the start of another!!

Comments 💬

@/dougtate35 right on bro!
^@/spidadmitchell ✊

@/Original_L/N when all hope seemed lost...you did it!
^@/spidadmitchell blocked

@/kobebryant work hard in louisville, Don! 💪🏾
^@/spidadmitchell yessir 🔥

• •

❤️ liked by spidadmitchell and 70 others

@/jay_garcia_one Best of luck to my homie @/Original_L/N at UCLA!!

Comments 💬

@/Original_L/N keep in touch brother 👌

@/mandapanda4 that boy is cute omg
^@/jay_garcia_one log off amanda dad said you were grounded

• •

@/taylorswift13
I'M NOT CRYING. YOU ARE.

#ProudOfYou @/Zendaya

17.8k Retweets 🔁 | 50.7k Likes ❤️

Replies 💬

@/dayaismydrug SO PROUD OF HER

@/swiftyswoofer_ bestie supporting bestie 🥲

@/Zendaya love you tay! 💛💛💛

@/askingdarealquestions was she the only one that wore yellow? lol

• • •

TIME WENT BY and Y/N was now a couple of months into his freshman year of college. He was a starting guard for the UCLA Bruins and their record so far was 4-0.

It was a sort of off day for Y/N on Thursday and he mostly lounged around in his dorm. His roommate, a guy named DeSean, was there with him. He wasn't an athlete but majored in music production. Coincidentally, that was also Y/N's major during his time there.

Y/N laid on his bed while DeSean was toying around with the music program on his laptop.

"Hey, bro." He called out to Y/N. "Check this out real quick."

He walked over to DeSean and sat on the other seat by the desk. The man played a snippet of a beat he was making. Y/N was impressed and bobbed his head to the music.

"That's fire, man." Y/N complimented.

"Drop something." He abruptly said.

"What?"

"Freestyle. C'mon, dawg. I've heard you before. Even singing Drake in the shower. And I'm talking Thank Me Later Drake. That singing Drake."

Y/N chuckled and crossed his arms. "Didn't think you heard with your headsets on."

"Well, I could." He replied. "I don't want singing though. Drop a couple bars. I dare you."

DeSean played his beat again and let it go on loop. Y/N looked at him for a moment before letting out a laugh. He knew his friend was going to let it play out until he gave him something. They were just bored like that.

"All right." Y/N said with a sigh.

The beat continued to play. Y/N thought for a moment as he tried to come up with a style and initial words on the fly. Then, he began.

[There should be a GIF or video here. Update the app now to see it.]

(A/N: I used Logic's XXL cypher from 2013. Specifically from 0:20 to 0:40. Gonna be using him a few more times down the line btw.)

I play my role like Shakespeare, nu-uh, ain't no fakes here
I conceal my talent like a 357
Ever since I was eleven I been a G, chillin' on the low-key
Incognito, manipulate the steel like Magneto
Smackin' suckers like mosquitoes, dispersin' verses like free throw
I'm Michael, the king, you fuckers is Tito
Versace frames with the green shades, I only see dough
Ballin' like a free throw, you know my steelo

Y/N stopped and DeSean turned off the beat. His friend looked back and nodded as he let out a laugh.

"Damn! That shit was crazy." He complimented. "Do all hoopers rap?

"I don't think so." Y/N replied.

"Cuz Tony Parker dropped an album those years ago. Then there was Shaq. Kobe dropped a song."

"Growing up I wanted to make music. Sing, rap, produce, all that stuff."

"When you decide to pursue ball instead?"

Y/N paused for a moment. "Hit a growth spurt in eighth grade. Started playing it, loved it, and thought of the places it could lead me...and my mom."

DeSean nodded, understanding his decision. Y/N was talented in both the sport and seemingly vocally, so he would've been fine with either.

"Well, I think if you were to decide to somewhat pair a music career with your upcoming one in the league...it'd be cool." He said. "And if worst comes to worst and you don't make the league, music is always there."

"Right." He said with a chuckle. "But relax, though. I'm getting drafted."

"I said if worst comes to worst." He put his hands up and looked back at his computer.

Y/N thought back a few minutes ago at his freestyle and how great he felt doing so. With the whole day to themselves and an eager DeSean present, the eighteen-year-old thought of an idea.

"How about you help me make a track?" He asked.

DeSean looked back. "For real?"

"Just for fun. Maybe use a sample or something. Upload it on SoundCloud and have it out there."

He was intrigued by the idea. "All right. Sounds cool, actually."

DeSean looked through his computer at songs and samples he had already saved. Y/N and he heard a few before stumbling upon one the hooper recognized. One that he's heard growing up.

"This one."

It was D.A.N.C.E by Justice. DeSean paused the track and looked at Y/N.

"Really? You sure?"

The beat brought him back to his middle school days. Being with his friends...being with Hailee. It was one of their favorite songs.

"Yeah." Y/N replied, a smile growing on his face. "I think I can work with that."

•• SOCIAL MEDIA ••

@/Original_L/N
Introducing, THE SPOTLIGHT.

Thank you to @/DS_Prod and everybody else involved in the making of this video!

[There should be a GIF or video here. Update the app now to see it.]

3,927 Retweets 🔁 | 7, 588 likes ❤️

Replies 💬

@/JuanTanamoBay FIRE! had so much fun that day!

@/DS_Prod much love!

@/gman55 a hooper and a rapper? why am I not surprised.
^@/bruinsgogo ratio
^@/gman55 counter ratio
^@/francoskyle counter ratio denied

• •

❤️ liked by JuanTanamoBay and 25 others

@/VinnyBronson11 can you guess which one's me?

Comments 💬

@/trevo4thenite gray sweater obv
^@/VinnyBronson11 whatd make you think that
^@/trevo4thenite them dusty ass kicks dawg

@/dial2fortony I'm on the far right. shit was hot as hell in that box

• •

@/HaileeSteinfeld
This makes me want to go to the gym. Should I go to the gym? See what you're making me do @/Original_L/N ?

215 Retweets 🔁 | 634 Likes ❤️

Replies 💬

@/cassTroman I'll give it a listen

@/Original_L/N maybe that's a good idea, you twinkie addict!
^@/HaileeSteinfeld you're one to talk! you have stashes of haribo gummy bears under your bed!
^@/Original_L/N nah that's Donovan
^@/spidadmitchell keep my name out yo mouth this had nothing to do with me

@/purprain555 is that a faze shirt?

@/haizworlds so excited to see you in pitch perfect 2!!!

• • •

HAILEE FINISHED REPLYING to the thread on her recent post. Her phone was playing The Spotlight as she walked from her living room to the kitchen. The girl enjoyed the song, especially the instrumental sampled from one of her favorite songs, D.A.N.C.E. She danced as she walked.

"What's up?" Cameron walked in as well, having come from the bathroom. He was hanging out at the Steinfeld residence.

"Dancing. Vibing." She simply replied as she put her phone down on the counter and went to the fridge.

"What song is this?" He asked and went over to her phone. Cameron looked at the screen and saw the cover photo of the track.

"Oh...it's that guy. That friend of yours." He said.

"Yeah." Hailee replied after taking out some grapes.

"He...he makes music too?"

"Not until now. He loved music when we were growing up."

Cameron silently nodded. After hearing the track for a few more seconds, he tapped skip on the phone.

"Eh, not really liking it."

Hailee arched a brow. "Uh, but I was."

He started making his way to the living room. "Come on, let's start that movie we were talking about."

Her boyfriend left the kitchen and Hailee watched as he did. She chewed the grape in her mouth and was confused about Cameron's change of tone.

In reality, Cameron was starting not to like Y/N. He'd seen the photos from earlier in the year of the boy and Hailee after his championship game. He'd also seen the interactions they'd have on social media. It irked him...and was getting pretty jealous.

She popped one more grape in her mouth and picked her phone back up before leaving the kitchen as well.

•• 2015 ••

THE UCLA BRUINS seemed to dominate the NCAA Basketball Tournament, going through the first and second rounds, the sweet sixteen, then the elite eight.

They made the final four and beat Michigan State and were in the National Championship game against the Kentucky Wildcats led by Karl-Anthony Towns. Notable teammates included Devin Booker and Willie Cauley-Stein.

Y/N was the star of his team and lead the Bruins to where they were now. Norman Powell and Kevon Looney were two other notable players on the squad.

Fans around the world watched as the two teams faced off in Indianapolis. It was also a way for scouts to further their reconnaissance on the prospects...two big names being in the spotlight: L/N and Towns.

The game started and both teams went back and forth. UCLA would score but Kentucky would respond rather quickly. By the end of the first half, Y/N had 13 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists. Unfortunately, his team was down by 3.

The second half began and four minutes in his stat-line improved to 17 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists. But again, it wasn't enough to take the lead. Karl-Anthony Towns had 16 points and 8 rebounds and was a force by the rim. Kevon Looney couldn't seem to contain him.

To add to the woes, Kentucky knew Y/N was their main scorer, so they defended him as much as they could. This forced other teammates of his to take the offensive, which the losing team preferred.

Now with about four minutes left in the second half, the Bruins were down 10. They took a timeout and the squad huddled by the bench.

"Towns is kicking our ass down low." Powell told them.

"Force him out to the perimeter and free the lane to the basket!" Y/N told them. "Drive, get a shot. Damn, I'm doing everything out there."

"Why don't you do something, big dawg?" A guard named Nick shot back.

"I would if they weren't sending two guys at me."

He scoffed. "SoundCloud singer can't get out of a double team?"

"The fuck you say?" Y/N stepped forward.

"Enough!" Steve Alford, their head coach, scolded. He took out his clipboard and started drawing out their plan.

"L/N's right about one thing, we need to bring Town out of the paint, even Cauley-Stein. We hit them when their bigs are away. On the offensive, we have to keep the ball out of Towns's hands and force the others to score."

The buzzer sounded and signaled the end of the timeout. Despite the spat earlier, the team came together and put their hands in before breaking. They went back onto the court.

Bruins inbounded the ball and Norman Powell dribbled up the court. He passed the ball to Y/N and immediately, two defenders went to guard him.

"L/N is doubled-teamed. He passes it to Allen. Harrison runs over to Allen..."

The ball was passed to Y/N, who broke away from the double team and ran to the basketball. He caught the ball off the cut and scored the points.

"L/N floats it up after breaking free! Bruins only down eight now with 3:24 left."

On defense, Looney got in front of Towns and didn't allow the ball to get to him. Tyler Ulis shot a jumper instead that missed, where Y/N rebounded the ball and ran down the court with his teammates.

He passed the ball to an open Powell on the wing, where he scored the three-pointer.

"Powell for three! Off the fantastic assist by L/N."

Soon after, Towns ended up beating Looney and scoring a dunk. The five-point deficit turned into seven.

Y/N took the ball and dribbled by the three-point line. Ulis guarded him and they surprisingly didn't send another. He dribbled to the side and shot over the man, cashing in a three. The crowd erupted.

"L/N swishes in the three over Ulis! The Wildcat's lead is cut to just four with 1:20 left!"

Kentucky took a timeout. After the buzzer, the teams met back on the court and continued the game. Wildcats were on the offense, and after moving the ball around a bit, it reached Devin Booker.

His man was too far away and it allowed Booker to shoot a three. The crowd erupted once more as they ran back on defense.

"Booker scores a three! Both teams are on fire! Their lead is back to seven."

Y/N got the ball again and drove past the defender. He ended up making a layup on Karl-Anthony Towns and the fans cheered.

"L/N with the up and under! He's fighting to keep the Bruins in the game."

Kentucky was on offense again with fifty-three seconds left in the game. Y/N guarded his man and followed Ulis as he ran to different spots on the floor.

Ultimately, after twenty seconds passing by, the ball reached Devin Booker again. And despite Powell guarding him pretty well, the hooper shot another jumper over him and scored.

"Booker again! That young man is automatic!"

The deficit was now eight with 33 seconds left. With possessions and the shot clock being 30 seconds, it seemed impossible to come back. They had to play the foul game once they got it back.

Y/N ended up scoring again and immediately fouled Towns on the inbound. He made both free throws. Looney tried scoring on offense but missed. Booker got the rebound and was fouled, where he made his free throws too. The deficit was back to ten with about twelve seconds left.

The rest of the clock ran down and Bruins had the ball. The buzzer sounded and the Kentucky bench ran onto the court to celebrate with their teammates. Towns embraced Booker as a couple of other players fell to the floor and let themselves get piled on.

"The Kentucky Wildcats are NCAA champions in 2015!"

Y/N had his hands on his waist as he looked on. He walked back to his bench and dapped up Powell, who was in a dejected state. Coach Alford went to shake hands with Kentucky Head Coach John Calipari.

Despite the loss, Y/N made sure to show love to the rest of his teammates. He was about to follow them to the locker room but was stopped after hearing his name called.

He turned around and saw Karl-Anthony Towns, wearing the championship cap he had just been given. The 6-foot-11 big man dapped up Y/N and embraced him.

Despite being competitors they were also friends, having met at the McDonald's All-American game a year ago. He also made bonds with Devin Booker and D'Angelo Russell there.

"Great game, man." He pat his back.

Y/N appreciated the act. He parted and pat his arm. "You earned it, brother."

Karl smiled. "See you in Barclay's in a couple months."

Y/N smirked back, knowing he was referring to the draft in June. They both still have yet to declare for it.

They exchanged nods and split up, with Karl rejoining his celebrating teammates and Y/N going into the locker room.

•• SOCIAL MEDIA ••

@/ESPN
Kentucky could not be contained! It's championship No. 9 for the Wildcats, who toppled UCLA 68-58 in Indianapolis.

3,564 Retweets 🔁 | 3,680 Likes ❤️

Replies 💬

@/gogoblue56 I blame the refs

@/wildcatsbetter17 PLEASE stay Towns PLEASE
^@/CurryWrld I got news for you big bro

@/carloscortez_ I'm naming my daughter BOOKER

@/_RyanFrya Bruins had a good run but just like always Y/N had no help *sigh*
^@/parksnrecfan should've gone to louisville with spida lol

• •

@/KentuckyMBB
Aaron Harrison, Andrew Harrison, Willie Cauley-Stein, Karl-Anthony Towns, Trey Lyles, Dakari Johnson, and Devin Booker have declared for the NBA Draft.

1,457 Retweets 🔁 | 1,009 Likes ❤️

Replies 💬

@/raggaelilman congrats guys it was a great season. good luck!

@/wildcatsbetter17 NOOOOOOOOOOOO
^@/CurryWrld told ya

• •

@/UCLAMBB
UCLA freshman and senior guards Y/N L/N and Norman Powell have chosen to declare for the 2015 NBA Draft. READ MORE: *link*

1,536 Retweets 🔁 | 1,578 Likes ❤️

Replies 💬

@/BigChessy333 GOATS

@/thehighlife69 damn powell finally leaving lmao

@/baconatorluver_ best of luck to these guys!

• •

@/SportsCenter
Karl-Anthony Towns and Y/N L/N have declared for the 2015 NBA Draft.

Who goes #1?

4,274 Retweets 🔁 | 5,527 Likes ❤️

Replies 💬

@/_wallflower_ gotta be Towns
^@/mapleglazed_ please explain why he should be picked over L/N
^@/_wallflower_ Towns beat him? lol
^@/mapleglazed_ not his fault. give Y/N the team Towns had and he'd be a champion instead

@/LAagainstEverbody depends on who wins the draft lottery imo
^@/itzjulius right lol if lakers get the first pick they're choosing L/N

@/wolveslifer39 I'd go L/N if had a choice
^@/Bronfan23 wouldn't you rather have Towns since Kevin Love is gone?
^@/wolveslifer39 we need more scoring
^@/TheRussEra dawg you already have Wiggins and LaVine lmfao

@/trustdaprocess1999 where's Okafor? these guys are gonna be busts lol

• • •

A/N: I kinda sped through Y/N's college experience but that's all right, he was a one-and-done anyway. And I took the time to show his talent for music, which will play a part in the future.

By the way, if any of you are reading this story but don't understand some things I mention about basketball and such, feel free to ask me and I'll clarify anything you need me to. Basketball is on par with Marvel as one of my favorite things so I'd like to help you understand and make this as enjoyable as possible.

Another thing, I've been just making random usernames for the social media sections but I'm thinking of maybe using your names from time to time. Just for the lolz. I'll think about it.

Anyways, until the next part!