(June 1st, 2009. Staples Center... Days before Game 1 of the Finals.)

Silence... Nothing static. This is what Prince Travis wanted for now. Don't get him wrong, the former Mississippi State Bulldogs star point guard loved nothing more than to hear the screaming, adoration and adulation of nearly twenty thousand fans packed into the house that Shaq, Kobe and Buss built and with the clock quickly approaching to Game One of this veteran's first NBA Finals in his rather decorated career. We can understand where he is coming from, it's rare to basketball's biggest stage and unless you're truly great, most happen upon the Finals by pure luck. That wasn't the case with Prince. He was blessed with natural talent and a drive to be truly great. Of course, he was the son of a former 3 -time NBA Champion himself in Reginald "Big Truck" Travis, who had won with Celtics of the mid 80's and two more with the iconic Bad Boy Pistons to end his career. Prince was working on the art of the mid range and had just nailed a- let's call it even 16 footer from the left key as he then heard clapping from the Lakers tunnel.

Sabrina: I figured you'd be here.

Prince: Hey.

It's his loving wife and high school sweetheart, Sabrina Travis, renowned actress who had met and reconnected Prince at a mutual friend's birthday just as the latter had entered the prime of his career. Things between the two quickly intensified and soon they got married in a lavish ceremony and have since only gotten stronger as a couple. She shares a sweet kiss with her sweaty husband as they sit on the home team bench as they look up at the now glowing NBA Finals flag.

Prince: How are the kids, better question is where are they? Surely if you're not watching them-

Sabrina: They're alright, I promised the two In n Out or whatever food they were feeling if they were good for Pop Pop. I just wanted to see how you were doing.

Prince: I've been better.... Scale of 1-10 on the nervousness scale? I'm at an eleven, Bri. It's my first Finals. I've dreamed of this moment since I saw those Larry's in my dad's study when I was a boy. But when I see that center court sticker, those all too famous Finals font and those patches on my jersey? It's not a dream, this is real life. I just pray uprooting you guys from Portland was well worth it.

Sabrina: Oh don't get all sour on me... this is a lifetime opportunity for you. How many people can honestly that they get to play for THE Los Angeles Lakers? Alongside Kobe Bryant of all people? Learn from one of the greatest coaches of all time? Plus, I think Christian and Zendaya appreciate the glitz and glamour of every red carpet they get to walk on now.

Prince: SURRRRE they do... What we wouldn't do without those little hellions.

Sabrina: Yet you're the dad of said hellions.

Prince: PFT, whatever Sabrina. We're truly blessed aren't we, prime of our respective careers, two adorable-

Christian: MOM! DAD!

We get our first at an 11-year old Christian Travis as he races onto the court and jumps onto both parents laps causing them to breath heavy while laughing.

Sabrina: Hi, Cubby! How are you enjoying the arena tour?

Christian: It's so awesome! Pop Pop let me see all the championships the Lakers won, are you gonna be next up dad?

Prince laughs as he ruffles his son's hair as he gives him the Spalding basketball.

Prince: You really think I'm gonna let you or your sister down? Of course I'm up next, I've spent twelve years working for this, it'd be a shame if I simply gave up. But one day, this is going to be all yours one day. I just hope when I'm done and you're up next? You surpass anything your Pop Pop and I could have.

Christian: You really think so?

Sabrina: We know so. You and your sister are destined for greatness in whatever path you two choose, Cubby. Just remember, everything has its own choices and consequences, so be prepared at all costs. Well look who's here!

Just then, an 15-year old Zendaya along with her grandfather step onto the court as they finally locate her younger, rambunctious brother and along with their mother finally let Prince back get back to his Finals training as he thought to himself as he watched his male progeny leave with his Lakers jersey.

Prince: The world is yours, young King. Indeed it is. You'll be even better than your Pop Pop or your old man, that's not a prediction, that's a spoiler.

(5 years later.... Los Angeles, California.)

Announcer: And here comes Mater Dei's Supernova Christian Travis as the 6'9 South Carolina native brings up the court and he has been torching Orange Lutheran in the second meeting this season as he's got 17 points, 12 rebounds, 3 steals and 7 assists in addition to a block.

A sixteen... soon to be 17 year old senior Christian brings the basketball up the court as he witnesses the student section go absolutely bonkers as he came up with a hellacious chasedown block his sister with their parents as she holds up a fathead cutout of his face. The now teenaged boy had all the world's eyes on him as a combo forward. Scouts from all over the most prestigious universities had come to see him and fellow star Stanley Johnson in action as the likes of Duke University, UCLA, Arizona, USC, Washington, Florida State, Florida and North Carolina and his home state South Carolina Gamecocks had been ready to pitch to the school wide nicknamed Supernova on why he should attend not only their college but possibly join the ranks of legends of their respective basketball lineage. But right now the kid was focused on the here and now. He toys with his defender as the poor bastard decided to press up on Christian full court which was a bad idea.

Christian: Hate to do this to you.... but here's what gonna happen to you.

The defender looks confused, unaware that a screen was about to rock his world.

Christian: You're gonna eat a screen, I'm going to get loose, I'm then gonna snatch the ankles of your teammate 19, then end it with some stepback cheese from the arc. Your coach calls timeout.

Then like clockwork, everything Travis states happens as he caps off with a space creating stepback three point shot sending the Mater Dei student section into a frenzy as the PA announcer said his name, causing the visiting team's coach to call a timeout. The game would soon be won 65-48, a nasty bogged-down defensive as the opponents would never truly go away. The school's fight song would be sung as another notch in the undefeated season. Sabrina, Prince and Zendaya spare no expense making their way over

Prince: Good game, son.

They do their signature handshake as they hug each other.

Christian: Thanks dad.

Sabrina: Oooooh, look at my Cubby!

Christian: MOM! So embarassing.

Sabrina: Oh stop it, you know you like that nickname. Good game sweetie, but you need curtail that sweat. It's like you went into a sauna for forty minutes straight.

Christian: Yare Yare.

Zendaya: Awww, is wittle Cubby blushing?

Christian: Oh shut up.

Duke Scout: Excuse me, Christian?

Christian: Yes?

Duke Scout: Alyssa Switzer, Duke University.

She offers a hand as he returns it quickly.

Christian: Oh yeah, I remember you. My dad and I sat down with you over a Zoom call. Glad you could make it out to see Stanley and I.

Alyssa: Thank you, you guys truly are the heartbeat of this school. But with our program already missing out on him, our focus is all in on you. I'm sure you remember your trip to Durham last spring?

Christian: How can I forget? The campus was so beautiful, Durham has that small town charm I was born around. The basketball and the alums doesn't even need to be spoke on, it'd just feel we're beating on a dead horse at this point.

They all share a laugh as he continues.

Christian: Trust and believe me Alyssa, you guys are at the top of my list. It's just that I want to finish my senior off with a bang. So right now, my commitment is still as of this moment.

Alyssa: Completely understandable. Just don't make us wait too long, we've got royal blue waiting for you.

She leaves as he wipes more residual sweat from his chest.

Christian: Alright, as grateful as am I for family time, I REALLY need to shower. I'll see you guys in about... twenty minutes? Yeah that should be good enough.

Prince: Did you at least decide on a birthday dinner, kid?

Christian: Crap, I almost forgot my birthday was tomorrow! Last thing I want to do is burden you guys last minute, so why don't we just go for pizza or burgers honestly? I know dad's gotta get back to the team soon with his injury healed now.

Sabrina: Absolutely. Now go!

(National Signing Day 2014... February 5th, 2014.)

Christian was nervous to say the least but he was used to being in the spotlight. Credit that to his three-time NBA Champion father and grandfather as well as his wildly successful actress of a mother and even his rising star actress of an older sister. But nothing had made the now 17 year old and consensus All-American at the prep level shit the proverbial bricks more than making a commitment live on television. He was dressed in a business casual outfit complete with a tie and dress shoes. He had been biting his nails, running his hands through his hair as he feels a finger tap on him.

Stanley Johnson: WHOA, WHOA! Easy Chris, I come in peace!

Christian: Jesus, you scared me! I thought you were the boogeyman coming for my soul.

Stanley: Nope, just regular schmegular old me. I wanted to see how you were doing. Considering you're about to shake up the college basketball landscape.

Christian deadpans as he looks at his close friend and future Arizona Wildcat.

Christian: Wow... way to assuage my nerves there, buddy. REAL big help. I'm nervous, honestly. I'm just one person dude and I'm about to make one college fanbase happy and about another what like- six very fanbases unhappy.

Stanley: Seven? Damn, I do not envy you dude.

Christian: This coming from the guy that had no problem with his commitment.

Stanley: Oh you'll do fine. You're the main reason we went undefeated this season, it was bound to happen seeing all these scholarships roll in.

Sabrina: CUBBY!

Stanley: That's my cue, catch you in class.

Christian: Right man.

Prince: There's our number one guy! You feeling nervous?

Christian: Scale of 1-10? I'm at a thirty. Like, finals have never been this difficult or nerve wracking, yet this commitment I'm about to make is absolute.

Sabrina: Hey hey, remember what I told all the way before your father played in the 2009 Finals?

Christian: Of course. You said every path has its own choices and consequences. But I want to know to I'm making the right decision about this. It's not about just National Championships or the fastest path to the league. I want to also get a top tier education while I'm there.

Prince: Hey, it's okay to be nervous. I was a wreck before I committed to be a Bulldog, it's only natural. You're going to be fine and we're proud of you no matter what.

Christian: Thanks... it's just that I wish Zendaya and Pop Pop were here. But I can't blame her since she's got that massive role of hers lined up.

Principal: Please welcome our Supernova! Co-Captain of your Mater Dei Varsity Boys Basketball team.... Christian Travis and family!

Sabrina: Showtime, baby boy. Go rock them!

He breathes in and out before steeling himself as he linked arm in arm with both parents.

Christian: No pressure.

He steps onto the basketball court where it was considered his second home, now transformed into a proper assembly hall complete with cameras, media outlets from all sports and news channels and a good portion of students waiting on pins and needles to see where Christian would more than likely be a one and done prospect in time for the 2015 NBA Draft. There were seven collegiate snapbacks all fitted for him. There was his home state University of South Carolina, Baylor University, a possible teamup with Stanley and going to Arizona, UCLA, Duke University, The Ohio State University and Kentucky. Each university had their perks and advantages.
But only one could have this third generation talent.

Christian: Lively bunch we got here, huh?

There are a few a chuckles as he goes forth.

Christian: Alright first off. I want to thank you all who attended National Signing Day as you witness not just myself but my fellow athletes take that next step in maturing ourselves as men and women. Proud to call these individuals my classmates and friends. Secondly, though she couldn't be here, special shout out to my sister Zendaya, who no doubt is watching from wherever boring set up she's settled in at. Third I'd like to thank my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ who without I wouldn't be here with all these blessings. And lastly but certainly not least. My parents, Prince and Sabrina.... you guys motivate my sister and I to be the best version of ourselves with each passing day and I couldn't be more grateful to call you two my parents. I love you two.

Sabrina: We love you too, Cubby.

Prince: Forever, son.

Christian: Alright.... I've kept you all waiting long enough. And certainly all those coaches and scouts who even took the time to evaluate my God blessed talents. So without any further delay, I, Christian King Travis, hereby sign my letter of intent and commit to play for-

AND SCENE!

That's the end of the prologue. What do you think? Surprised by the high school choice, and comment where you think Christian has committed to further his athletic and academic career! See you guys down the road.