NBA: Built to Dominate

Villanova Wildcats vs. Georgetown Hoyas

The game at the Verizon Center had long been decided. By the second half, Villanova had pulled all their starters, conceding defeat to a dominant Georgetown squad led by Alex Mo.

Kerry Kittles, Alvin Williams, and Tim Thomas—the Wildcats' stars—sat on the bench, their faces a mix of frustration and embarrassment.

No one was more affected than Tim Thomas. The Wildcats' highly-touted center had been completely shut down by Alex.

Zero points.

Zero rebounds.

Facing Alex, Thomas had been rendered invisible on the court. The humiliating performance left him questioning his NBA draft aspirations.

Historic Numbers

Georgetown's dominance wasn't just about the win; it was about the how.

Allen Iverson delivered an impressive performance with 25 points and 15 assists, but Alex Mo stole the show with a stat line for the ages:

40 points.25 rebounds.11 blocks.

The triple-double wasn't just remarkable—it was historic.

"Even with legends like Dikembe Mutombo, Alonzo Mourning, and Patrick Ewing in Georgetown's history," an announcer proclaimed, "Alex Mo is the first to record a triple-double with 40+ points, 25+ rebounds, and 10+ blocks!"

"Not just in Georgetown history," another added. "This is the first time in NCAA history anyone has put up those numbers!"

The game had turned into Alex's personal highlight reel, cementing his place in the record books.

Locker Room Celebration

The mood in Georgetown's locker room was jubilant. The moment Alex stepped inside, his teammates, led by Iverson, dumped a bucket of cold water over his head.

"Congrats, man!" Iverson grinned. "You've officially made history!"

"I always knew you had it in you," Jerome Williams added, clapping Alex on the back.

The team cheered as Alex shook the water off, a small smile playing on his lips.

"Alright, settle down," Coach John Thompson said, entering the room with a rare grin. "We've got a visitor who wants to meet you."

The players turned as none other than Dikembe Mutombo stepped into the locker room.

The room fell silent.

A Legend's Words

Dikembe Mutombo wasn't just an NBA All-Star. He was a shot-blocking champion, a Defensive Player of the Year, and one of Georgetown's most legendary alumni.

"Why so quiet?" Mutombo asked, his booming voice breaking the silence. "You play like that, and then you freeze up when I show up?"

He turned to Jerome. "Put down that bucket, kid." Then to Iverson: "Allen, your dribbling's amazing—teach me sometime, huh?"

Finally, Mutombo faced Alex. "And you—Georgetown's new inside giant. Great game tonight, but don't get too proud."

Alex raised an eyebrow. "Proud?"

Mutombo crossed his arms, a smirk on his face. "Listen, I'm tired of triple-doubles in the NBA. When you get there, you'll see what I mean."

The room erupted into laughter.

Mutombo wasn't just boasting. He held the second-most triple-doubles with blocks in NBA history—behind only legends like Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain.

As the laughter died down, Mutombo leaned closer to Alex. "First game we face each other in the NBA, I'm welcoming you with a triple-double. Consider it my gift."

Alex chuckled. "I guess we'll see who gives the gift to whom."

The two locked eyes, smiling. It was a passing of the torch—or perhaps a challenge for the future.

The Season Rolls On

Georgetown's momentum continued to build as they entered the toughest stretch of their schedule. Their biggest test wasn't the defending champion Villanova Wildcats but the Connecticut Huskies—last year's Big East runners-up and a team hungry for redemption.

With Villanova faltering, the clash between Georgetown and Connecticut was seen as a preview of the Big East Championship.

A National Spotlight

As anticipation for the Georgetown-Connecticut game grew, Sports Illustrated released its latest issue, featuring the 1996 NBA rookie preview.

The top three spots remained unchanged:

1. Tim Duncan2. Allen Iverson3. Marcus Camby

But the fourth spot now belonged to Connecticut's Ray Allen.

The big surprise, however, was further down the list.

At 32nd overall, Alex Mo became the first Chinese player to ever appear in Sports Illustrated's rookie predictions.

The magazine noted:

"With his size, athleticism, and historic performances at Georgetown, Alex Mo is poised to become the first Chinese player ever drafted into the NBA."

The ranking sent ripples through the basketball world. Alex wasn't just making waves in the NCAA—he was making history on a global scale.

A New Challenge Awaits

As the team prepared for their next game, Iverson threw the magazine onto Alex's lap.

"Look at you, Mr. Rookie List," he teased.

Alex glanced at the ranking and smirked. "32nd? That's too low."

Iverson laughed. "Let's change that. Beat Connecticut, and you'll be in the top 10 by next month."

Alex nodded. "One game at a time. Let's make history again."