NBA: Undrafted? I’m Dominating the Class of 2003

The 2003 NBA Draft was over.

Jiang Ran went undrafted.

The scouting report had just one line:

“An Asian guard with no chance of surviving in the NBA.”

With 47 seconds left in the final game of the Summer League, he was told he was about to be cut.

But one second before he stepped onto the court, Jiang Ran was reborn.

He returned to the night his fate was shattered, bringing with him twenty years’ worth of basketball knowledge.

No System.

No stat screen.

No sudden boost to his physical abilities.

All he had were the answers basketball’s future would bring.

While others still worshipped the post-up game, he was already using three-pointers to usher in a new era.

While others mocked Asian guards for their defense, he was already anticipating their next pass.

They said undrafted players belonged on the bench. He was determined to steal the spotlight in front of the legendary 2003 draft class.

Forty-seven seconds left: a steal, a three-pointer, a game-winner.

LeBron remembered his name.

Wade started guarding him seriously.

Iverson warned him not to back up too far.

Kidd said he needed to think one step ahead.

Yao Ming showed the world the strength of China’s big men.

And Jiang Ran would prove to everyone:

China could produce world-class guards too.