NBA: Built to Dominate

The efficiency of CCTV was remarkable.

The moment they realized that Alex Mo had taken the NCAA by storm, they sprang into action.

On the very day that NBA Commissioner David Stern flew back to the United States, CCTV-2 aired a short preview clip of Mo's NCAA highlights during their primetime sports segment at 9 PM.

At first, Chinese viewers thought it was just another advertisement.

After all, how could there be a Chinese basketball player with such an insane vertical leap and dominant presence in American college basketball?

But as the short clip ended, a bold message flashed across the screen:

"This Saturday at 6 PM, CCTV-2 will broadcast the NCAA Championship Round of 16: Georgetown University vs. University of North Carolina."

And in the fine print:

"Featuring Georgetown's Chinese sensation, Alex Mo!"

The Reaction in China: A Frenzy Begins

The announcement sent shockwaves across the country.

In 1996, without the prevalence of social media, TV and newspapers were the primary sources of information, making this news spread like wildfire.

The next day, conversations about Alex Mo dominated workplaces, schools, and college campuses across the nation.

"Can this be real? We actually have a Chinese player dominating in the U.S.?!""CCTV wouldn't lie to us. This Mo kid looks like a monster!""Did you see his dunks? My God, he looks like a human highlight reel!""Why are we the same age, but he's out there dominating Americans, and I'm stuck here writing reports?"

College students, in particular, were enthralled.

Mo was one of them, after all—a freshman, just 19 years old.

And yet, he was destroying future NBA stars on American soil.

For the first time in history, the Chinese basketball community had a reason to dream.

Back in the U.S.: The Pressure Is On Camby

While Mo Moania was gripping China, back in Washington, Georgetown University was laser-focused on their upcoming Elite Eight showdown against Marcus Camby and the University of Massachusetts.

During practice, Coach John Thompson pulled Alex Mo aside.

"Mo, listen," he said seriously. "Marcus Camby is the best defensive player in the country. Even Tim Duncan had trouble against him. Don't take him lightly."

The coach's concern was valid.

Camby had been a top prospect for years. With Tim Duncan staying in school for another year, Camby was widely regarded as the best big man in the draft.

A poor showing against Camby could hurt Mo's skyrocketing draft stock.

Mo, however, simply grinned. "Coach, Camby should be the one worried."

Thompson shook his head but couldn't help but smile.

Mo wasn't just confident—he was fearless.

And he was right.

The pressure was all on Marcus Camby.

Why Camby Can't Lose

Unlike Mo, who had risen from obscurity to a projected lottery pick, Camby had been under the spotlight since the start of the season.

He was expected to be the #1 pick in the 1996 NBA Draft, just behind Allen Iverson.

His title as the best big man in college basketball had been uncontested—until now.

If Camby got outplayed by Alex Mo in the biggest game of the year, his stock could plummet, and Mo's could soar into top-three conversation.

In this matchup:

If Mo wins, his stock skyrockets. A Cinderella story.If Mo loses, his rise was still incredible, and he'd still be a lottery pick.If Camby loses, his reputation takes a major hit.

Camby knew it.

And it was weighing on him.

The North Shore Gardens Showdown

The NCAA had arranged for this Elite Eight matchup to be held at the North Shore Garden Arena, the home of the Boston Celtics.

The decision made perfect sense.

Massachusetts was Camby's home turf.

But there was another reason.

With the Celtics tanking their season, they were almost guaranteed a top pick in the upcoming draft.

With Camby and Iverson expected to go in the top three, this was a chance for Celtics fans—and management—to get a firsthand look at their potential new franchise player.

Cardinal Red Auerbach, the legendary Celtics executive, personally ensured the game would be played on their home court.

But deep down, he wasn't just looking at Camby.

His eyes were on Alex Mo.

The Celtics were desperate for a dominant big man, and Auerbach wanted to see if Mo could be the future of the franchise.

The Atmosphere Was Electric

As the teams arrived at the arena, the atmosphere inside North Shore Gardens was buzzing with anticipation.

The home crowd erupted when Marcus Camby stepped onto the floor.

But even in enemy territory, Alex Mo's presence couldn't be ignored.

Journalists and scouts from all 30 NBA teams were seated courtside, eagerly watching the two star centers warm up.

Mo caught a lob from Iverson and hammered down a windmill dunk, sending murmurs through the crowd.

Camby, not to be outdone, threw down his own two-handed slam and pounded his chest.

The battle lines were drawn.

Camby's Locker Room Pressure

In the locker room before tip-off, Camby sat with his head down, breathing heavily.

His teammates were hyping him up, but deep down, he was feeling the weight of the moment.

This wasn't just a battle for the NCAA Championship.

This was about pride, reputation, and legacy.

Could he really let some newcomer from China outshine him?

As he laced up his sneakers, he muttered to himself, "This is my house."

Meanwhile, in Georgetown's Locker Room…

Alex Mo, in stark contrast, was all smiles.

He turned to Iverson. "Hey, AI, you ready?"

Iverson chuckled. "Man, I was born ready."

Mo cracked his knuckles. "Good, because tonight's going to be fun."

The confidence radiating from Mo was infectious.

He wasn't here to prove anything.

He was here to dominate.

Tip-Off Approaching...

As both teams took the floor for warm-ups, ESPN's commentators were already hyping up the matchup.

"This is the game everyone's been waiting for," one announcer said. "Mo versus Camby. Offense versus defense."

"Mo has been a wrecking ball all season," his co-commentator added. "But can he handle Camby's defensive pressure?"

"Let's find out."

To Be Continued...

With the world watching—on both sides of the globe—Alex Mo was about to face his toughest test yet.

Could he prove that he was the true No. 1 big man in college basketball?

One thing was certain.

The battle in North Shore Gardens would be one for the ages.