Phoenix Dreams

Dreams On The Horizon

*****

Jalen laid on his dorm room bed, the light from his phone illuminating his face in the dim room. The notifications were relentless—Twitter, Instagram, and even TikTok. His name was trendy. Video footage of his 60-point performance filled his feeds, including dunks, step-backs, and deep three-pointers. Fans, sports analysts, and even celebrities had tagged him. 

"Jalen Carter is the future of basketball," one post read.
"This kid's got the it factor. Somebody sign him NOW!" another shouted.

It did not feel real. He had waited his entire life for times like this, but now that they had arrived, it was overpowering. His phone buzzed again, this time with a fresh Instagram direct message. He opened it to discover a blue checkmark and the Phoenix Suns emblem as his profile image. His heart skipped a beat. The message was brief, but life-changing. 

"Jalen, amazing performance tonight. We'd love to have a conversation about your future. Keep it up—we're watching."

Jalen's breath caught. His dream team. The Suns. Before he could analyze it, another notification appeared. This time, the logo for the Los Angeles Lakers. 

"Great game, Jalen. Let's stay in touch—your talent is exactly what we're looking for."

His phone vibrated again. And again. 

Golden State Warriors: "Incredible performance tonight. Let's connect soon."Miami Heat: "Big things ahead for you, Jalen. We'll be in touch."Chicago Bulls: "Outstanding game. We're keeping a close eye on you."

Jalen set down his phone for a time, his hands quivering. The NBA. Several teams were reaching out. This wasn't simply a dream anymore; it was becoming reality. He took up his phone again and scrolled through the messages, but he only wanted to share this event with one person first. He dialed his mother's number, and she answered after the first ring.

"Jalen!" she exclaimed, her voice full of pride. "I just saw the highlights on SportsCenter! They're talking about you, baby! My boy's all over the TV!"

Her words hit him like a wave, and he had to take a deep breath to keep himself from breaking down. "Mom," he said, his voice thick with emotion, "it's happening. NBA scouts are hitting me up. The Suns, the Lakers, the Warriors... it's crazy."

There was a pause on the other end, and then he heard her sniffle. "I'm so proud of you, Jalen. You've worked so hard for this. After everything we've been through... your dad would be so proud, too."

Her mention of his father made his chest tighten, but it also filled him with resolve. "I wish he could see this, Mom. I really do."

"He's watching, baby," she said softly. "He's watching from above, and he's smiling down on you. You've come so far, and you've stayed true to who you are."

Jalen nodded, even though she couldn't see him. "I couldn't have done it without you, Mom. You kept me grounded, kept me going. You sacrificed so much for me."

"Stop that," she said, her voice breaking with emotion. "You deserve this, Jalen. You've earned it, every bit of it. And I'll be here every step of the way, no matter where this journey takes you."

He smiled, wiping at his eyes as the tears finally broke through. "I love you, Mom."

"I love you too, baby. Now, you stay focused. Don't let this moment get to your head, alright? You've got more work to do. This is just the beginning."

Jalen chuckled through his tears. "I know, I know. I got this."

As they hung up, Jalen fell back against his pillow, the gravity of the situation sinking in. The world was watching now, and the way forward was plain. This was no longer simply about playing basketball; it was about proving himself, honoring his family, and fulfilling all of the promises that had brought him this far. He locked his phone and closed his eyes, the hum of his alerts still audible in the background. Sleep would be difficult to get by tonight, but he wasn't concerned. This was the stuff of dreams, and for the first time, Jalen felt like he could achieve them.