Editor’s Note: Read more NBA coverage from The Athletic here . The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the NBA or its teams.

***

It all began at the Olympic training center in Colorado Springs, Colo., more than six years ago.

Jalen Duren, 15 at the time, was on the main court getting up some late-night shots. He was on his way to joining the U.S. U16 men’s basketball team, having just arrived earlier in the day. He was looking to sharpen his jumper ahead of the first full day of training camp.

As Duren worked up a sweat looking to fine-tune his shot, he heard someone yell, “Damn, that sh– looks like it hurts!”

The voice belonged to someone he had never met before. It was Cade Cunningham, 17 at the time and in town with the U19 national team. Little did Cunnin

See Full Page