The 17th Pick Who Got Cut? How a Benchwarmer Became the Hero Chicago Didn’t Know It Needed

The Benchwarmer Who Broke the Algorithm

I saw it happen on March 8—Unity vs.欧耶 in a gritty South Side showdown. Final score: 98-96. The hero wasn’t the All-Star. He was #17 on the roster—a guy who’d sat for 42 minutes without a single second of spotlight.

I’ve spent years mapping cold efficiency: shot selection under pressure, defensive rotations that no one tracked, and terminal will to win when it mattered most.

The box score didn’t lie.

Data Doesn’t Lie—But Crowds Do

They call him ‘unproven’. They say ‘too slow’. But look at his TS%: +38% in clutch minutes. Look at his impact per possession: +14%. His defense? Tighter than any starter on paper.

We optimize for value—not fame.

I grew up where dads don’t get rings. Where mothers teach you that greatness isn’t given—it’s taken.

The System That Saw Him First

This isn’t about heroes. It’s about systems that ignore talent because they’re easier to market than track it.

He didn’t need a highlight reel—he needed a late-night practice session with analytics coach who saw what no one else did: gravity in clutch means more than star power.

We build teams around data—and then we let those who proved themselves take over the court.

You Will Give Him a Shot?

Ask yourself: Would you bench a player who put everything on the line when it mattered most? Or would you wait for someone else to save your season? Vote below.