Player Profile

General Information

Name: Naruto Namikaze
Age: 19
Position: Shooting Guard/ Small Forward
Number: 1
Height: 6'8"
Weight: 200 lbs
Handedness: Ambidextrous
From: Brooklyn, New York

Pre NBA Career

High School: Saint Patrick Secondary
College: University of South California
Picked by: Cleveland Cavaliers(2013 Draft:1st Pick/1st Round)

On court Equipment
NBA Headband
Left Arm sleeve

Family

Minato Namikaze (Father), Kushina Uzumaki (Mother), Karin Uzumaki (Twin Sister), Jiraiya (Godfather & Agent), Tsunade Senju (Godmother), Sasuke Uchiha (Childhood Friend).

-Naruto's Apartment, Cleveland, Ohio-
-October 30th, 2013, 18:13-

The faint drone of the sports channel rang through the apartment, punctuated by excited shouts from the analysts on the show he watched. Naruto Namikaze, a young blond lanky baller sank deeper into his fresh leather couch.

It wasn't long since he moved into his new spot. Currently clutching his cellphone with his hand. Images flickered across the TV screen – highlights of his college games with the USC Trojans, interspersed with interviews with fans in team jerseys, their faces painted in anticipation.

"The whole town is buzzing, to see Kyrie and Naruto! I first thought we'd never recover from LeBron's departure for Miami. But seeing the young talent we've got in return! I'm glad I actually burned my LeBron jersey! I can't wait to see what they'll do this season!" one middle aged fan boomed as the screen changed to show a young girl.

"My dad says he's been a fan of him since his college days, so I can't wait to see if he'll live up to the hype." The screen then changed to show the anchor group.

"Naruto Namikaze, the consensus number one pick of the Cavs has been a bright light for Cleveland. As you've guys heard this city's been hungry for some success since LeBron's departure. Some say there's a clash between him and Dion Waiters seeing they both play shooting guard, but I think the blond fits well into the Cavs system. He sure showed that in the pre-season, as compared to Waiters his stats are incomparable."

Naruto couldn't help but wince, the sudden proclamation of him being better than his teammate didn't help the nervous feeling he had in his stomach. He didn't need the pressure of knowing whether he'd start today's game or not.

Sure, throughout training camp he'd impressed more than Dion and showed surprisingly great connection with Kyrie when it came to them working together. Even if the two's short time together shocked many people when it wasn't long till he and Kyrie imitated the Clippers Lob City pairing of Chris Paul and Blake Griffin.

Even if that's the case, it was up to the coach's decision.

Feeling his phone buzz, Naruto checked his phone to see the Whatsapp logo, pointing out he'd gotten a message from Kyrie.

'Speak of the devil.' The 19 year old thought as he read his message.

Kyrie- Ready to put the league on notice, man?

Naruto- You know it! I'm feeling pumped!

Kyrie- Like to hear it! First we deal with opening day, and the march to the playoffs can begin. Catch you at the arena, man.

Naruto- See you soon.

Sending the message, the blond glanced up from his phone.

Above his TV there stood a shelf that had a couple framed pictures on top of it.

Naruto's personal mantle of memories. One showed a younger, scrawnier Naruto beaming beside his dad, with a worn basketball clutched in each hand. The blond couldn't help but reminisce of his AAU days, when he and his dad made trips all over the country, just for him to play in tournaments whenever it was summer vacation. That picture if he remembered correctly was taken hours after he'd been approached by a Trojans scout who'd said he'd keep close tabs on him.

He remembered how pumped up he was with adrenaline hearing those news that the dusty court behind the motel building they'd rented. Was where he spent many hours honing his skills.

The next frame showed his high school graduation. Him, his twin (little sister since he came out first) Karin and Sasuke wore their regalias as they made goofy grins to celebrate the occasion. Of course, the teme didn't break his serious expression, but Naruto didn't decide to bug him about it. Last thing he needed was Karin berating him all over again.

'No point of wasting more time, here.' The blond thought as he quickly switched off the TV.

Taking a deep breath, he then stood up, having a newfound sense of determination to make all this newfound pressure not get the better of him.

Remembering his mom's words, even if his future was uncertain, he was ready since all of his small victories from the AAU to college showed it.

He'd worked hard just like everyone else in his draft class, and he'd be damned if he would allow butterflies in his stomach to make him have second thoughts on his dream to play in the league. For himself, his family, and every kid back at his community in Brooklyn he wouldn't falter.

-Quickens Loans Arena, Cleveland, Ohio-
-October 30th, 2013, 20:00-
-Brooklyn Nets Cleveland Cavaliers: Game 1-

Naruto dribbled the ball uncharacteristically slow, the weight of the stitched leather didn't help keep his suddenly shaky hands calm.

The cavernous arena thrummed with a low, expectant hum that vibrated through his maroon-themed Kobe IV sneakers. Taking a small break, the teen decided to check his bearings. Seeing a sea of faces as he glanced around. Gulping a bit at the sheer numbers, why was he so nervous?

'You led USC to win March Madness, dummy! Get a grip!' the blond thought to himself as he launched a lazy three-pointer from the corner. As expected the ball swished through the net with a satisfying snap, a feat that was well known to be one of the most dangerous shots he had in his arsenal.

"Tristan, ball!" the blond barked to the big man who was currently warming up his rebounds. "If you want to help out, why not miss a couple shots on purpose!" Thompson grinned, as he chest passed the ball.

"Now why would I do that?" he asked as he caught the ball and drained another three.

"How am I going to warm up, if you just sink your shots?"

"Shouldn't you instead, shoot the ball, like the rest of us?" Naruto quipped as he caught the rock for another shot, only for a voice cut through the pre-game symphony.

"Hey, number three! Can you sign my jersey?" A young girl, clutching a maroon Cavs jersey, grinned from the front row, her eyes wide with hero worship. Several other fans chimed in, brandishing basketballs, t-shirts, and even a foam finger in Naruto's direction.

The blond seeing this couldn't help but chuckle since he caught off guard.

This wasn't something he'd anticipated, but nonetheless he oblidged. "To who is this for, little girl?" Naruto asked the girl who beamed with excitement. "Maya." she replied as the blond wrote.

Enjoy the game, Maya.

"Could you also add a P.S for my little brother Ian? I need to make him jealous!" the girl said with an evil grin as the blond chuckled.

"Gotta keep the sibling rivalry alive, huh?" he stated since it was the same thing he did with his sister.

"You know it! So can you make it a cheeky message."

Hearing this the blond nodded.

P.S Maya's going to be a millionaire with this jersey, one day Ian.

Returning the shirt to the girl she grinned. "It's perfect." she commented as the bond grinned. 'All in a days work.' he thought as he then moved his attention to all the other fans.

Just then, as he was about to take up a cap a booming voice echoed across the court.

"Naruto! What are you doing signing merch for? You're starting tonight, remember?" Coach Mike Brown, a barrel-chested man with a fire in his eyes, stood at the other end of the court, arms crossed.

Naruto's cheeks couldn't help but feel flushed. 'Wait...did he say I'm starting?'

He hadn't expected such a baptism by fire, to be thrown headfirst into the starting line-up on opening night. He'd thought that Dion would take his spot at shooting guard, but it seemed Coach Brown wanted to set the tone with him and Kyrie.

"Sorry coach!" he shouted back, a grin splitting his face as he apologised to the fans and promised to do it one day.

Suddenly, the pre-game jitters transformed into a focused intensity. Every dribble, every pass and shoot was fueled by the weight of his new role and the roar of the crowd.

"You look more pumped up than usual, bro." The magician, Kyrie Irving, commented on Naruto's resurgence. "Is there someone special you have in the stands?" Kyrie asked getting a chuckle from Naruto.

"No, it's to early to be thinking about girls Ky. Coach Brown just dropped I'll be starting, today."

"I heard, and honestly you deserve it man." Kyrie stated giving Naruto a fistbump. "I just feel sad for Nets, since now they gonna have to deal with the both of us." he quipped as Naruto chuckled. Moments later the final buzzer rang, signalling the end of warmups with the game now needing to start.

"We'll give them a night to remember." the blond replied. "You know it!" Kyrie concluded.