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_This is a short story developed for the Furry Basketball League - Furry Basketball _

All characters are owned by me. Kennith Shrader is a part of the United Furry Football League - Furry Football

The house phone started to ring. Rafael Hayes was sitting with his family, friends, and middle school coach Samuel Garland watching the FBA draft. They were well into the second round hoping that his name would be called before the draft is over. And with the family telling everyone not to call the phone during this time, that meant only one thing; a team had picked Rafael. He looked at his coach, who smiled and nodded, and then reached to pick up the phone.

"With the thirty-seventh pick in the 2016 FBA draft, the Dakota Bikers select... Rafael Hayes..." The room erupted into cheers as they finally heard his name being called. At the same time, the coyote was listening on the phone hearing the Bikers' general manager telling him that he is now a part of the team.

"Thank you, sir; I really appreciate it" he replied before hanging up the phone only to be bombarded by his friends in a hug. The dream is starting to come true; he is going to leave his small town of Soda Springs and become a professional basketball player while touring the country. The only other time he even left the town is when he went to college in Indiana.

"Congratulations, Raffie" his mother Anna, a coyote, said to him while his father Leon, a wolf, stood beside her. They could see the smile on his face knowing that he seemed good enough to play professionally.

"Yeah, congrats, son. Though I am not sure about the team that picked you. The bikers? I heard how rough they can be during games; especially that guy Dylan Redfield" Leon started. "I read how he deliberately injured a player with those antlers a few years back and then this last year he skipped the team to play football for a while."

Raffie chuckled a little and shook his head. "It will be all right, dad. I can handle myself if I end up in some trouble", he assured the two while he felt a hand on his shoulder behind him.

"Congratulations, Raffie." This time, it was the coach Samuel talking to him. "You made it this far but you still have a lot of work to do to become as good as you can get into this game. I know the coach there will be hard on you. It won't be like high school but they will be tough on you and you have to prove you have what it takes."

Rafael nods as he listens to his coach. "I understand. I just have to bear it and know their coach is doing what's best for me."

"That's right. And don't be discouraged if you do sit on the bench for a while. You are dealing with veterans of the game too. I would spend that time watching how they move and perform so that you can be in sync with them when it is time to play", Samuel suggested to the young coyote.

Leon nods in agreement. "I don't think Garland here has steered you wrong and I am proud of how far you have gone with this. But if this doesn't work out, then at least you have a degree to back you up. Maybe you can even be a nutritionist for the athletes."

Raffie gave a small chuckle from his father's words. "I will keep that in mind. I was planning on getting involved with athletes one way or another; I just like this way", he adds as the group around them moved variously around the house. Moments later the phone rang again. Figuring that it would be his agent calling, the young coyote picked up the phone to answer it. "Hello; who am I speaking to?"

"Hello, this is Kennith Shrader calling for Rafael Hayes."

"Oh, hey there! This is him speaking." The coyote has heard of Kennith Shrader back in college over at Acorn University; being a breakthrough football player for the school and now playing in the United Furry Football League. The fact that Kennith called him in the first place was quite a shock seeing that he never met the German shepherd personally.

"Oh, dude, perfect! I managed to catch up with the FBA draft after the game just in time to see you drafted. Congrats, man. This is a huge opportunity you have" the footballer started. "It's also a big opportunity for Acorn University as they have a second person going pro; you should be proud of yourself."

"Wow... thanks for that" Rafael nearly stammered in return.

"No problem. Listen, I have to hang up now and do a couple interviews. I might call back soon so that I can give you a few pointers of what to expect as a professional. I'll see you later", Kennith told Rafael before hanging up the phone.

Rafael whispered a 'wow' to himself after he hung up the phone. "That was Kennith Shrader...'The Shredder' as they call him" he told his dad and coach as he took his seat back on the couch.

"I think I heard of that name", Leon started as Samuel laughed lightly.

"He's a hardcore defensive end for the North Florida Renegades; nearly taking defensive player of the year last season. If you were to run his way in a running play, you are guaranteed not to pass five yards with him taking you down. He's so popular there they even made a doll for him" coach Garland explained to the two.

"And he attended the college I went to. Never met him but I heard stories about him and his past." Raffie now realized that not only would he be representing for the Dakota Bikers but also Acorn University, who now has brought out two star players in five years. At that moment the phone rang again; this time the coyote expect it to be his agent on the other line. "Hello; who am I speaking to?"

"Ah, Rafael; this is Melissa calling to congratulate you on being called in the draft." The doe on the other end tried her best to cover the sounds behind her but there were still some cheers and yelling from that end.

"Thank you, Miss Ware. Should I begin to start packing up for the trip to Sturgis?" the coyote started, the anticipation now coming to him.

"Yes. I want you leaving for there by Monday. I'll set up a flight for you if that is okay."

"Oh.. no need to. I'm sure I can make the drive there."

"You're driving... in that ratty truck?" The doe didn't sound convinced about Raffie's decision.

"Look, I made it to Indiana and back with it. I know it will do the trip there", the coyote assured his agent.

There was a small sigh on the other end but the call continued. "All right then. If you have any problems on your way there, you call me. I don't want you stranded in the middle of nowhere."

"You got it. See you later, Miss Ware." And with that, Raffie hung up the phone. While the house phone would be quiet, his cell phone was constantly buzzing after he was picked; knowing that it would be various people congratulating him and wishing him the best. "Well, I guess I should start packing for the trip", he announced to the room.

"Oh no you don't, Raffie" his mother interrupted him as he got up. "You should be here with your friends partying over this occasion. We can do all the packing together tomorrow" she added as she pointed over to the dining room, where his friends were at the table digging in on the food.

Rafael looked at his coach, who nodded once more with a wink, and headed over to join his friends and neighbors to celebrate this new life he would be partaking in real soon.