Fanbo Zeng Explained

Fanbo Zeng
曾凡博
Position:Power forward / small forward
Height Ft:6
Height In:11
Weight Lbs:199
League:CBA
Team:Beijing Ducks
Number:1
Nationality:Chinese
Birth Date:11 January 2003
Birth Place:Harbin, China
High School:Windermere Prep
(Windermere, Florida)
Draft Year:2022
Career Start:2021
Years1:2021–2022
Team1:NBA G League Ignite
Years2:2022–present
Team2:Beijing Ducks
Career Number:12

Fanbo Zeng (; born 11 January 2003) is a Chinese professional basketball player for the Beijing Ducks of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA). Zeng committed to Gonzaga University in November of 2020, but later instead chose to withdraw from his college choice and compete with NBA G League Ignite. Listed at 6feet and 190lbs, he plays the power forward and small forward positions. At the high school level, he played for Windermere Preparatory School in Windermere, Florida. Zeng was a consensus four-star recruit and a former Gonzaga commit.

Early life and high school career

Zeng was born in Harbin in the Chinese province of Heilongjiang.[1] At age eleven, he joined the youth program of the Beijing Ducks.[2] For his freshman year of high school, Zeng moved to the United States, enrolling at Windermere Preparatory School in Windermere, Florida.[3] As a sophomore, he averaged 15.5 points, 7.2 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game, earning Class 3A All-State first team honors.[4] He returned to China after the season and was unable to rejoin the team in his junior season due to COVID-19 travel restrictions.[5] He also bypassed his senior year.[6]

Recruiting

Zeng was a consensus four-star recruit and was considered "China's top basketball prospect" by The Athletic.[7] On November 21, 2020, he committed to playing college basketball for Gonzaga over offers from Florida State, Florida and Virginia Tech, among others.[8] On April 24, 2021, he decommitted from Gonzaga with the intention of joining the NBA G League Ignite, in part because of the departure of assistant coach Tommy Lloyd, who had recruited him to Gonzaga.[7]

Professional career

NBA G League Ignite (2021)

On October 13, 2021, Zeng signed with the NBA G League Ignite of the NBA G League.[9] [10] On June 25, 2022, Fanbo Zeng signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Indiana Pacers.

National team career

Zeng was expected to represent China at the 2020 FIBA Under-17 Basketball World Cup in Sofia, but the event was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[5]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Herring . Troy . Big man on campus: Fanbo Zeng brings A-game to Windermere Prep . . April 24, 2021 . January 23, 2019.
  2. Web site: Xiaochen . Sun . Next-gen thinking puts trust in youth . . April 24, 2021 . August 28, 2020.
  3. Web site: Collings . Buddy . Fanbo Zeng is big missing piece for Windermere Prep basketball . . April 24, 2021 . November 9, 2020.
  4. Web site: Collings . Buddy . Fanbo Zeng of Windermere Prep is 3A basketball All-State . . April 24, 2021 . April 23, 2020.
  5. Web site: Collings . Buddy . Windermere Prep basketball's Fanbo Zeng quarantined in China . . April 24, 2021 . March 28, 2020.
  6. Web site: Collings . Buddy . Orlando area high school boys basketball season preview . . April 24, 2021 . November 24, 2020.
  7. Web site: Charania . Shams . Top Chinese prospect Fanbo Zeng picks G League Ignite over Gonzaga: Sources . . April 24, 2021 . April 24, 2021.
  8. Web site: Givony . Jonathan . Fanbo Zeng, the No. 33 prospect in ESPN's Class of 2022, commits to play for Gonzaga . . April 24, 2021 . November 21, 2020.
  9. Web site: Top Chinese prospect Fanbo Zeng signs with G League Ignite, eyes 2022 NBA draft. October 13, 2021. ESPN. 13 October 2021 .
  10. Web site: Top International Prospect Fanbo Zeng Signs With NBA G League Ignite. NBA.com. October 13, 2021. October 17, 2021.