I hope that I can influence Chinese basketball, and even the youth. "I really appreciate people believing in me, and I'll use that as a motivation. Draft Notes. "It's very, very important to have coaches who understand different cultures and can guide me through this process.". [Assistant] coach Tommy Lloyd has been taking such a great care of the athletes that came from overseas. Zeng said his decision to come to the U.S. at age 14 should help his transition to the college game and, he hopes, boost his chances of playing in the NBA. At 6-9 Zeng is a skilled ball handler and passer with a good feel for the game. "For me, my plan of going back to high school in the States had to be canceled. Coming from a basketball family, with both parents ex-players, Zeng was identified as a prospect at an early age, moving from his hometown of Harbin to an academy 750 miles away in Beijing at age 11 before eventually moving to Oregon and then Florida. The 19-year-old Zeng, one of the . Fanbo Zeng, the No. Zeng, who plays above the rim frequently but also possesses strong passing ability and a smooth lefty shooting stroke, is a "special, unique player, at 6-foot-9 who shot 47% for 3," Windermere Prep coach Brian Hoff said. I will also finish schoolwork a year early and start playing in college next year. You have reached ESPN's Australian edition. [Assistant] coach Tommy Lloyd has been taking such a great care of the athletes that came from overseas. Also, just to develop overall. "This was the best decision I could make while I was in China. He really showed me what the program is about and how I'd fit perfectly at Gonzaga. Fanbo Zeng, who is considered to be the top Chinese prospect, will reportedly decommit from Gonzaga to sign with the NBA G League Ignite for the 2021-22 season, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic. NIL, legal threats among issues for new NCAA boss, Tennessee coach Vitello to return after suspension, No. Fanbo was also named to the Chinese men's basketball team's training camp prior to their 2021 Olympic qualifying matchups and the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers, which were held this past summer. Having arrived in Oregon as a 14-year old, Zeng says that having spent much of his high school career in the U.S. will help ease his transition to Ignite. Visit ESPN for the play-by-play of the Ontario Clippers vs. G League Ignite NBA G League basketball game on 11 November 2021 . Fanbo Zeng, 2022 Power Forward - Rivals.com Unable to get prospect follow status. 1 overall? 1 in combined men's and women's college basketball rankings, Dick Vitale's 2020-21 college basketball players to watch -- and more, 2021 men's college basketball recruiting class rankings: Michigan stays at 1; Auburn and UNLV rise, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Fanbo Zeng, the No. Zeng, once rated as the. I need to keep working on getting stronger. I already can't wait to join.". Forward Fanbo Zeng, a four star recruit in the 2022 class, will also try to reclassify and play next season. It's a huge motivation for me rather than pressure. I really hope that someday I'll be playing in the NBA. "They've had many significant examples of developing international players. Increasing the visibility of the NBA in China is a major priority moving forward, league officials have told ESPN. "It's very, very important to have coaches who understand different cultures and can guide me through this process.". Zeng was a consensus four-star recruit and a former Gonzaga commit. 9 pick in the 2019 NBA draft; Lithuanian big man and fellow former Zag Domantas Sabonis was selected No. Fanbo was also named to the Chinese men's basketball team's training camp prior to their 2021 Olympic qualifying matchups and the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers, which were held this past summer. Status Undeclared. "Gonzaga is a very successful program with great people -- coaches, staff, players and all the fans," Zeng told ESPN. A playmaker with size who has range as well. On October 13, 2021, Zeng signed with the NBA G League Ignite of the NBA G League. You have come to the ESPN Africa edition, for other ESPN editions, click above. "For me, my plan of going back to high school in the States had to be canceled. 33 prospect in the ESPN Class of 2022, has committed to play college basketball at Gonzaga, he told ESPN on Saturday. Only two Chinese players have been drafted in the past 15 years, with Zhou Qi being the last player to set foot on an NBA floor, in 2018. A native of Harbin, China, Fanbo was among ESPN's top-ranked forwards in the class of 2022. Check out the latest news below for more on his current fantasy value. MORE:What is G League Ignite? Also, just to develop overall. So, it had a pretty big impact, but at the same time showed me more options.". "It was important because it helped me learn a different style of playing, as well as the culture. "I was lucky enough to have coach Brian Hoff from Windermere Prep and my AAU coach, Anthony Ricks, to help me grow as a student and a player. ESPN had good news for Chinese basketball fans as it ranked Zeng Fanbo, a 17-year-old power forward from Windermere Preparatory School, 34th as a four-star player on its Recruiting List of the 2022 Class. I'm far from being compared to the greatest Chinese players that ever played. 2023 MLB draft rankings 1.0: Which SEC slugger is No. That's the ultimate goal. "They've had many significant examples of developing international players. Zeng said his decision to come to the U.S. at age 14 should help his transition to the college game and, he hopes, boost his chances of playing in the NBA. There are no shortcuts. He is also a capable playmaker off the bounce as he has solid ball skills for the position and is capable of facing up bigs and also using his threat to shoot to attack closeouts. He established himself as a top recruit after averaging 15.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.6 blocks and 2.1 assists as a second-year in 2019-20, shooting 47% from 3-point range. The lefty has a smooth stroke and is a plus-shooter from three, primarily off. [6], Zeng was a consensus four-star recruit and was considered "China's top basketball prospect" by The Athletic. Whether or not it's a two-way contract to split time with the Pacers and their G League affiliate Fort Wayne Mad Ants or a standard contract with the Pacers, all options are on the table. [7] On November 21, 2020, he committed to playing college basketball for Gonzaga over offers from Florida State, Florida and Virginia Tech, among others. With only one Chinese player drafted since 2007, the country's basketball fans have significant hopes for Zeng's development over the coming years. MarJon Beauchamp, who will be present in the Draft night green room, is expected to go . There are no shortcuts. Jaden Hardy enters the game for Fanbo Zeng: 27: 24: 1:06: MarJon . Fanbo Zeng, the No. He spent two years at Windermere Prep in Florida before returning to China in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 1 overall? Height:6-11Weight:199Position:FClub:G League IgniteAge:19, 2021-2022 Season StatsPPG:3.8RPG:1.4APG:0.8BLK:0.3STL:0.8. Here's why you should keep an eye on the Chinese forward ahead of the 2022-23 season. He says he has grown 2 inches in the past 18 months and now stands 6-foot-11, while weighing 198 pounds. He spent two years at Windermere Prep in Florida before returning to China in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Chinese forward Zeng Fanbo will play for the Chinese Basketball Association's (CBA's) Beijing Ducks in the 2022-23 season. He spent two years at. For example, Ja Morant being an unranked player in high school did not keep him from being selected by the Memphis Grizzlies with the second overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft and leading the Rookie of the Year competition. "Most importantly, I wish I can contribute wearing the Chinese national jersey and represent my country on a global stage. Zeng picked Gonzaga over scholarship offers from Florida State, Florida, Virginia Tech and others. With only one Chinese player drafted since 2007, the country's basketball fans have significant hopes for Zeng's development over the coming years. April 24, 2021 3:43 pm ET. Birth: 11 1 2003 (age 20) : 207cm / 6'9". "I was lucky enough to have coach Brian Hoff from Windermere Prep and my AAU coach, Anthony Ricks, to help me grow as a student and a player. NIL, legal threats among issues for new NCAA boss, Tennessee coach Vitello to return after suspension, No. No Crystal Ball predictions at this time. Your default site has been set for 7 days, Who is Fanbo Zeng? Lack of diversity within collegiate sports leadership continues, Baylor sits at No. The 17-year-old Zeng has garnered considerable attention both in the U.S. and China thanks to the progress he made this past season. 33 prospect in the ESPN class of 2022, has signed with the G League Ignite program and will declare for the 2022 NBA draft. Besides, a high school rating does not necessarily tell what kind of player someone will be. 33 prospect in the ESPN class of 2022, told ESPN on Wednesday that he has signed with the NBA's G League Ignite program and will declare for the 2022 NBA draft. 2023 MLB draft rankings 1.0: Which SEC slugger is No. I'm lucky enough to have someone like Yao [Ming] as a pioneer. Zeng returned to China at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and, due to travel restrictions, missed out on what would have been his senior year at Windermere. NBA Home Scores Schedule Standings Stats Teams Daily Lines All-Star Game More Class Rankings Class Rankings; College Basketball College Basketball; ESPN.com: Help | Press | Advertise on ESPN.com . 33 prospect in ESPN's Class of 2022, commits to play for Gonzaga", "Top Chinese prospect Fanbo Zeng signs with G League Ignite, eyes 2022 NBA draft", "Top International Prospect Fanbo Zeng Signs With NBA G League Ignite", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Fanbo_Zeng&oldid=1130451384, Chinese expatriate basketball people in the United States, Articles containing Chinese-language text, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0. Club: Beijing Bucks Basketball Club (CHN) Nationality: CHN. 247Sports Composite Top247. He paved the way for Chinese players, especially players who play in the States. 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