Fanbo Zeng
曾凡博
No. 1 – Beijing Ducks
PositionPower forward / small forward
LeagueCBA
Personal information
Born (2003-01-11) January 11, 2003 (age 21)
Harbin, China
NationalityChinese
Listed height6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)
Listed weight199 lb (90 kg)
Career information
High schoolWindermere Prep
(Windermere, Florida)
NBA draft2022: undrafted
Playing career2021–present
Number12
Career history
2021–2022NBA G League Ignite
2022–presentBeijing Ducks

Fanbo Zeng (Chinese: 曾凡博; born January 11, 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 6 feet 11 inches (2.11 m) and 190 pounds (86 kg), 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]

US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight Commit date
Fanbo Zeng
PF 		Harbin, China Windermere Prep (FL) 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 190 lb (86 kg) — 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals:4/5 stars   247Sports:4/5 stars    ESPN:4/5 stars   ESPN grade: 88
Overall recruiting rankings:   247Sports: 73  ESPN: 33
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "2021 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved April 24, 2021.

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]

References

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