NBA China Games 2025: Zeng Fanbo eyes ‘positive impact’ for Brooklyn Nets in Macau
‘I feel very lucky to be a part of such a major event,’ Zeng says on eve of NBA’s return to China after six-year absence
The Brooklyn Nets’ new signing Zeng Fanbo has said he is better equipped to make a charge at the NBA than he was a few years ago.
Speaking in Macau on Thursday ahead of the NBA China Games, Zeng, who signed a one-year Exhibit 10 contract with the Eastern Conference team last month, also said he held no grudge about being left on the bench during the Nets’ 123-88 victory over Hapoel Jerusalem at Barclays Centre last Saturday.
Zeng, 22, could make his debut when the Nets will face the Phoenix Suns in the first of two pre-season encounters in Macau on Friday, marking the NBA’s return to China for the first time in six years. A second match will follow on Sunday.
Both teams had open practice at the Venetian Arena, but the assembled media focused largely on Chinese international Zeng, who revealed his ambitions for his second attempt to make an impact in the elite league.
“When I played in the NBA G League last time, I was only 17, 18 years old,” said Zeng, who averaged 5.0 points and 2.3 rebounds in 22 games with developmental team NBA G League Ignite in 2021-22. “Maybe I wasn’t ready for the transition from high school, whether mentally, physically or in terms of reading the game.”
Zeng has since had three seasons with Chinese Basketball Association outfit Beijing Ducks, with the last ending abruptly after being fouled and injured in April in a play-off match against Shanxi Loongs.