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Jonathan White

Chinese teen basketball hope Zeng Fanbo has decided to play next season in the NBA G League rather than college basketball with Gonzaga. 
The 18-year-old Windermere Prep player had committed to the Zags for the 2021-22 season, announcing his commitment last November.
However, NBA reporter Shams Charania said on Saturday the 6’9” (2.05m) power forward has decided instead to sign for the G League Ignite, the NBA development league hothouse for draft prospects.
Zeng confirmed his decision with a statement on Weibo on Sunday. 


 











 View this post on Instagram























A post shared by Fanbo Zeng (@fanbo_zeng)



“Everyone has their dream and I want to chase mine,” he wrote. “All youngsters should try their best for their dreams. Making myself better is always meaningful, whether my dream comes true or not in the end.”
The move has been debated online, with state media CGTN asking whether he has made the right decision.
China’s NBA hope Zeng Fanbo misses out on Hoop Summit team
Zeng was born in Harbin, Heilongjiang province, and was part of the Beijing Ducks youth programme. The Ducks sent him to the US for a high school try-out when he was 14 in 2017.
He signed on at Florida-based Windermere Prep in 2018.
Zeng, who was named as No 33 on ESPN’s list of high school recruits, is currently playing for Beijing in the CBDL, the Chinese reserve league, having returned to China during Covid-19.


Some highlights of Fanbo Zeng, a 6'9 athletic Chinese forward with a sweet shooting stroke who can handle and pass the ball impressively for a 17-year old that size. Should fit in very nicely at Gonzaga starting next summer. (news story: https://t.co/dxTAeV8iK5) pic.twitter.com/aKLBkjuIns
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) November 22, 2020

He told ESPN in November that Gonzaga’s history with international players such as Japan’s Rui Hachimura had helped his decision.
“It’s always more difficult for international players to adapt,” he said. “It’s very, very important to have coaches who understand different cultures and can guide me through this process.”
Zeng also namechecked Zags assistant coach Tommy Lloyd as key to that decision over other college offers.
NBA G-League’s Filipino star Kai Sotto hopes to replicate Kobe Bryant and Jeremy Lin popularity in China
“[Assistant] coach Tommy Lloyd has been taking such great care of the athletes that came from overseas. He really showed me what the programme is about and how I’d fit perfectly at Gonzaga. I already can’t wait to join,” he said.
Charania reported that Lloyd’s departure was key to Zeng choosing to go to the development league over college basketball.
The G League Ignite made their debut this season with top draft prospects such as Jalen Green and Jonathan Kuminga starring for the team as they reached the play-offs.


Fanbo Zeng, China’s top basketball prospect, is decommitting from Gonzaga and planning to join the NBA G League Ignite, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.https://t.co/Qh9FEhvDRM
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 24, 2021

Philippines prospect Kai Sotto signed for the team but left before playing a game after travelling home for national duty. He has now signed for the Adelaide 36ers in Australia’s NBL ahead of NBA draft eligibility in 2022. 
Zeng has made his NBA ambitions clear: to follow in the footsteps of Yao Ming and the other Chinese players who have played in the league.
“I really appreciate people believing in me and I’ll use that as a motivation. I’m far from being compared to the greatest Chinese players that ever played. I’m lucky enough to have someone like Yao as a pioneer,” he told ESPN. 


 











 View this post on Instagram























A post shared by Fanbo Zeng (@fanbo_zeng)



“He paved the way for Chinese players, especially players who play in the States. I can only work harder to achieve what they have achieved. It’s a huge motivation for me rather than pressure. I really hope that some day I’ll be playing in the NBA.
“Most importantly, I wish I can contribute wearing the Chinese national jersey and represent my country on a global stage. That’s the ultimate goal. I hope that I can influence Chinese basketball, and even the youth.”
Zeng was called up to his first China national team training camp last August.



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NBA (National Basketball Association)

Chinese NBA hope Zeng Fanbo picks G League Ignite over Gonzaga

Chinese basketball player Zeng Fanbo in training. The highly rated prospect has decided to sign for the G League Ignite over college hoops with Gonzaga. Photo: Fanbo Zeng/Instagram

China’s NBA hope Zeng Fanbo misses out on Hoop Summit team

The NBA logo is seen on a Spalding ball ahead of an NBA game. Photo: AFP



Philippines NBA hope Kai Sotto leaves G League Ignite

Filipino national youth team player Kai Sotto scores against Japan in 2017. Photo: Handout

Jeremy Lin to miss Kai Sotto encounter as G League Ignite face Warriors in opener

Jeremy Lin in action for the Beijing Ducks in the 2019-20 Chinese Basketball Association. Lin starts the G League season for the Santa Cruz Warriors on February 10. Photo: Xinhua

NBA G League: Jeremy Lin and Kai Sotto to play in Disney bubble

Jeremy Lin in action for the Beijing Ducks in the Chinese Basketball Association in the 2019-20 season. Photo: Xinhua

NBA G-League’s Filipino star Kai Sotto hopes to replicate Kobe Bryant and Jeremy Lin popularity in China

Jeremy Lin during his ‘Linsanity’ era, Kai Sotto training ahead of his NBA G-League Elite Team season, and Kobe Bryant during a visit to Beijing. Photos: Reuters, AP

International NBA G-League recruit Kai Sotto dreams of being the first full-blooded Filipino in the NBA. Photo: East-West Private

Kai Sotto against Japan.

Houston Rockets Yao Ming of China (L) goes up to shoot past Los Angeles Lakers Pau Gasol of Spain during the second half of their NBA game in Los Angeles, California, October 26, 2010. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASKETBALL)

(160414) -- SHENYANG, April. 14, 2016 (Xinhua) -- Students pose for group picture with a big portrait of Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers on the ground of Shenyang Sport University in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Lianing Province, April 14, 2016. Students watched the live broadcast of Kobe Bryant's last NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz at school and painted a big portrait to show their respects to the NBA legend. (Xinhua/Pan Yulong)

Sport

China


The 18-year-old confirms decision to decommit from NCAA runners-up in favour of draft prospect development squad
‘Everyone has their dream and I want to chase mine,’ he says as debate ensues over joining Ignite



‘Everyone has their dream and I want to chase mine,’ Zeng Fanbo says as debate ensues over decision to sign for Ignite’s second G League season.


CBA (Chinese Basketball Association)