33 prospect in the ESPN Class of 2022, has committed to play college basketball at Gonzaga, he told ESPN on Saturday. You have come to the Philippines Edition, for other ESPN editions, click here. 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. 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. Here's why you should keep an eye on the Chinese forward ahead of the 2022-23 season. "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. According to ESPN, the power forward checks in at 6-foot-11 and 198 pounds. A playmaker with size who has range as well. I already can't wait to join.". I can only work harder to achieve what they have achieved. I'm far from being compared to the greatest Chinese players that ever played. "Gonzaga is a very successful program with great people -- coaches, staff, players and all the fans," Zeng told ESPN. He downplayed comparisons to former Chinese NBA players. Learn more about Fanbo Zeng as he returns to the U.S. from China to play for NBA G League Ignite. Fanbo Zeng ( Chinese: ; born January 11, 2003) is a Chinese professional basketball player for the Beijing Ducks of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA). That's the ultimate goal. On the court, I see myself as a skilled, athletic and smart perimeter player. I'm lucky enough to have someone like Yao [Ming] as a pioneer. 41: Pelicans: Kennedy Chandler: PG - Tennessee - HT: 6-0 1/2 - WT: 172 - WING: 6-5 1/4 - Fr - A bit undersized but plays bigger than his size and has big time athleticism. He arrived in the United States from China in 2017 as a 14-year-old, establishing himself as one of the top players in his class with a strong sophomore season at Windermere Prep high school outside Orlando, Florida, averaging 15.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.6 blocks and 2.1 assists per game last season. Growing 2 inches has helped me jump higher and improve my defense and rebounding.". 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. "Everyone in China paid attention to Ignite last year," Zeng said. Zeng has an opportunity to put his tools on display for a Pacers team that has some opportunities in the front court, especially with T.J. Warren no longer in Indiana and the trade rumors that surround center Myles Turner. Jalen Duren Montverde Academy . At the time of his most . Also, just to develop overall. "I really appreciate people believing in me, and I'll use that as a motivation. "Big man on campus: Fanbo Zeng brings A-game to Windermere Prep", "Fanbo Zeng is big missing piece for Windermere Prep basketball", "Fanbo Zeng of Windermere Prep is 3A basketball All-State", "Windermere Prep basketball's Fanbo Zeng quarantined in China", "Orlando area high school boys basketball season preview", "Top Chinese prospect Fanbo Zeng picks G League Ignite over Gonzaga: Sources", "Fanbo Zeng, the No. Gonzaga has had significant success throughout the years with international players, which Zeng said played an important role in his decision. He says he has grown 2 inches in the past 18 months and now stands 6-foot-11, while weighing 198 pounds. "In high school, I defended everyone: guards, forwards and even big men. Hawks Fire Nate McMillan. 33 prospect in the ESPN Class of 2022, has committed to play college basketball at Gonzaga, he told ESPN on Saturday. Fanbo Zeng, an NBA prospect from China, has signed to play with the NBA G League Ignite. ", Richard Lapchick | Contributing Writer, ESPN.com, Zags and Zeng: Touted recruit chooses Gonzaga, College softball rankings: The top 25 teams in the NCAA this week, Previewing the 2023 college softball season: Players you need to watch, key storylines and WCWS predictions. [2] For his freshman year of high school, Zeng moved to the United States, enrolling at Windermere Preparatory School in Windermere, Florida. . NIL, legal threats among issues for new NCAA boss, Tennessee coach Vitello to return after suspension, No. "It's very, very important to have coaches who understand different cultures and can guide me through this process.". I need to keep working on getting stronger. I'm far from being compared to the greatest Chinese players that ever played. Which I'm sure it will be a blessing to train with some of the best coaches and teammates.". "He's a great passer who can handle it as well. He really showed me what the program is about and how I'd fit perfectly at Gonzaga. 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. "It's very, very important to have coaches who understand different cultures and can guide me through this process.". As the only Chinese player on the list, Zeng ranked 4th in Florida and 10th in the power forward position. He excels in transition and can really fly above the rim and throw down some nasty dunks. Top Chinese prospect Zeng joins G League Ignite, NBA Power Rankings: Kevin Durant's return could rock the West, V. Bryant settles crash photos suit for $28.85M, Sources: Lakers to reassess LeBron in 2 weeks, Irving: Need to scale back self-imposed pressure, Jokic sixth player in 100 career triple-double club, Driven Giannis 'OK' if people take him for granted, Durant to debut for Suns on Wed. vs. Hornets, Pels say injured Zion progressing, set for imaging, What NBA Finals runs from LeBron, Giannis can teach Jayson Tatum, Meet the man scouring Nigeria for the next generation of NBA and NFL talent, Waiver wire pickups: Look to Malik Monk, Kevon Looney, Virus forces Mexico City G League team to Texas. [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. He spent two years at. "I really appreciate people believing in me, and I'll use that as a motivation. After initially committing to play collegiately at Gonzaga University, Zeng changed course, signing with G League Ignite in the Spring of 2021. "He's a great passer who can handle it as well. Also, just to develop overall. Fanbo Zeng was once a top ranked high school prospect. Japanese forward Rui Hachimura was the No. Theoretically, these abilities should enable him to fit today's . /CCTV-5. Zeng arrived at the G League Ignite practice facility in Walnut Creek, California, last week and will be cleared soon for live action. I need to keep working on getting stronger. 6-9, 205 | Class of 2021 . Physically hes got great tools to work with and a lot of upside to grow into. April 24, 2021 3:43 pm ET. 1. But I must work extremely hard to have a great career and accomplishments. Fanbo Zeng, the No. A native of Harbin, China, Fanbo was among ESPN's top-ranked forwards in the class of 2022. Though Zeng is only 19 years old, his story of fighting overseas to join an NBA team is already known to many in . According to The Athletic's Shams Charania, the Ignite will sign Fanbo Zeng, a 6-foot-10 forward that . 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. That's one of the important goals I have at Gonzaga. 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. That was definitely very important to me throughout the recruiting process. Fans can get a glimpse at the players,. I had to finish high school back in my hometown. Weight 200. Fanbo Zeng, China's top basketball prospect, is decommitting from Gonzaga and planning to join the NBA G League Ignite, sources tell The Athletic's Shams Charania. Inside NBA G League's developmental program, NBA Draft grades 2022: Ranking all 30 teams on draft night, NBA Two-Way contracts, explained: Tracking undrafted player signings. 33 prospect in the ESPN class of 2022, has signed with the G League Ignite program and will declare for the 2022 NBA draft. That was definitely very important to me throughout the recruiting process. 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. ", Richard Lapchick | Contributing Writer, ESPN.com, Zags and Zeng: Touted recruit chooses Gonzaga, College softball rankings: The top 25 teams in the NCAA this week, Previewing the 2023 college softball season: Players you need to watch, key storylines and WCWS predictions. Rank Player Pos Ht / Wt Rating Team. What's going to separate him is he's got a humility about him. At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March, Zeng, like many U.S.-based international players, elected to return home. I can only work harder to achieve what they have achieved. I'm far from being compared to the greatest Chinese players that ever played. Top Performance: Fanbo's game against the Santa Cruz Warriors in the season finale showcased his potential and status as a top international prospect. Verbal Commits - Fanbo Zeng Player Profile: Rankings, Stars, Video Highlights, Offers, Tweets, Height, Weight, High School, Position, Hometown On the court, I see myself as a skilled, athletic and smart perimeter player. Jonathan Givony is an NBA draft expert and the founder and co-owner of DraftExpress.com, a private scouting and analytics service utilized by NBA, NCAA and International teams. "They love it. He spent two years at Windermere Prep in Florida before returning to China in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 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. It's a huge motivation for me rather than pressure. Fanbo Zeng - 6-9 - G League Ignite (China) Landers Nolley II - 6-7 - Memphis Keyontae Johnson - 6-5 - Florida Gmail Player Search Featured Posts Re-Draft of the 2022 NBA Draft, Top 20 - 2 Months Into The Season My Guys - Prospects I'm Irrationally High On In The 2023 Draft 2023 NBA Draft Big Board - Early Season Edition "They've had many significant examples of developing international players. "LeBron is the GOAT," said Fanbo Zeng, a 6-foot-11, 197-pound combo forward who recently de-committed from Gonzaga to sign with NBA G League Ignite a developmental team created last year to. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale. He said he will look to reclassify to 2021 and enroll at the school next summer. Ignite also has 17-year old Scoot Henderson, arguably the top American prospect in the 2023 NBA draft class, in the fold for the next two years. Rankings Note: Rankings data shown based on latest ESPN Rankings released on N/A, Scout Rankings released on N/A, and Rivals Rankings released on N/A. 2022 Fantasy Outlook. Zeng signed a contract with the Beijing Ducks of the Chinese Basketball Association earlier this offseason after previously agreeing to an Exhibit 10 . 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. [9][10] On June 25th, 2022, Fanbo Zeng signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Indiana Pacers. Fanbo joined Ignite as one of the worlds top youth prospects, ranked as one of the top forwards and 33rd overall by ESPN in the class of 2022. "Most importantly, I wish I can contribute wearing the Chinese national jersey and represent my country on a global stage. There was no outlook written for Fanbo Zeng in 2022. Lack of diversity within collegiate sports leadership continues, Baylor sits at No. Though he struggled to find a role on the Ignite's roster this past season, Zeng showed enough flashes to gain an opportunity with Indiana this offseason. Fanbo Zeng is a skilled forward prospect with good size for the position at 6-foot-8 with excellent hands and touch. "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. Zeng Fanbo of Windermere Preparatory School handles the ball in the game. I really hope that someday I'll be playing in the NBA. Oct 17, 2022 at 10:26 am ET 1 min read. Fanbo Zeng, the No. 2022 Sports Phenoms, Inc., All Rights Reserved | This site has no affiliation with the National Basketball Association | Website by SOF, Inc. "It's been difficult for the entire world," Zeng said. He attended the first training session with the team on Friday and drew attention from a lot of reporters. So, it had a pretty big impact, but at the same time showed me more options.". WALNUT CREEK, Calif. - Fanbo Zeng, a top international prospect from China, has signed to play with NBA G League Ignite, NBA G League President Shareef Abdur-Rahim announced today. In fact, some labeled him as the best Chinese prospect since Yao Ming. So, it had a pretty big impact, but at the same time showed me more options.". Your default site has been set for 7 days, Who is Fanbo Zeng? His highlights from the game also include an outstanding and-1 and powerful block. Dyson Daniels, Jaden Hardy, MarJon Beauchamp, Michael Foster Jr. and Fanbo Zeng are Ignite draft prospects. The lefty has a smooth stroke and is a plus-shooter from three, primarily off. [Assistant] coach Tommy Lloyd has been taking such a great care of the athletes that came from overseas. What's going to separate him is he's got a humility about him. Jaden Hardy enters the game for Fanbo Zeng: 27: 24: 1:06: MarJon . "My family always teaches me to be a great person before everything," Zeng said. The NBA G League is the NBA's official minor league. 9 pick in the 2019 NBA draft; Lithuanian big man and fellow former Zag Domantas Sabonis was selected No. But I must work extremely hard to have a great career and accomplishments. Gilbert McGregor is an NBA content producer for The Sporting News. It's a huge motivation for me rather than pressure. Copyright 2023 Sporting News Holdings Limited. At 6-9 Zeng is a skilled ball handler and passer with a good feel for the game. He downplayed comparisons to former Chinese NBA players. 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