Ducks' star Zeng eyes bigger stage

Scoring a career-high 33 points in a single game and earning his first Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) "Player of the Week" honor, 22-year-old forward Zeng Fanbo, once dubbed a "3D player", is now emerging as a franchise cornerstone for the Beijing Ducks.

This season, Zeng has demonstrated increasing maturity, averaging 14.7 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game. His 33-point explosion against the Shandong Heroes — where he shot 11-of-14 from the field, including five three-pointers — showcased his refined offensive arsenal.

He followed that up with 21 points against the Sichuan Blue Whales and 25 points against the Zhejiang Golden Bulls in the next two away games, leading Beijing to five consecutive victories since the CBA's third phase began.

Zeng's leap stems from relentless offseason work. After battling injuries in his first two CBA seasons, he prioritized strength training and injury prevention.

"I've focused on building durability and polishing my shooting consistency," Zeng said.

" (National team head coach) Coach Guo Shiqiang emphasized that repetition breeds confidence, so I've taken countless shots to hone my rhythm."

Zeng's defensive tenacity, reminiscent of Chinese basketball legend Sun Yue, has become a signature. During a March 13 clash against the Qingdao Eagles, Zeng's game-sealing block and steal in the final minutes underscored his growing two-way impact.

Veteran teammate Zhai Xiaochuan, a two-time CBA champion, hailed Zeng's performance on social media, saying: "This is just the beginning for my brother; there are many more records to come."

Beijing Ducks head coach Xu Limin said: "Zeng Fanbo is very versatile. His shooting, drives, cuts, fast breaks and defensive coverage are all strengths. As long as he stays healthy and free from major injuries, I believe he will continue to improve within our system."

At February's FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers, Zeng notched 13 points and four blocks in China's 100-58 win over Japan. Zeng emphasized that wearing the national team jersey is not just an honor, but also a responsibility that demands greater effort.

"Coach Guo always emphasizes the importance of being good on both offense and defense. You have to play to your strengths, while also contributing on defense. Especially when wearing the national team jersey, you have to give 200 percent effort on the court, and fight for every defensive rebound," Zeng said.

"This year has been a significant one for me, as I officially played for the national team and got more playing time. Being on the same team as the top players in different positions from around the league has been a great learning experience. I need to stay focused and put in more effort to earn as many opportunities to train and play as possible," Zeng added.

Looking ahead to the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup, Zeng is full of anticipation.

"For me, personally, the most important thing is to stay healthy and try to make the next training squad through my performances in the third phase."

In the future, Zeng hopes to have the opportunity to test himself on a bigger stage.

"My focus is on the present — staying healthy, dominating in the CBA and contributing to the national team. But, if opportunities arise overseas, I'll chase them when the time is right," Zeng said.

XINHUA