The Brooklyn Nets are continuing their commitment to China’s growing hoops scene and have signed Fanbo Zeng to an Exhibit 10 contract on Saturday, per HoopsHype insider Michael Scotto
Zeng is a three-level scorer, averaging 14.7 points (on .530-.409-.779 splits) per game for the Chinese Basketball Associations’s Beijing Ducks in 2024-25. As the Nets now have 21 players under contract, he faces an uphill battle in his efforts to be on the team’s roster for the 2025-26 season opener. It’s also worth mentioning that he’ll “miss the upcoming Asia Cup after Team China determined he has not yet recovered sufficiently to compete,” per People’s Daily, China on X. “The 22-year-old suffered a hard fall during the CBA Playoffs in April and was later diagnosed with a fractured lower vertebra.”
However, Brooklyn’s depth is weakest at power forward, which is his primary position.
Nets Start New Tradition With Fanbo Zeng Signing
The Nets adding a Chinese prospect could become tradition.
Last August, they gave young wing Jacky Cui a chance to make his mark, offering him a two-way contract. Just three months after joining Brooklyn he tore his ACL while on assignment with their G League affiliate. Prior to Cui, it had been 14 years since a Chinese player was on the roster; then the New Jersey Nets traded Yi Jianlin to the Washington Wizards. Next year, it could be 7-footer Sinan Huan, a four-star prospect with offers from programs like Florida.
Just In: The Brooklyn Nets have agreed to a deal with Fanbo Zeng, one of the best prospects in the CBA, sources told @hoopshype. The 22-year-old, 6’10” forward averaged 14.7 points on 53% from the field and 41% from 3-point range, 4.6 boards and 1.6 blocks with the Beijing Ducks. pic.twitter.com/oI2tHxuBlo
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) August 3, 2025
For right now, the focus is on Zeng and what he can provide.
What Can He Provide?
At this point, the emphasis has been on Zeng’s offensive capabilities.
Intriguing get by the Brooklyn Nets signing 🇨🇳 6’10 F Fanbo Zeng to a reported E-10 contract. The 22-year-old is highly skilled with a smooth lefty stroke (42.3% 3PT on 175 C&S 3PA, per Synergy), with the ability to play on the perimeter and attack closeouts.
High level athlete… https://t.co/YN8jiFtD7U pic.twitter.com/lhGtYOkw5B
— Workin It Hoops (@workinithoops) August 3, 2025
A fluid athlete with a functional ball-handle, he’s capable of scoring on or off-ball. He’s not overly explosive and won’t fool anyone into thinking he’s New Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson or Hall of Fame wing Vince Carter. He actually moves similarly to Nets teammate Michael Porter Jr., whose movements have been compromised by back injuries. Nonetheless, at Zeng’s size, he’s a potential mismatch weapon.
Too quick for bigs. Too big for guards. Smooth no matter what.
This is Zeng Fanbo’s data in CBA, from Hupu. pic.twitter.com/aHWxPxaUe1
— Jamxiong (@xiongzhengqing) August 3, 2025
In fact, he’s so good that his shot chart from the 2024-25 season is all but pristine. To be fair, the level of competition he faced in the CBA isn’t on the level of what he can expect in the NBA. Still, it’s certainly a sign of him being in a good rhythm.
The hope now is that it’ll carry over to training camp and beyond. If so, he could have the most successful season a Chinese player has had with the Nets since Jianlin.
© Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
