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Mike Chan

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.
“I think I read the game better now, and my body is better built too,” he said. “But I am going to focus on training, and I still want to be better.”
In the Nets’ victorious pre-season opener against Israeli side Hapoel, head coach Jordi Fernandez called on 17 players, but Zeng was left out. He still said he had enjoyed every moment since joining.
“The coach had told me about the rotations,” Zeng said. “Throughout the summer, in terms of my rehabilitation and since I came to the team, I felt that I enjoyed and cherished it very much.”
He added: “It takes time to hone your skills and become the best version of yourself ... I think I can grow more through competition and various failure experiences.”
The last time NBA pre-season games were played in China was in October 2019, when the Nets beat the Los Angeles Lakers twice in three days. Zeng said he was privileged to be a part of the league’s return, and praised the host city, Macau.
“Here is just like Las Vegas in the United States, it’s very clean and prosperous, very suitable for travelling and playing here with your family,” the Harbin native said.
“I feel very lucky to be a part of such a major event, and I’m looking forward to the moment I get on the court. I will do my best to help the team in any way I can.
“I’m also very grateful for everyone’s support and encouragement. I hope I can repay the fans with a positive impact.”
The Nets are owned by Joe Tsai, the chairman of Alibaba Group, which owns the South China Morning Post.


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Basketball

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‘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


‘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.


NBA China games

Zeng Fanbo

NBA China Games 2025: Zeng Fanbo eyes ‘positive impact’ for Brooklyn Nets in Macau

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}‘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

‘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