When a 22-year-old forward who went undrafted three years ago suddenly becomes one of the most sought-after international prospects, there’s usually a story worth telling. For Fanbo Zeng, that story began in the CBA, where he transformed from an overlooked draft prospect into a legitimate NBA talent. Now the Brooklyn Nets are betting they can complete his journey back to the league that initially passed on him.
The Nets have reportedly signed Zeng, a highly touted prospect from the CBA. Notably, Zeng went undrafted in the 2022 NBA draft. A four-star recruit out of high school, the forward committed to play for the Gonzaga Bulldogs before decommitting to play for the now-defunct NBA G-League Ignite in October 2021.
In June 2022, Zeng signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Indiana Pacers before joining the Beijing Ducks of the CBA, where he enjoyed his best success.
What Does Fanbo Zeng Bring to the Brooklyn Nets?
Zeng is a pure left-handed shooter with potential to be a knockdown three-point shooter, especially from the corners. In the CBA, Zeng averaged 14.7 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks per game. Notably, he shot 53 percent from the field and 41 percent from behind the arc.
The 22-year-old excels in transition with explosive dunks and vertical pop. Additionally, he has solid shot-blocking ability. Despite his big frame at 6-feet-10-inches, Zeng is a capable ball-handler. His smooth passing skills enable him to play both small and power forward positions.
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
Another notable characteristic of Zeng is his unselfish play. He has a knack for cutting along the baseline and making winning plays. However, he can be too passive offensively at times.
On the other hand, the forward needs to add strength to handle NBA physicality and improve his scoring against tight defense. He can be foul-prone despite being a good shot-blocker. Zeng will also need to improve his lateral movement to guard smaller players effectively.
How Do the Nets’ International Signings Fit Their Rebuild?
The Nets made history in the 2025 NBA draft by using all five of their first-round picks. No team in history has made that many selections in the first round. Notably, three of those five were non-US citizens.
At number eight, the Nets selected Egor Demin, a 6-foot-9-inch playmaking guard from the BYU Cougars. He is Russian and known for his exceptional passing and versatility, which allow him to orchestrate plays and impact both ends of the court.
With their number 19 pick, the Nets drafted Nolan Traoré, a 6-foot-5-inch point guard from France. The 19-year-old is highly valued for his playmaking ability and vision.
With the number 26 pick, Brooklyn selected Ben Saraf, an Israeli point guard noted for his high basketball IQ. This makes him a candidate to be the Nets’ floor general in the future.
The Nets’ upcoming season outlook is centered on a full-scale rebuild. Their five first-round draft picks from the 2025 NBA draft and the reported signing of Zeng signal a youth-driven, developmental approach that emphasizes international talent and long-term potential over immediate impact.
