Brooklyn Nets’ surprising signing is already impressing head coach Jordi Fernandez.
The Brooklyn Nets will have a plethora of new faces on the roster for the 2025-26 NBA season. For starters, the team had five first-round picks in the 2025 NBA Draft.
Aside from those prospects, the Nets also decided to gamble on an international prospect, Fanbo Zeng, as he signed a deal with the team during the offseason.
Photo by VCG/VCG via Getty ImagesJordi Fernandez has nothing but praise for Fanbo Zeng
So far, Zeng has gone under the radar of NBA scouts. As a result, not many anticipated the Nets adding him to their roster.
But after spending just a little time in Brooklyn, Zeng has seemingly left a solid impression on Nets head coach Jordi Fernandez.
“We’ve only had him here for a day, so we’re still getting into the process of getting to know each other, which is important for us, I think, to build that relationship,” Fernandez said during the Nets’ Media Day.
He added: “But shooting ability, positional size. Those are the things that stood out to me.”
Fernandez has also set a goal for the 22-year-old ahead of his rookie year in the NBA.
“I’m now excited to get to know him, see him fight in training camp, and go from there.”
Fanbo Zeng’s 2024-25 season stats
The Nets’ 2025-26 starting lineup will likely be a work in progress throughout the season. Zeng has a shot at impressing the coaching staff and making a place for himself.
But what should fans expect from the Chinese forward? Well, Zeng averaged 14.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game in China last season.
Considering the Chinese Basketball Association is nowhere near the NBA in terms of talent, the Nets fanbase should expect Zeng to take his time before delivering solid numbers.
Zeng’s short G-League stint is proof, as he averaged just 3.8 points, 1.4 rebounds, and 0.8 assists per game during the 2021-22 tip-off tournament.