The Brooklyn Nets have significantly bolstered their roster for the upcoming 2025-26 NBA season, securing a deal with highly touted Chinese prospect Fanbo Zeng. This strategic acquisition underscores the team’s commitment to global talent scouting and building a versatile, future-oriented squad.

According to reports from HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto, the agreement brings Fanbo Zeng, a promising young big man, into the Nets’ fold. While the specific financial terms of the deal remain undisclosed, the move signals a notable addition to Brooklyn’s burgeoning international contingent.

Fanbo Zeng, at 22 years old, has distinguished himself as one of the standout young talents in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) over recent seasons. His performance with the Beijing Ducks last year was particularly impressive, where he averaged 14.7 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks across 37 games.

Standing at 6’10”, Fanbo Zeng brings a valuable combination of size and shooting prowess, boasting a career shooting clip of nearly 40% from beyond the arc. This makes him a versatile stretch big man capable of effectively protecting the rim, a skillset highly coveted in the modern NBA.

Zeng’s arrival aligns with Brooklyn’s apparent strategy of integrating diverse international talent. The team has recently added other foreign-born prospects, including Egor Demin and Nolan Traore from the 2025 NBA Draft, alongside Ben Seraf and Danny Wolf, who have represented Israel internationally, further shaping the Nets Roster.

The addition of Fanbo Zeng brings the Brooklyn Nets’ current roster count to 20 players. While NBA teams are permitted to carry up to 21 players during the offseason, the main roster must be trimmed to 15 once the regular season commences. Zeng could also be a candidate for one of the team’s three two-way roster spots.

Fanbo Zeng previously spent time in the United States, participating in the now-defunct G League Ignite program during their 2021-22 season. During his stint, he averaged 5.0 points and 2.2 rebounds over 19 games before returning to China after going undrafted in 2022. This prior experience could aid his transition back to the American professional basketball landscape and make him one of the key NBA Prospects.

This acquisition reflects the Brooklyn Nets’ strategic foresight, investing in young, international talent with significant upside. Fanbo Zeng’s development will be closely watched as he aims to make an impact on the team’s roster and contribute to their long-term competitive aspirations in the NBA.