That chance arrived with the ZJBA. Yan has since become the go-to star of Team Wenzhou, finally stepping into the role he was meant for. His basketball philosophy is simple:“ A ball itself doesn’t move. How much you put into it is exactly how much it gives back.”

As the ZJBA season progressed, Yan found himself in the spotlight — recognized in taxis, asked to sign jerseys, and even challenged to one-on-one games by kids. Those determined young faces remind him of his own stubborn, fearless childhood. More than winning MVP, he says, what matters most is being able to inspire the next generation.

“Only by knowing your limits can you move forward; only by seeing how far the mountain lies can you keep climbing.” That’s a line Yan once posted online. It reflects his basketball creed as well: humble at heart, relentless in spirit. And his fans believe he is still on his way to an even brighter future.