On the courts of the ZJBA, center Yu Dezhang of Team Wenzhou is a true force to be reckoned with. Standing tall with long arms, carrying serious size, and bringing explosive power on every play, he is the kind of player that fans of rival teams can only dream about having on their roster. They watch him dominate and can’t help but feel envious. This impact player, however, has only been on the court for three years. Such natural gifts combined with tireless work have turned him into one of the ZJBA’s rising stars.

◎ A Heavy Rain That Changed Everything

Yu Dezhang goes by“ Zhuangzhuang” among Wenzhou fans, who address him like their own nephew, reflecting how beloved he is locally. Yu himself has embraced the name wholeheartedly. It comes from his hairstyle, which resembles that of the character“ Zhuangzhuang’s Mom” from“ Big Ear Tutu”, a Chinese cartoon that kids grow up watching.

Yu was identified from a young age by teachers as a natural athlete. Tall and powerful, before entering his junior year of high school, he had already spent six years specializing in shot put, a power-based track and field event.

In this sport demanding both strength and technique, he was no slouch, capturing the shot put championship at the Pingyang County level and finishing second at the Wenzhou City level in high school athletics competitions. His shot put training blessed him with a powerful core and explosive burst, qualities that would become unique advantages in his basketball journey to come.

It was three years ago that Zhuangzhuang’s path took an unexpected turn. A heavy downpour forced him, who had planned to take the high school athletic specialty entrance exam for shot put, to take shelter in a basketball gym that would change his life.

Standing courtside, his towering frame immediately caught the eye of Hu Zhiwei, the basketball coach at Pingyang Vocational Education Center. Coach Hu had already wrapped up his recruitment, but seeing Yu’s potential, he made an exception and challenged the young prospect to test his vertical reach. Yu leaped with all his might and incredibly touched 3.3 meters (about 10’10”). The talent-hungry coach immediately decided to keep him on the basketball team.