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.

Since then, Coach Hu trained him hands-on, launching Yu Dezhang’s basketball career. As Hu recalls, when Yu first joined team practices, he couldn’t even grip a basketball properly. But he was willing to work hard and figure things out, which made every step of his improvement massive.

Therefore, Yu brought his talent to basketball, and the transition came remarkably quick. Standing tall with a 6’10” wingspan and explosive power honed from shot put, he possessed a rare physical package. These advantages allowed him to quickly carve out his role in the paint. The results speak for themselves. In just three years, he helped his high school team secure second place in the Wenzhou City advanced division, then led his college squad to claim the provincial championship in their division. His rapid rise earned him a reputation as a“ freak of nature.”

◎ Grateful and Ready to Seize Opportunities

Yu is not sure if his talent is truly exceptional. He just knows that when the opportunity comes, he has to grab it. While other kids his age were enjoying the safety net of family support, young Yu was already helping to support his own education. During his high school years, he would take on part-time teaching assistant work during breaks, earning just 50 yuan (about $7) per session. This experience taught him how hard it was to earn a living, making him even more determined to change his destiny through his own efforts. Basketball was perhaps the only lifeline he could grasp at the time.

The basketball courts are not short on talent. He could only outwork others, put in extra practice, and convert his natural gifts into life-changing power.

Finally, on the stage of ZJBA, this 20-year-old has made a name for himself. He can not only support himself financially but has won the affection of his hometown folks. “I was just an ordinary kid growing up. People didn’t think I had much going for me, but basketball has put me in the spotlight. People like me now. I’ve become that model child parents always reference.” Now, when he walks down the street, people often recognize him and call out“ Zhuangzhuang”. That feeling of being acknowledged gives him a sense of belonging and pride. Even more touching, when he injured his foot, hometown fans from Pingyang County would bring him beef tendons and other supplements, expressing their love for their hero through the simple folk wisdom of“ eating what heals what you need”.

On November 21, 2025, in an away game against J iaxing City, Yu Dezhang put on an outstanding performance and was named MVP. Without even time for a post-game interview, he rushed overnight to Chuzhou City, Anhui Province, to compete in the National College Track and Field Championship, where he took gold in shot put and bronze in discus in his division, adding even more shine to his already impressive record.

Talent needs to be discovered, but only hard work can make it life-changing. Yu Dezhang, this self-made big man, is breaking through barriers to forge his new path.