Goodbye, CBA, four-star high school student Zhang Boyuan travels to the United States and strives for the NBA in the future

Another new star in Chinese basketball embarks on the journey of pursuing dreams overseas! 18-year-old forward genius Zhang Boyuan was supposed to represent the Shanxi Men's Basketball Team in the CBA in the 2025-26 season, but he chose to break out of his comfort zone and go to the United States to seek higher-level basketball experience.

This decision has been fully supported by the Shanxi Club. Zhang Boyuan has appeared at the California College Training Camp, competing with the Pacers' main defender Benedict Matherin and taking a photo. It is very likely to land in the NCAA field in the future and polish himself in higher intensity competition.

Zhang Boyuan was born on January 22, 2007. He is 2.03 meters tall and plays as a swingman in the third and fourth positions. He was named a four-star high school student by ON3 Sports, a well-known American scouting website, and was invited to attend the 2025 Nike Basketball Summit.

In the 2028 mock draft list released by NBA Draft Room, he was predicted to be selected with the 30th pick in the first round. The young forward shined in the just-concluded U19 World Cup, averaging 14.7 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game. Except for only 2 points against Germany, all scored in double digits in the rest of the game, with 20+ in three games, showing outstanding scoring explosiveness.

Zhang Boyuan has a rich offensive arsenal. Whether it is a jump shot or an emergency stop or a long-distance shot after a dribble, he also has a certain ability to break through the ball with a ball. His athletic talent is the best among Asian players.

If we can further improve our defensive awareness and horizontal movement speed in the United States, we will have a chance to open the NBA door as a high-quality 3D wing in the future and become the new answer to the Chinese men's basketball forward line.

Zhang Boyuan is not an isolated case. Chinese basketball is ushering in an unprecedented wave of overseas visits - young talents such as Xun Sinan, who averaged 5 blocks per game in the U19 World Cup (the 14th pick in the first round of the 2028 forecast), Wang Junjie (University of San Francisco), who has become the main player of the Chinese men's basketball team, and Zhao Weilun, who is about to compete in the NCAA, are all working hard in overseas leagues.

And Yang Hansen's successful case of being selected by the Trail Blazers with the 16th pick in the first round this year has become a benchmark for inspiring latecomers. However, the real "pioneer" Cui Yongxi is also worth remembering - last summer, he counterattacked and won the Nets' two-way contract when generally unpopular, proving the infinite possibilities of Chinese players with his strength.

For Zhang Boyuan, NCAA will be the touchstone for testing quality. Compared with the CBA, American university basketball emphasizes physical confrontation and tactical execution, which is the link he urgently needs to improve. If he can adapt to the rhythm and continue to make progress, this four-star high school student has a chance to replicate Yang Hansen's success and even go further.

The future of Chinese basketball is being written by these brave young people who pursue their dreams!