Rongzhen Zhu, 7'0, Center, Shandong, 1999
Strengths
-Good size for a center at around 7'0. Solid frame, especially in the lower body
-Fairly mobile for his size. Runs the floor well
-Shows some potential operating with his back to the basket. Decent footwork.
-Good hands and body control as a finisher. Very effective as a pick and roll finisher and off cuts. Can catch and finish on the move while in full stride.
-Strong rebounder. 16.5 rebounds per-40 at the U17s. 15.9 career.
-Blocks shots using his size and mobility. Career 3.4 per-40
-Has soft touch. Career 71% from the free throw line. Will hit an occasional mid-range jumper, even banking them off the glass
Weaknesses
-Has average length
-Lacks a degree of explosiveness. Struggles to power up in traffic off two feet. Gets his shot blocked more often than you'd like. Misses some good looks around the basket
-Not an efficient offensive player. Shot just 42% from 2-point range at the U17s. 46% at Albert Schweitzer Tournament.
-Very right hand dominant. Struggles when forced to turn over right shoulder
-Doesn't quite know his limitations offensively. Somewhat predictable. Tries to force the issue at times.
-Motor, intensity level comes and goes. Doesn't always display the kind of mean streak you want to see from your big man
Outlook Productive Chinese center who had strong showings at both the U17 World Championship at the Albert Schweitzer Tournament (where he played up a year). Not exceptionally talented or gifted physically beyond his height, but has a fairly well rounded set of skills and should, at the very least, develop into a solid player for the CBA and senior national team.
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