The past, present, and future of Chinese Players in the NBL
August 4, 2022
Yan Peng
- Nationality: CHN
- Date of Birth: 06/01/1996
- Place of Birth: Bozhou, Anhui (China)
- Position: FRD
- Height (CM): 197
- Weight (KG): 92
- Junior Assoc:
- College: None
NBL CAREER OVERVIEW
NBL DEBUT
21/01/17
Age 21
LAST NBL GAME
21/01/17
Age 21
TEAM HISTORY
- Brisbane Bullets2017
CHAMPIONSHIPS
NoneBIO: Yan Peng was born in Bozhou, Anhui (China).
NBL EXPERIENCE
Yan Peng made his NBL debut with the Brisbane Bullets at 21 years of age. He went scoreless in his first NBL game.
Brisbane returned to the NBL in 2016/17 after an eight-year absence, appointing Australian national-team coach Andrej Lemanis to lead the revived club. Adam Gibson, Daniel Kickert, Torrey Craig, Tom Jervis, Shaun Bruce, Reuben Te Rangi, Mitchell Young and Jarred Bairstow were among the players who represented the Bullets during the season.
On 26 October 2016, Brisbane added Chinese forwards Yan Peng and Wang Tong to its development-player group as part of a talent exchange with the Shanghai Sharks. The pair had been chosen for the Australian placement by Brian Goorjian, the former Australian Boomers and NBL championship coach, who was working with Shanghai at the time. Brisbane’s coaching staff intended to assess their progress and provide experience of NBL training and competition. The signing also followed wider cooperation between Australian and Chinese basketball, including NBL broadcasts into China and Chinese clubs participating in the Australian preseason tournament.
Peng was born in Bozhou in China’s Anhui province and had joined the Shanghai Sharks’ youth system for trials in 2010. In 2012, he represented Shanghai when its under-16 side won the Chinese national youth championship. He later progressed through Shanghai’s youth development programme before being selected for the placement with Brisbane as a 20-year-old in October 2016.
Peng made his only NBL appearance against Melbourne United at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre on 21 January 2017. He entered for the final 21 seconds, wearing Brisbane’s colours alongside fellow Chinese development player Wang Tong, and finished with no points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks, field-goal attempts or free-throw attempts. The Bullets won 88–71, with Torrey Craig (24 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals and a block) and Daniel Kickert (24 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, a steal and a block) leading the home side. Jeremy Kendle (12 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists), Shaun Bruce (11 points and 4 assists) and Tom Jervis (11 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists) also contributed. Casper Ware (27 points and 4 assists) led Melbourne, supported by Chris Goulding (17 points).
The victory raised Brisbane’s record to 10–14, but the Bullets lost their remaining four matches to Sydney, Cairns, Perth and Illawarra, finishing eighth and last with a 10–18 record. Brisbane did not qualify for the playoffs. Peng returned to Shanghai after the Australian placement and went on to play in the Chinese Basketball Association before developing a substantial career in international three-on-three basketball.
Yan Peng played in one NBL game during the 2016-17 season, scoring 0 points, 0 rebounds, and 0 assists.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Yan Peng – Australia v China, FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup Final (30 March 2025)
Yan Peng – Full 2025 FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup championship game
NBL TOTAL STATISTICS
| SEASON | AGE | TEAM | TEAM RECORD | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016-17 | 21 | Brisbane | 10-18 (8) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0% | 0 | Totals | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% | 0 | 0 | 0.0% | 0 | 0 | 0.0% | 0% | 0% | 0 |
NBL PER GAME STATISTICS
| SEASON | AGE | TEAM | TEAM RECORD | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016-17 | 21 | Brisbane | 10-18 (8) | 1 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0% | 0 | Total | 1 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0% | 0% | 0 |
CAREER HIGHS
| POINTS | REBOUNDS | ASSISTS | STEALS | BLOCKS | TURNOVERS | TRIPLE DOUBLES | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|---|
FIBA EXPERIENCE
Peng represented Shanghai in the mens three-on-three competition at the 2017 Chinese National Games, finishing runner-up. The development of Chinas domestic 3x3 programme later provided him with a pathway to senior national-team selection.
2021 – Tokyo Olympic Games
Peng was selected to Chinas four-man squad for the mens 3x3 basketball tournament at the Tokyo Olympic Games, held in July 2021 after being postponed from 2020. He joined Hu Jinqiu, Gao Shiyan and Li Haonan, wearing number 0. China finished eighth with a 2–5 record and did not qualify for the knockout rounds. Peng appeared in all seven games and averaged 3.1 points, with six made one-point baskets, seven made two-point shots and two free throws (22 points in total) across the tournament.
Chinas two Olympic victories came on 26 July. The team defeated Belgium 21–20 and followed with a 21–19 win over Poland, with Peng hitting a decisive long-range two-pointer against the Polish side. Hu Jinqiu led China against Poland with 12 points and 10 rebounds. China subsequently lost 21–16 to host nation Japan in its final group game and missed the knockout stage.
2021 – Chinese National Games
Following the Olympics, Peng was part of the combined Olympic team that won the mens 3x3 gold medal at the 14th National Games in Xian, defeating Guangdong 21–12 in the final in September.
2022 – FIBA 3x3 World Cup
Peng represented China at the FIBA 3x3 World Cup in Antwerp. China did not progress from its pool, including a 19–15 defeat to Poland on 24 June, and finished 17th overall.
2023 – FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup
China reached the semi-finals in Singapore but lost 18–17 to Australia, then lost the third-place game 21–13 to New Zealand to finish fourth. Peng was among the Chinese players competing on the international 3x3 circuit through the period.
2024 – FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup
Peng represented China at the Asia Cup in Singapore, including a 21–15 pool victory over hosts Singapore on 30 March. China was eliminated in the quarter-finals after a 21–15 defeat to Australia.
2025 – FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup
China selected Peng alongside Guo Hanyu, Xiang Zhichao and Zhang Dianliang for the Asia Cup in Singapore. The team defeated Chinese Taipei 21–10 and India 21–19 in the pool, Qatar 19–11 in the quarter-final and Japan 19–15 in the semi-final. China narrowly lost the championship game 21–19 to Australia on 30 March, winning the silver medal and recording its best-ever finish in the mens tournament. Peng was one of Chinas featured players alongside Guo Hanyu and played in the final against Australia.
2026 – Asian Beach Games
Peng was named as one of Chinas two flagbearers for the opening ceremony of the sixth Asian Beach Games in Sanya, Hainan, alongside womens beach handball player Shen Ping. He competed on the host nations mens 3x3 side with Luo Xudong, Ma Diancheng and Qi Haotong. China lost its semi-final 18–16 to eventual champions Qatar before beating the Philippines 21–13 in the bronze-medal game on 29 April. Peng earned another international bronze medal, and he remained active with Chinas national 3x3 programme as of 2026.
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE
-
China
- Shanghai Sharks2017–2022
- Shanghai Juss 3x32022–2025
After returning from Brisbane, Peng moved into the Shanghai Sharks senior team for the 2017/18 Chinese Basketball Association season following earlier service in its youth programme. He was registered with the main squad but did not record a regular-season appearance in that first season.
2018/19 – Shanghai Sharks
Peng established a rotation role with Shanghai in 24 CBA games, averaging 5.0 points, 3.0 rebounds and 0.8 assists in 19.5 minutes per game. He made approximately 40 percent of his three-point attempts as a wing and forward.
2019/20 – Shanghai Sharks
He appeared in 29 CBA games and averaged 5.8 points, 2.6 rebounds and 0.6 assists in 16.2 minutes. His three-point shooting was a feature of the campaign, with 1.2 made three-pointers per game at approximately 41 percent. On 19 July 2020 against Jilin, Peng produced his CBA career-high 26 points and 11 rebounds, playing 42 minutes; he also recorded four steals.
2020/21 – Shanghai Sharks
Peng played 24 games, averaging 3.8 points, 1.3 rebounds and 0.6 assists in 11.5 minutes per outing as Shanghai reduced his five-on-five opportunities. Alongside his CBA commitments, he increasingly pursued three-on-three basketball, representing China at the Tokyo Olympic Games in 2021.
2021/22 – Shanghai Sharks
Peng made three CBA appearances, averaging 3.3 points, 1.0 rebound and 1.7 assists in 14 minutes. In August 2021, Shanghai re-signed him to a one-year B-category player contract. By the end of the campaign he was preparing to concentrate more fully on the professional Chinese 3x3 circuit.
2022 – Shanghai Juss 3x3
On 5 May 2022, the Shanghai Juss Sharks organisation formally announced the establishment of a mens professional three-on-three team, naming Peng to a squad led by coach Tang Tao. At the 2022 Chinese 3x3 Super League finals, Shanghai beat Ningbo 22–12 in the quarter-final as Peng recorded 8 points and 3 rebounds. He scored 7 points in a 22–17 semi-final victory over Changzhou and 4 points and 5 rebounds in a 16–15 loss to Shanghai Hengsha Yumin in the final. Juss finished the leagues inaugural full season as runner-up.
2023 – Shanghai Juss 3x3
Shanghai Juss captured the Chinese Mens 3x3 Super League championship on 11 November, defeating Shanghai Hengsha Yumin 22–20 in the final after eliminating Guangxi 22–12 in the quarter-final and Shanghai Shangshi 21–17 in the semi-final. The championship was part of Pengs broader transition away from the five-on-five CBA league and into professional 3x3 basketball.
2024 – Shanghai Juss 3x3
Shanghai again reached the Super League final in Xiamen on 10 November but lost 21–15 to Shanghai Hengsha Yumin, finishing as runner-up. The club had beaten Guangdong 21–11 in the quarter-final and Huzhou 21–19 in the semi-final.
2025 – Shanghai Juss 3x3
Peng helped Shanghai reclaim the Chinese 3x3 Super League championship in October, defeating Guangdong Baoan 21–15 in the final. He scored 7 points in the deciding match, including three long-range two-pointers and a basket inside the arc. The title provided a further major club achievement for the former Shanghai Sharks forward, who remained active on the national and international 3x3 circuits through 2026.
AWARDS
- 2012 Chinese Under-16 National Champion (Shanghai youth team)
- 2017 Chinese National Games men's 3x3 silver medal (Shanghai)
- 2021 Chinese National Games men's 3x3 gold medal (combined Olympic team)
- 2022 Chinese Men's 3x3 Super League runner-up (Shanghai Juss)
- 2023 Chinese Men's 3x3 Super League champion (Shanghai Juss)
- 2024 Chinese Men's 3x3 Super League runner-up (Shanghai Juss)
- 2025 FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup silver medal (China)
- 2025 Chinese Men's 3x3 Super League champion (Shanghai Juss)
- 2025 Chinese National Games men's 3x3 gold medal
- 2026 Asian Beach Games men's 3x3 bronze medal (China)
- 2026 Asian Beach Games Chinese delegation opening-ceremony flagbearer
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