In the final of the CUBAL finals, the Heyuan team once said–

“Lore” Tsinghua University team, these days like dreaming!

Zeng Yucheng, who sat in front of the reporter’s interview, was speechless. When answering questions, he often stared at the desktop with his eyes fixed and his hands rubbed gently all the time. His slightly nervous expression was beyond words, it seems to be out of line with the “big heart” of Guangdong Industrial University team, who finished lore in the CUBAL finals. However, when the topic chat and the memory were enough to put the opponent in the “dead place” and the “downtown” cast by against the blade of honor, Zeng Yucheng smiled happily, although he was still shy, but laughter was confident enough, “at that moment, my eyes were only rim”.

Lore, you will know that you can enter

Almost a week has passed since the ups and downs and the passionate CUBAL finals, but Zeng Cheng’s mind still recalls every minute and second of the game from time to time.

“These days are like dreaming”, Zeng Yucheng smiled and shook his head gently. The previously unknown grassroots player became famous because of this game, because of the lore who almost decided to win or lose. This sudden honor and attention made the 21-year-old young man feel at a loss, “When we returned to the campus of Guangdong University of Technology, the endless sea of people who welcomed us was so shocking that I never thought there would be such a situation”.

The topic returned to the finals. “There were more than 4 minutes left in the game, and we were still behind. At that time, I thought it might be ‘cool’.” When Zeng Jiancheng recalled the reason of plot twist, he put “unity, confidence, don’t give up comes down to the most important factor. “At that time, some teammates on the court were fouled four times, some were injured, and some legs began to cramp, but we did not give up”.

It was this spirit of never giving up that made the Guanggong team difficult to narrow the score difference to that moment-11 seconds left in the game, Zeng Jiancheng invested the three points that were enough to be recorded in CUBAL history.

“At that time, I was very excited to play, and the coach always trusted me and left me on the court.” Zeng Yicheng revealed that this ball was not the coach’s arrangement, “In fact, there was a problem with our cooperation, and we almost made a mistake. The Attack time was approaching when the ball was thrown into my hand. When I received the ball, I only had Rim in my eyes. When I felt it, I quickly shot it. When the ball left my hand, I knew I could definitely enter “.

Zeng Yicheng said that the 45-degree three-point shooting is his own strength, and it is also this position that he can practice most at ordinary times. “The moment the ball was hollow into the basket, it was so cool! I glanced at brother long (head coach Yu Guanglong). He was so excited that he danced and smiled a little deformed. I have never seen him so excited “.

“Do you still dare to give you such a chance?” “Of course I dare,” Zeng Yicheng said gently, “I just dare not guarantee that I can still enter.”

Learn to shoot, can’t learn from the library

Zeng Jiancheng’s basketball experience was very simple. He began to learn to play basketball in junior high school. At the age of 14, he was selected by Dongguan No. 4 Middle School and was selected by Heyuan team to play provincial league matches. He is 1.87 meters tall and is currently studying in Guangdong University of Technology. He has previously won KFC three-person basketball MVP and once represented the Chinese team in the 2019 International Basketball Federation three-person Basketball U18 World Cup.

Zeng Yicheng said that playing basketball was a bit like “being a monk halfway”. “When I was in middle school in Liping county, Heyuan, I liked to play. I often played half-time with my teachers and classmates after class.” he laughed and said, maybe I was taller at that time “.

In junior high school, he had grown to 1.83 meters and almost stood out among his classmates. “At that time, I only played the center and couldn’t shoot at all. Such a height grabbed the rebound, just make up the basket, what kind of shooting do you want”.

It was not until he entered Dongguan No. 4 Middle School in August 2016 that Zeng Yicheng began to learn basketball knowledge systematically, including shooting. “Coach Li Guocheng of the fourth middle school at that time asked me to change my playing style, so he began to learn shooting.” Zeng Yucheng revealed with a smile that he originally wanted to learn the shooting method of NBA Warriors Curry, alas, he can’t learn at all. His starting rhythm is too fast. It doesn’t matter if he starts quickly. The key is accurate “. If he couldn’t learn Curry, he practiced by himself. He spent more time practicing shooting every day. He doubled as many teammates practiced. Finally, he gradually changed from “center” to “pitcher”.

Zeng Yicheng also revealed a funny detail of the basketball team in Dongguan No. 4 Middle School. “When I entered the team, I saw brother Hao (Chen Guohao), thinking that God, how could there be such a high person! I was the tallest when I was studying in Lianping before. He was not only tall but also fierce. He was still a little monster at that time, and now he is a big monster, but now he looks a little cute “.

Provincial League matches, the platform I yearned for since childhood

In 2020, Zeng Yicheng, who just turned 18, represented Heyuan team in the men’s basketball league of Guangdong province, and began to show his basketball talent on a higher stage.

“When I was in the second grade, I went to the scene with my father to watch Heyuan’s Provincial League match against Dongguan. The Provincial League match is the highest level basketball match in the whole province (amateur), and everyone yearns for it. Fortunately, I can participate in it on behalf of Heyuan team now “.

Heyuan is not an economically developed area, but the basketball atmosphere here is very strong, and it has been influenced by this atmosphere since childhood. When Zeng Yicheng was able to stand on the Provincial League match in Heyuan team uniform, he felt proud.

The 24th is the third round of the regular season of the Provincial League. The Heyuan team played against Huizhou at home, which is their first home game of the Provincial League this season. Zeng Yicheng came to the RIGORER basketball academy of Heyuan team for training early. “After so many days, the dream should wake up. I can’t float any more. I still need to be down-to-earth”, the young man is outspoken about the future goal: “Of course I want to play professional games, like brother hao!”

Chen Guohao is a hot candidate for the CBA draft of this year. While envious, Zeng Yicheng also mischievously put forward a small request to Hao Ge: “I hope he can often give me two tickets after entering CBA!”

(WEN/Yangcheng Evening News reporter Zhou Fangping intern Tan Qi)