On the evening of May 10, the second round of the CBA playoffs’ quarterfinals concluded, with two teams—Shanghai and Shenzhen—advancing early after sweeping their opponents 2-0. Shanghai’s victory over Shandong was relatively straightforward, but Shenzhen’s clean sweep was particularly impressive. Despite their strong performance this season, Zhejiang is a seasoned CBA powerhouse, making Shenzhen’s achievement noteworthy.
What makes Shenzhen’s success even more remarkable is that last season they missed the playoffs entirely, making this year’s rebound to the top a remarkable turnaround in just one season.
Shenzhen has historically reached the semifinals multiple times, and this year they aim to break through to the finals for the first time in franchise history. For one player, however, this season already represents a personal milestone. Zhou Peng, in his 20-year CBA career, has made the playoffs 19 times and reached the semifinals 18 times—a feat few can match.
Most CBA fans are familiar with Zhou Peng’s illustrious career, which was largely defined by his time with Guangdong Southern Tigers. After the retirement of stars like Zhu Fangyu, Du Feng, and Wang Shipeng, Guangdong went through a brief honor slump, but their performance remained strong. As the team’s core, Zhou Peng helped Guangdong reach the playoffs year after year, securing at least a semifinal spot each time.
However, in 2022, as Guangdong entered a rebuilding phase, they chose not to renew Zhou Peng’s contract. He then joined Shenzhen, where he brought veteran experience. Shenzhen has been a consistent contender, with players like Shen Zijie and Gu Quan maintaining high competitiveness. In 2023, Shenzhen came close to the finals but were eliminated by Zhejiang on a last-second shot. Last season, however, Shenzhen hit a low point, missing the playoffs after trading Shen Zijie and suffering key injuries. This was likely the only blemish on Zhou Peng’s career resume. His brief stint as head coach also fell short of expectations, as he stepped down after just a few months, unprepared for the pressure.
This season, Shenzhen’s resurgence has been driven by He Xining, Wang Haoran, and strong foreign player performances. Zhou Peng has contributed less directly—his age and declining form have limited his impact. His contract with Shenzhen expires on July 31, just over two months away. Retirement seems almost certain, as his condition and age make it unlikely that any other team would sign him.
But the season isn’t over yet, and Zhou Peng’s good fortune may continue. Shenzhen’s path to the finals looks promising; their potential opponents in the semifinals—either Guangsha or Shanxi—have their own weaknesses, such as missing key players or foreign player flaws. Conversely, Shenzhen is riding high on momentum, with strong core players ready to make history.
After leaving Guangdong, Zhou Peng may not have expected another chance at a championship. But this year, the opportunity is real. Even if he doesn’t win the title with Shenzhen, reaching the finals again before retiring would fulfill his career aspirations.