YUCHEN ZOU
BIRTHDATE: 7/5/96
POSITION: Power Forward/Center
HEIGHT: 6'11"
WEIGHT: 238 lbs
SCHOOL/ TEAM: Bayi Rockets (China)
NATIONALITY: Chinese
STRENGTHS
Size - Good size at 6'11, broad shoulders, physically mature for his age
Physicality - Physical presence who loves to play through contact
Running the floor - Has the ability to run the floor but prefers to trail in transition opposed to rim run.
Rebounding - A threat on the offensive in defensive glass. Has averaged over 9 rebs 3 consecutive years in CBA
Shooting - Not a great shooter, but has made strides and has potential to be a respectable shooter from deep
Post Game - Fundamentally sound post game, understands how to establish position and has a good feel for game
Shot blocking - Lead CBA in blocks
Screening - Loves contact and sets hard screens
WEAKNESSES
Athleticism - Lacks explosiveness and plays below rim
Finishing vs length - Struggles finishing vs defenders just as strong and with length
Driving - Out of control when driving to the rim
Composure - While he plays tough, he picks up a lot of cheap fouls and unnecessary hard fouls
Yuchen Zou is a tough, physically mature throwback center who has already established himself was one of the best players in the Chinese Basketball Association. In his 3rd year as a pro Zou averaged 17.3 points, 9.1 rebounds and a league leading 2.5 blocks per game.
Zou is a physical presence who loves banging bodies and throwing his wide shoulders into defenders. He's fundamentally sound and knows how to establish position in the post where he can turn off both shoulders and score with either hand on the block. Zou is also solid shooter with a soft touch and improving 3 point shot.
At the Asia Challenge tournament in 2016 he was primarily used as a post player and did most of his damage right at the rim. He looked like a different player in the CBA where he played more power forward and spaced the floor.
Zou is an interesting prospect because of his ability to play inside and outside while protecting the rim. He must continue to improve his shooting range and become a strong pick & pop threat to improve his NBA draft stock.
RAFAEL BARLOWE - OCTOBER 12, 2017
SUMMARY
KHAIRI'S NOTES
2016 ASIA CHALLENGE
Strengths
Strength
Effort
Weaknesses
Athleticism
Offensive diversity
Turnovers
Defense
NOTES
Average size for an NBA 5
Below average athlete
Can dunk if open and can collect himself
Moves decently up and down the court but doesn't get out ahead of the break
Has strength in the post, fights to establish positioning
Does a good job pinning his defender once he gets good position
If he doesn't really establish his position, he can be moved off his spot
Can have some trouble catching entry passes
Works mostly on the left block and flashing to the middle
Much more comfortable turning his left shoulder to his right hand
Shows decent feet but can also get caught traveling
Initiates contact in the post to get to the rim
Doesn't finish through uninitiated contact well and exposes the ball early in his shot
Shows good form on his jumpshot albeit a slow release but doesn't have enough jump shot possessions to make a determination on his projection as a jumpshooter
Doesn't have good timing or technique on his screen
Most of the screens he sets are blatantly moving/illegal
Turnover prone, throwing and catching passes, traveling
Defense
Fights to keep post players from establishing deep position
Has difficultly moving laterally from his strong base, when the post player makes a move
Slow to close out on shooters but keeps his hands high
His closeout can be attacked successfully
Looks for a player to box out when a shot goes up
Additional Notes from 2016-17 CBA season
Good mid range shooter out to 18 feet
Best when shooting from corners
Crashes offensive glass hard and fights for rebounds in traffic
JAMES' NOTES
Strong finisher - will dunk on you. Will try to dunk in traffic.
Mean streak - not afraid to be physical, sets good, hard screens.
Good athlete - mobile for a guy his build
Good mechanics and touch on his jump shot - can shoot 15 foot jumpers and comfortable from distance. Can play either the 4 or the 5
Clears space on duck ins - uses wide frame to maintain low post position.
Rim protector - able to protect the rim from the weak side
Poor decision maker as a roller/ trail man - was a turnover machine Asian Challenge. Forced passes that weren’t there
Not particularly efficient in post ups - struggled to finish if defender was able to hold is position.
Shaky hands - bobbles a lot of passes when rolling in PNR.
Needs a quick push shot instead of trying to get all the way to the rim. He can’t always get clean looks at the glass and doesn’t particularly play above the rim.