Zhu Zhan

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Zhu Zhan (祝战)
Alias(es)	Little Zhan / Xiao Zhan 3 4
Species/Race	Human
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Jinghai No. 2 High School basketball team; Class 5 basketball team 3 17
Occupation/Role	High school senior; basketball player; Class 5 captain 4 17
First Appearance	Chapter 1, “Dunking Showdown”
Jersey Number	No. 1 1 17

Background / History

Zhu Zhan began playing basketball in third grade. His father, a police officer, used to bring him to the small court in their old residential complex; Zhu later returns there to train alone after school. His first coach, Yang Weimin, introduced both Zhu and Li Ke to basketball and continued training them after elementary school. 1 3

Since their first year at Jinghai No. 2 High School, Zhu and Li Ke have been core members of the school team. They led the team to the National High School Basketball League finals twice, losing both times to Dongda Affiliated High School. As a senior, Zhu views his final National League as a chance to win the championship for Coach Yang, who is battling late-stage stomach cancer. 3 35

Initially, Zhu lives in Li Ke’s shadow. He had long been Li Ke’s substitute and is repeatedly frustrated by being overlooked, but a dream of scoring against Li Ke hardens his resolve to improve and eventually surpass him. 1

While practicing alone at his residential court, Zhu meets Jiang Shi. After losing their first one-on-one 6–0, Zhu accepts Jiang as his private mentor and commits to enduring Jiang’s demanding training for the National High School Students League. 4

Appearance

Zhu Zhan is a tall, lean young man, approximately 1.8 meters tall at his introduction. 1

• Short black hair and bright black eyes. 1 12
• Usually wears his treasured No. 1 jersey. 1 3
• Wore a blue No. 1 jersey, white school-team training pants, and McGrady II sneakers during the Class 5–Class 6 game. 17
• Has a comparatively slight build; Jiang Shi identifies physical strength as one of his developmental weaknesses. 5 6

Personality

Zhu Zhan is quiet, self-disciplined, and intensely driven. He trains alone in poor weather, follows Jiang Shi’s punishing routines without complaint, and remains committed to both schoolwork and basketball. 3 6 8

He is competitive but not reckless. His desire to surpass Li Ke is a central motivation, yet he values their long-standing teamwork and accepts Li Ke’s encouragement. He also remains composed when opponents such as Jie Xiaoliang try to provoke him. 1 35 49

At home, Zhu is responsible and considerate toward his mother, Wei Qun. He wakes early to exercise, helps clean the residential buildings where she works, prepares meals, and balances these duties with studying. 3 5 8

Though generally reserved, Zhu can be flustered by Zhang Yuqing’s teasing and has difficulty hiding his growing interest in her. 8 9 10

Abilities & Skills

Shooting

Zhu’s primary route to improvement is shooting. Jiang Shi identifies consistency from mid-range and three-point range as the best way for Zhu to compensate for his lighter build and limited physicality. 6

• Began training through Jiang Shi’s “Three Hundreds” regimen: 100 paint shots, 100 mid-range shots, and 100 three-pointers under time limits. 6 7
• Found a shooting “touch” during mid-range practice and made more than 100 consecutive shots. 7
• Made five consecutive three-pointers from five different spots around the arc. 36
• Hit consecutive long-range shots during a three-on-three game against Xiao Ke’s team. 41
• Uses screens and off-ball opportunities effectively after learning that a shooter must create chances rather than rely on raw percentage. 40 44
• His shooting can become unstable when fatigue, pressure, or Zhang Yuqing’s teasing disrupts his rhythm. 9 25

Ball Handling and Finishing

Zhu combines controlled dribbling with deceptive changes of direction and composed finishing.

• Used a spin move to beat Wang Jun in a two-on-two game, then smoothly converted a leaning shot despite a help defender. 2
• Uses shot fakes to exploit aggressive defenders; he baited Zhang Jian into jumping before finishing the possession. 23
• Studies exaggerated feints and crossovers to make his own drives more convincing. 45 47
• Adjusted his shooting form in midair to score the game-winning basket against Zhang Jian while being fouled. 25 26

Court Vision and Team Play

Zhu reads teammates’ positions and favors efficient team offense over individual challenges.

• Executed a no-look alley-oop pass to Li Ke during Class 5’s game against Class 6. 18
• Recognizes when teammates can create an opening; he immediately used Yuan’er’s screen to free himself for a three-pointer. 40
• Passed rather than forcing a shot when double-teamed in three-on-three play. 40
• Shares strong nonverbal on-court chemistry with Li Ke, especially in their pick-and-roll actions. 2 50

Defense and Rebounding

Jiang Shi’s training greatly improves Zhu’s defensive awareness, positioning, and reactions.

• Learned to control his breathing and pace rather than allowing opponents to dictate his rhythm. 12
• Uses a half-step retreat to preserve space against drives and cover either direction, rather than pressing into stronger opponents. 45 46
• Blocked Xiao Ke’s step-back jumper in midair after anticipating the move. 41
• Disrupted Xiao Ke and Old Ma’s pick-and-roll attempt. 41
• Predicted missed shots’ landing points to secure consecutive rebounds while contested by two opponents. 40
• Was selected as Class 5’s primary defender against the physically imposing Wang Cheng. 47 48
• His defense remains vulnerable when he reacts too late to jump shooters or gives up balance against a powerful drive. 46 50

Conditioning and Discipline

Zhu maintains a demanding routine outside organized practice.

• Performs daily push-ups, sit-ups, wrist-strength exercises, stretching, and horse-stance training. 5 8 10
• Endures push-up penalties for missed targets in Jiang Shi’s shooting drills. 6 7 9
• His endurance reaches the level of peers training at sports schools, though Jiang Shi believes he remains behind exceptionally athletic players. 7
• Continued playing through severe exhaustion to score against Class 6. 25 26

Equipment / Items

• No. 1 basketball jersey — Zhu’s favored and treasured jersey. 1 3 4
• McGrady II sneakers — Worn during the Class 5–Class 6 game. 17
• Basketball — Carries one to his residential court for regular individual practice. 3 36

Relationships

• Li Ke — Best friend, longtime teammate, and principal rival. Zhu spent years as Li Ke’s substitute but now seeks to surpass him; their mutual understanding remains a major strength on court. 1 2 35 46
• Jiang Shi — Private mentor. Jiang recognizes Zhu’s potential and trains his shooting, conditioning, tactical awareness, and defense. 4 6 45
• Wei Qun — Mother. Zhu helps with her cleaning work, prepares meals, and returns home early because of her poor health. 3 5
• Yang Weimin — Zhu’s first basketball coach, who introduced him and Li Ke to the sport. Zhu wants to win the National League in his honor. 3 35
• Zhang Yuqing — Training partner and friendly shooting rival. Her teasing often unsettles Zhu, though he also thinks about her frequently. 8 9 43
• Zhang Jian — Class 6 opponent whose athleticism pushes Zhu to his limits. Zhu outplays him strategically and scores the deciding basket after Zhang Jian fouls him out. 23 25 26
• Wang Cheng — School-team teammate and Class 1 opponent. Zhu is assigned to guard him because of his defensive improvement and familiarity with Wang Cheng’s disruptive physical style. 47 49
• Fang Wei and Yuan’er — Three-on-three teammates who support Zhu through passing, screening, and coordinated defense against Xiao Ke’s team. 39 40

Story Role / Major Arcs

Training Under Jiang Shi

Zhu begins private training after Jiang Shi decisively defeats him one-on-one. The program emphasizes shooting repetition, breath control, jump rope, physical conditioning, and tactical understanding. 4 6 11 12

Class 5 vs. Class 6

As Class 5 captain, Zhu helps orchestrate the team’s offense against Class 6. He assists Li Ke with a no-look alley-oop, uses strategy to exploit Zhang Jian’s foul trouble, and scores the game-winning basket while being fouled. 17 18 23 26

Defensive Breakthrough

After playing Xiao Ke and receiving further instruction from Jiang Shi, Zhu develops a more patient defensive approach based on spacing, anticipation, and reaction speed. He tests the method against Li Ke and earns his friend’s recognition. 41 45 46

Class 5 vs. Class 1

Zhu volunteers to take primary responsibility for guarding Wang Cheng, allowing Li Ke to focus on offense. He remains calm under Jie Xiaoliang’s attempts at provocation and contributes to Class 5’s early lead with a pick-and-roll three-pointer from Li Ke. 47 49 50

Notable Quotes

“I learned not to give up!” 30

“I’ll defeat them! Every last one of them!” 26

“I’ll keep getting better. I’ll surpass him!” 26