0 points, 0 rebounds, 3 fouls! Not just Xu Xin and Jiao Bochao—CBA’s top pick is also struggling under Du Feng

There is no denying that Du Feng demonstrated his coaching brilliance by leading Guangdong to three consecutive championships. However, since the departure of Yi Jianlian, a versatile big man capable of spacing the floor and creating offense, structural weaknesses have become increasingly evident—particularly in how the team utilizes role-playing interior players.

After Zhou Qi left last season, Guangdong brought in Wang Shaojie on loan from Beijing Royal Fighters. Known primarily for finishing plays and defense, Wang has struggled to develop further and is now experiencing the worst statistical season of his career.

In the recent win over Jiangsu, Wang played just 9 minutes without attempting a single shot, finishing with zeros across points, rebounds, assists, and blocks, along with one steal and three fouls. Against relatively average opponents, he failed to make any meaningful impact.

Tactically, the issue is clear. Guangdong relies heavily on Xu Jie as its primary ball handler, yet Wang rarely shares the floor with him. Without self-creation ability, Wang finds himself largely disengaged offensively. This season, he averages just 5.2 points and 3.2 rebounds in 18.3 minutes—career lows across the board.

Even more telling is that younger and more physically gifted bigs like Xu Xin and Jiao Boqiao have also struggled to thrive under Du Feng’s system. In that sense, Wang’s stagnation is not entirely surprising.

From a skillset perspective, Wang is essentially an undersized power forward who lacks shooting range and ball-handling ability. As the game evolves, these limitations have become increasingly exposed, confining him to a limited, labor-intensive role.

Moreover, he faces clear disadvantages in size and physicality. When matched up against stronger imports or bigger domestic players, he often becomes a defensive liability.

With his two-year loan nearing its end, this season is likely Wang’s final stint with Guangdong. Given the current dynamics within the team, and the criticism faced by other young bigs, Wang may actually be under less pressure.

Ultimately, the bigger question isn’t just Wang’s performance—but how Guangdong plans to rebuild its interior structure moving forward.