Four CBA Enforcers Retire! Two from Guangdong, While Hu Jinqiu’s Backup Ends Career with a Championship

Every summer, the CBA witnesses a wave of veterans hanging up their jerseys. This year, big names like Han Dejun, Jia Cheng, and Zhu Yanxi announced their retirements. But what drew special attention was the simultaneous exit of two players long regarded as the league’s notorious “enforcers” — Xu Zhonghao and Ren Junwei. Alongside previously retired figures Su Wei and Wang Xiaohui, these four were the face of hard, often controversial play in the CBA. With their collective departure, the question now lingers: who will step into this infamous role in the future?

The Role of the Enforcer in CBA

Basketball has always thrived on physical confrontation, and some players built reputations — and careers — on aggressive, sometimes borderline actions. Whether through sheer size, relentless defense, or deliberate fouls, such players were often valued for disrupting opponents, with coaches occasionally turning a blind eye if it meant securing wins. In many cases, these athletes embraced “blue-collar” roles, exhausting rivals through tough defense, even if it meant becoming repeat offenders of harsh fouls.

Xu Zhonghao: From Ba Yi to Championship Glory

Xu Zhonghao’s career began in 2008 with the Bayi Rockets before moving to Zhejiang Guangsha in 2020 after Bayi’s disbandment. At 35, his career is effectively over, as Guangsha chose not to renew his contract this season. Though his playing time dwindled in recent years, Xu carved out a role as Hu Jinqiu’s backup, leveraging his size and strength.

However, Xu’s reputation was marred by notorious incidents, including a brutal elbow that fractured Liao Sanning’s face and another foul that sidelined Li Tianrong. These episodes earned him a six-game suspension and cemented his “enforcer” label. Still, Xu had the fortune of ending on a high: last season, Guangsha finally clinched the championship, allowing him to retire as one of the few Bayi alumni — alongside Fu Hao — to hold a CBA title.

Ren Junwei: The Shadow of His Brother

Another retiree is Ren Junwei, a product of Guangdong’s youth system. Unlike his brother Ren Junfei, who thrived with Guangdong’s championship pedigree and national team appearances, Ren Junwei charted a different path. He first played for Foshan, later for Shanxi, and eventually joined Shanghai in 2021 under coach Li Chunjiang.

While known early as a versatile forward, Ren’s game in Shanghai took on a more rugged edge. His increasingly physical style drew criticism, as his “enforcer” reputation grew. After his contract expired in 2023 without renewal, Ren briefly transitioned into coaching with Shenzhen before making a short-lived comeback due to roster shortages. This year, he has finally closed the chapter on his playing career.

Su Wei and Wang Xiaohui: The Infamous Trailblazers

The “enforcer” narrative wouldn’t be complete without Su Wei and Wang Xiaohui, who both retired in 2022. Su Wei, a Guangdong mainstay since 2006, collected multiple championships across stints with Xinjiang, Qingdao, and Guangdong again. His defensive presence was undeniable, but his infamous habit of sticking his leg out during pick-and-rolls made him a dreaded — and notorious — opponent.

Meanwhile, Beijing’s Wang Xiaohui became infamous for highlight-reel fouls, his role defined by locking down opposing stars on the perimeter. His most infamous moment came in 2020, when a midair collision with Shanxi’s Franklin fractured the latter’s ribs — an injury Franklin never fully recovered from.

A Changing Era in CBA

With stricter league regulations and harsher punishments for malicious fouls, fights, and unsportsmanlike behavior, the age of the CBA “enforcer” may be closing for good. As Xu Zhonghao, Ren Junwei, Su Wei, and Wang Xiaohui step away, the league is moving toward a cleaner, more disciplined style of play — a shift that may ultimately be healthier for both players and the sport.