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Du Feng

Du Feng (Chinese: 杜锋; born July 30, 1981, in , ) is a professional coach and former player, renowned for his tenure with the in the (). Standing at 2.07 m (6 ft 9½ in), he played as a / for the Southern Tigers from 1999 to 2012, contributing to seven championships and representing at the 2004 Olympics (where he averaged 4.2 points over five games) and the 2008 Beijing Olympics (3.3 points over four games). As a coach, Du Feng returned to the as head coach starting in the 2012–13 season, leading the team to its eighth title that year. He guided the club to three more championships in the 2018–19, 2019–20, and 2020–21 seasons, earning Coach of the Year honors in 2019 and 2020. In October 2019, the appointed him head coach of the men's national team, succeeding Li Nan; during his three-year stint until late 2022, he achieved a 15–9 record in international competitions. Under his leadership, won the men's basketball gold at 's 15th National Games in November 2025, defeating in the final. Du Feng's coaching style, characterized by intense passion and tactical discipline, has made him a prominent figure in Chinese basketball, often drawing attention for his sideline demeanor and commitment to youth development.

Early life and background

Childhood and family origins

Du Feng was born on July 30, 1981, in , the capital of the Uyghur Autonomous Region in northwest . He is of . Raised in , a remote and ethnically diverse region, Du Feng spent his childhood there before relocating to province in 1996 at age 15 to join the youth system, following his initial organized training at Xinjiang Sports School. In 2009, Du Feng married Ma Chenfei, who is six years younger than him and comes from a family with a prominent military background spanning three generations, including her grandmother's participation in the . The couple welcomed their son, nicknamed "Tiger Head," in 2010; the child has received early training and shown promise in the among peers. Du Feng's early move to Guangdong for his professional development profoundly influenced his family life, as Ma Chenfei relocated with him to after their marriage, integrating into the city's vibrant community.

Youth development in basketball

Du Feng's introduction to occurred during his teenage years in , where he initially engaged in sports like and before transitioning to in . In 1996, while attending junior high, he applied to the Xinjiang Sports School's program, facing challenges due to his height of 1.78 meters, which fell short of the 1.80-meter requirement, and initial fitness issues; however, a test indicating he was 3-5 years younger than his peers allowed him to join the school and begin formal training. That same year, Du Feng caught the attention of scouts during a recruitment event in , where he attended with a teacher from Sports University. Impressed by his potential despite his slender build—earning him the early nickname "bean sprout"—the scouts recruited him to the youth team at age 15. Shortly thereafter in 1996, still at age 15, he relocated from to to immerse himself in the club's youth development system, with his family's encouragement facilitating the move. Within the Guangdong youth setup, Du Feng's training regimen emphasized physical conditioning and skill refinement suited to his emerging frame as a . Over the subsequent years, he developed significantly, reaching a height of 2.07 meters and weight of 100 kilograms, which enhanced his rebounding, defensive presence, and interior scoring abilities. This period focused on building his athleticism and IQ through intensive drills, adapting to a professional environment away from home. Du Feng signed his first professional contract with the in 1997, transitioning from the youth ranks to the senior roster and paving the way for his debut on December 10, 1997, against .

Playing career

Professional career with

Du Feng made his professional debut with the in the 1997–98 season at the age of 16, marking the beginning of a 15-season tenure with the team. As a , he quickly established himself as a key contributor on the frontcourt, leveraging his 2.02-meter frame and defensive prowess to anchor the team's interior play. Throughout his career, Du Feng played a pivotal role in the Southern Tigers' dominance in the , contributing to multiple championships, including those in 2003–04, 2004–05, 2005–06, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2009–10, and 2010–11. His versatility in scoring, rebounding, and leadership helped the team secure seven titles during his playing years, solidifying 's status as a dynasty. In the 2003–04 season, Du Feng reached the peak of his individual performance, earning the inaugural CBA Finals MVP award for his standout contributions in leading to the championship over the . Over his 15 seasons, Du Feng appeared in over 500 regular-season and playoff games, averaging around 12 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists per game while providing stout defense with nearly 1 steal and 0.5 blocks per contest in his later years. These statistics underscored his consistent impact, particularly in high-stakes playoff matchups where his physicality and IQ shone. Following the 2011–12 season, Du Feng announced his retirement in April 2012, concluding his playing career to transition into coaching roles within the organization.

International career with national team

Du Feng earned his first call-up to the China national team in the early 2000s, debuting at the where he appeared in all seven games, averaging 1.9 points and 0.7 rebounds per game as a 21-year-old . He represented at the in , participating in the group's five preliminary matches as the team finished 10th overall without advancing to the knockout stage; Du averaged 4.2 points and 2.4 rebounds across his appearances. At the in , serving as a host nation player, he featured in three games, contributing 1.3 points and 1.3 rebounds per contest while helping the team secure an 11th-place finish. Du Feng played a pivotal role in China's silver medal-winning performance at the in , where the team reached the final but fell to . Seven years later, he was instrumental in securing another silver medal for China at the in , defeating in the semifinals before losing to in the final; this runner-up finish qualified China for the , supporting the nation's path toward future Olympic contention. Over his tenure with the senior national team from 2002 to 2009, spanning 51 games across major tournaments, Du Feng maintained career averages of about 4.0 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 0.5 assists per game, often emphasizing physicality in the frontcourt. As a versatile forward, he specialized in bolstering team defense through tough interior play and rebounding, providing crucial support on the boards during high-stakes Asian competitions despite modest scoring output.

Coaching career

Assistant and early head coaching roles

Following his retirement from professional basketball in April 2012, Du Feng immediately transitioned into coaching by joining the as an assistant coach for the 2012-13 () season under head coach Li Chunjiang. In this role, he contributed to the team's successful campaign, which culminated in the 2012-13 championship victory after defeating the Shandong Golden Stars 4-0 in the finals. In January 2013, Li Chunjiang resigned due to health concerns midway through the season, prompting Du Feng's promotion to interim . Du Feng secured his first victory as on January 6, 2013, with a 109-97 win over the Shanxi Zhongyu Brave Dragons. He was subsequently confirmed as the full-time , leading the team to the 2012-13 title in what became his inaugural season in the role despite the mid-season start. Du Feng's early coaching approach drew from his playing as a tenacious forward, prioritizing defensive intensity and team cohesion to build on the club's pedigree. This philosophy helped maintain momentum during the transitional period, fostering unity among players familiar with his leadership from his on-court days.

Head coach of Guangdong Southern Tigers

Du Feng assumed the role of head coach for the in the 2012–13 season on an interim basis, becoming permanent following the team's victory in the 2013 Finals. During his initial tenure from 2013 to 2017, he guided the team to the championship in 2013 but faced challenges in subsequent seasons, including a 4–0 sweep loss to in the 2017 finals. After a brief departure during the 2017–18 , Du Feng returned for the 2018–19 campaign, initiating a dominant period that yielded three consecutive titles in 2019, 2020, and 2021. His leadership during this stretch earned him the Coach of the Year award in 2019 and 2020, recognizing his ability to blend veteran experience with emerging talent. Under Du Feng's ongoing tenure since 2018, the Southern Tigers have maintained consistent playoff contention, appearing in the postseason every year through 2025. His coaching record reflects sustained success, with notable regular-season performances such as a 44–2 mark in 2019–20 and a 42–4 record in 2018–19, though the team finished 7th in the 2024–25 regular season with 31 wins and 15 losses. In recent developments, secured the men's gold at the 2025 National Games, defeating 101–65 in the final on November 12, marking their third title in and second under Du Feng. Du Feng's strategies emphasize player development and the integration of young talents, exemplified by guard , whom he mentored from a promising into a key national team contributor and backcourt leader for . This approach has sustained the team's competitiveness despite occasional overlaps with his national team duties, which briefly divided his focus.

Head coach of China national team

In April 2017, as part of (CBA) chairman Ming's reforms to expand the talent pool and enhance preparation for international events, a dual national team system was established, comprising the Red Team and Blue Team. Du Feng was appointed head coach of the China Blue Team, serving from 2017 to 2018 alongside Li Nan's leadership of the Red Team, with the initiative aimed at fostering competition and development across a broader roster of players. Du Feng's elevation to head coach of the primary came on October 31, 2019, succeeding Li Nan after the team's underwhelming results at the 2019 FIBA World Cup, where finished last in their group. His appointment marked a strategic shift toward rebuilding the squad in the post-Yao Ming era, a period characterized by talent gaps and inconsistent international performances following the of the iconic in 2011. Drawing on tactical insights from his club coaching, Du emphasized youth integration, defensive discipline, and long-term player development to restore competitiveness. Under Du's guidance through 2022, the national team targeted success at major tournaments while navigating challenges like injuries and roster transitions, achieving a 15-9 record in international competitions. At the in , entered as favorites to claim the title but endured an early exit, finishing outside the semifinals after a group-stage loss to and a quarterfinal defeat to , hampered by key absences and execution issues. In the Asian Qualifiers, Du led the team through multiple windows, culminating in qualification for the World Cup finals via an 80-67 overtime victory against in the fifth window on November 14, 2022, securing second place in Group A. His three-year tenure focused on stabilizing the program amid these efforts. Du Feng's national team role concluded shortly after the World Cup qualification, with the CBA announcing on November 16, 2022, that Serbian coach Aleksandar Djordjevic would replace him ahead of the sixth qualifier window and the tournament itself, aiming for fresh perspectives in preparation for the 2023 World Cup. By November 2025, Du Feng had not resumed national duties, instead concentrating on club commitments with the .

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