At the age of 36, should he retire or not? Zhou Peng gave an unexpected answer: "No retirement! I still want to play and strive for another chance." In a post-game interview, this former captain of the Chinese men's basketball team and a meritorious player of Guangdong men's basketball team firmly stated that he would not choose to leave basketball after this season but decided to return to his old club, Guangdong men's basketball team, to continue fighting for the 2025 National Games.
Such an answer surprised many. After all, he is no longer the "young Zhou Peng" who could fly and dodge in the air. Injuries, age, and declining physical condition have become real problems facing him. So why does he still insist? Is it passion, responsibility, or reluctance?
A 36-year-old veteran, whose career has entered its twilight, still chooses to continue fighting. What kind of story lies behind such a decision?
If there is a relationship on the basketball court that can surpass the tacit understanding between teammates, it might be the trust between the head coach and the players. And Du Feng and Zhou Peng have such an unbreakable master-apprentice relationship. Zhou Peng served Guangdong men's basketball team for 16 years, becoming one of the indispensable core players, helping Guangdong win eight CBA championship trophies. During Du Feng's coaching tenure, Zhou Peng was regarded as a tactical core, always completing tasks whether it was scoring at critical moments or stabilizing the defense. It can be said that almost all of Zhou Peng's career highlights are closely linked with Du Feng.
The 2025 National Games is a campaign that Du Feng, after returning to Guangdong men's basketball team, attaches great importance to. In this context, he chose to recall the veteran Zhou Peng again. This arrangement may seem somewhat nostalgic, but for Du Feng, it is more about trust - trusting the experience and stability of this veteran. For Zhou Peng, being able to fight side by side with his mentor again is also a "cycle" in his career. After all, as a veteran, fighting again for the team and the mentor is not only an embodiment of basketball spirit but also an expression of gratitude.
Of course, Zhou Peng's career has not been smooth sailing. After leaving Guangdong men's basketball team, he started a new attempt with Shenzhen men's basketball team - embarking on a new journey as both a player and a coach. This role transformation of "playing while commanding" is destined not to be easy. As a player, he needs to maintain his competitive state on the court; as a coach, he also has to formulate tactics and boost morale for the team. Under this double pressure, Shenzhen men's basketball team's performance was not satisfactory. This low period made Zhou Peng face a lot of doubts.
But for Zhou Peng, such challenges have instead become a kind of tempering. He is very clear that failure is not the end but an opportunity to let him re-understand basketball and think about the future. He mentioned in an interview: "Being a coach and playing are completely different. I haven't learned to balance yet, but I know I still can't leave the court." Although the experience with Shenzhen men's basketball team was somewhat regrettable, it also made Zhou Peng more determined about his direction - he wants to return to the most familiar Guangdong men's basketball team, back to the place where he can exert his maximum value.
In fact, Zhou Peng's decision is not unique in the CBA. In the history of Chinese basketball, many veterans have chosen to delay retirement and give their all for the team one last time. For example, Wang Zhizhi once represented Bayi Team in the National Games at the end of his career; Zhu Fangyu still insisted on serving Guangdong men's basketball team in the 2013 National Games. These veterans all share a common trait - love for basketball and sense of responsibility to the team.
Zhou Peng's choice undoubtedly continues this tradition. On the CBA court, veterans are not only symbols of experience but also embodiments of spiritual strength. Although their physical conditions are not as good as young players, their game wisdom, steadiness in critical moments, and dedication to the game are still indispensable parts of the team. Zhou Peng's persistence is also the continuation of such a veteran spirit in the new era.
The persistence of veterans actually cannot be separated from family support. Zhou Peng did not avoid this issue. He mentioned in an interview that injuries and declining physical condition do make him feel tired at times. But every time he returns home, the understanding and support of his family always reignite his fighting spirit. "My wife has always supported me in playing basketball. She has never asked me to give up basketball because of family, which makes me very grateful," said Zhou Peng.
In fact, such family stories are not uncommon. Before retiring, Yao Ming also suffered from injuries, but the understanding and companionship of his family became one of the important driving forces for his final persistence. For athletes, family is not only their harbor but also the support that allows them to pursue their dreams wholeheartedly. Zhou Peng can still choose to persist at the age of 36, and the support of his family is undoubtedly one of the most important forces.
Statistics show that in the later stages of their careers, many veterans' states will gradually decline, but their contributions to the team are not just reflected in data. For example, statistics from the 2019 National Games show that teams with veterans often perform more stably in key games. This "invisible value" is precisely the significance of veterans.
Zhou Peng's persistence is not only a personal choice but also a model force. He tells young players with his actions that even at the end of their careers, as long as the passion remains, they can still spare no effort for the team and themselves. This spirit is not only worthy of respect but also deserves to be passed on.
At 36, Zhou Peng is still running on the basketball court. For him, basketball is not just a profession but also part of life. His choice is not a momentary impulse but a passion and a responsibility. On the basketball court, perhaps he can no longer gallop like when he was young, but with experience and wisdom, he can still shine for the team at critical moments. This is Zhou Peng's "final glory."
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