Center back with giant growth in maturity

CHANGZHI, Shanxi province: He may be only 25 years old, but former NBA prospect Tang Zhengdong now walks, talks and plays with a maturity that matches his massive frame.

There is no longer that reckless style of his younger days when he could not control himself on the court. Instead there is an understanding that every game could be his last since he severely injured his knee and missed all of last season.

"I am a changed man," Tang said yesterday at the CBA Summer League in Changzhi, Shanxi province.