Teenage prodigy overcomes his disability to dazzle basketball fans around the world

Zhang Jiacheng practices dribbling on the rooftop of his home in Gaochunzhen township, Yunfu, Guangdong province, on June 3. (DONG TIANJIAN AND CHEN KAIJIN/ NANFANG DAILY)

Zhang Jiacheng, 14, has become an online celebrity and hero to basketball fans at home and abroad, because of his exceptional basketball skills. Despite his disability, the teenager has won many one-on-one games against other players with his deft ball-handling skills.

Zhang, who attends junior high school in Gaochunzhen township, Yunfu, Guangdong province, lost part of his right arm in an accident in 2010.

In the summer of 2018, the township government held a free basketball training camp for local children. Zhang attended and fell in love with the game.

He hopes to overcome his disability and become a professional basketball player one day.

To realize his dream, he practices at school and at home. Over the past two years his skills have rapidly developed and he has an army of online followers, including NBA star Stephen Curry from the Golden State Warriors. One of his clips on Weibo has been viewed over 970 million times.

Nanfang Daily

His face drips with sweat after the practice session at home. (DONG TIANJIAN AND CHEN KAIJIN/ NANFANG DAILY)

Zhang focuses on his studies in the classroom. (DONG TIANJIAN AND CHEN KAIJIN/ NANFANG DAILY)

Zhang goofs around with his teammates after a morning training session on June 4. (DONG TIANJIAN AND CHEN KAIJIN/ NANFANG DAILY)

Zhang's father, Zhang Beihai, has always been supportive of his son's passion for basketball. (DONG TIANJIAN AND CHEN KAIJIN/ NANFANG DAILY)

Zhang and his classmate walk to school in the morning. (DONG TIANJIAN AND CHEN KAIJIN/ NANFANG DAILY)

Zhang makes a layup during a game with senior students at the school. (DONG TIANJIAN AND CHEN KAIJIN/ NANFANG DAILY)

Zhang plays a one-on-one game with a senior student at the school. (DONG TIANJIAN AND CHEN KAIJIN/ NANFANG DAILY)

Because of his disability, Zhang always wears a long-sleeved shirt. (DONG TIANJIAN AND CHEN KAIJIN/ NANFANG DAILY)