Chen Dengxing: China’s Grassroots Slam Dunk King

Chen Dengxing was born in 1987 in Jinhua, Zhejiang Province. Standing 176 cm tall, he is widely known as a legendary grassroots slam dunker in China, earning the nickname “China’s Flying Man” for his extraordinary jumping ability and dunking skills.

Chen’s athletic journey began in elementary school with track and field events like long jump and high jump. Despite a relatively modest height during his early teens, his remarkable vertical leap set him apart. After graduating high school, he studied sports at Shaoxing University.

After college, Chen worked in a bank for six years but never gave up on his passion for basketball. Even when advised by doctors to quit due to a serious knee injury, he committed to intensive rehabilitation and made a strong comeback.

His breakthrough moment came in 2015 when a video of him kissing the basketball rim mid-air went viral online, earning him nationwide fame as a dunking phenomenon.

Chen has competed in multiple slam dunk contests and basketball shows, including:

Participating in the popular basketball reality show “This is Dunk” in 2019 as a top dunker on Jay Chou’s team.

Winning the CUBA All-Star Slam Dunk Contest in 2020.

Securing runner-up at the CBA All-Star Slam Dunk Contest in 2021.

Becoming the oldest champion of the CBA Slam Dunk Contest in 2025 with a perfect double 50-point performance.

Making history as the first Chinese player to win the slam dunk contest at the French Quai54 streetball tournament in 2025.

His athleticism is outstanding, boasting a running vertical jump of 1.25 meters and a standing reach over 2.25 meters, rivaling some of the best professional players globally.

More than just an athlete, Chen Dengxing symbolizes perseverance and passion, inspiring countless young basketball lovers to chase their dreams, proving that with determination, even grassroots players can reach extraordinary heights.