Zhou Peng, who joined the CBA's Shenzhen Leopards on Tuesday, said goodbye and expressed his gratefulness to the Guangdong Southern Tigers, for which he played for 16 years, on Sina Weibo on Tuesday.

"My coach took me to Guangdong to join the youth team of the Southern Tigers in February 2004," Zhou wrote. "This is my second hometown, where my family, friends, mentor and teammates are. My teammates and I won eight CBA championships and two National Games gold medals for Guangdong since then."

"Everything I have been through here, including both the excitement of lifting the championship trophy and the persistence when facing [a] slump, will be the best memories of my career," he added. "I wouldn't have become who I am without the Southern Tigers. I'm grateful to all of it; I feel no qualms; and I respect the team's decision. There are regrets, but my story is not over. I want to leave the unlimited possibilities for the future. Thank you, Southern Tigers, for your trust and support. Farewell from No. 11, captain Zhou Peng."

The Southern Tigers have never missed the CBA playoffs in any of the 16 seasons Zhou was on the team. They reached the Finals 11 times and won eight of them. Zhou was still a rookie when the team won the first two titles, but his role became integral from the third championship. His rise in 2015 became a significant help to Yi Jianlian who was struggling to carry the team by himself.

Zhou has averaged double-digit points for the Southern Tigers since the 2015-16 season. He is not a top isolation scorer, but he has solid defense and is a reliable catch-and-shooter from the 3-point line.

Yi reposted Zhou's Weibo and posted: "It has been valuable experience in the Southern Tigers, but every day of the past 10 years with you in both the domestic and international competitions means even more to me. I am grateful to be pairing with you and wish you more success in your career."

"Thank you for your long-time sheltering and support, you will always be my captain," Xu Jie of the Southern Tigers posted on Weibo.

"Work harder, you have more energy than you can see. Believe in yourself, you can do this tiger," Zhou responded to Xu.