Caleb Zhu’s Rise Through the NPH Ecosystem Culminates in D1 Commitment
Caleb Zhu’s steady ascent through the Canadian basketball ranks has reached another major milestone. The 2026 6’10 big man has officially committed to Elon University, capping off a multi-year rise that began inside the North Pole Hoops ecosystem and has now positioned him as one of the most dominant frontcourt players on Canadian soil.
Zhu has been producing for a long time, but his development has been anything but rushed. His journey through NPH Showcase, NPH Scholastic, and the NPA reflects a player who earned every step forward through consistent growth, impact, and winning.
A Gradual Rise Through the Ranks
Zhu’s breakout began during the 2024 season, when he started on Royal Crown’s younger team competing in NPH Showcase. At the time, he was still carving out his role, but flashes of size, touch, and feel for the game quickly caught attention. That season marked the start of his emergence as a legitimate long-term prospect.
The following year, Zhu took a massive leap.
During the 2025 NPH Showcase season, he became the focal point of Royal Crown’s offence, putting up 21 points and 12 rebounds per game while asserting himself as one of the most productive bigs in the league. His dominance at the Showcase level earned him call-ups to Royal Crown’s Senior National Team, where he seamlessly transitioned into a winning role.
That group would go on to capture a National Championship in the NPA, giving Zhu valuable experience competing — and winning — at the highest level of Canadian prep basketball.
Cementing Himself at the Top
Now in the 2026 season, Zhu has taken another step forward. At 6’10, he is widely regarded as one of the top big men currently playing in Canada, anchoring a Royal Crown squad once again positioned as a national title contender with eyes on a repeat championship.
His combination of size, skill, and maturity has drawn consistent attention from U.S. programs. Before committing to Elon, Zhu held offers from Stetson and Northern Illinois, along with significant interest from other mid-major programs across the NCAA landscape.
Ultimately, Elon emerged as the right fit — both on and off the floor.
Built by the NPH Platform
Zhu credits much of his development and exposure to his time within the NPH ecosystem, which played a central role in shaping his confidence and readiness for the next level.
“Playing in the NPH ecosystem was a pivotal step in my development, sharpening my game mentally and physically while building confidence at a high level,” Zhu said.
“Competing in both the NPH Scholastic and NPA league elevated my performance and prepared me for elite competition with Royal Crown’s Senior National Team.”
“The platform helped provide me with exposure to scouts, university recruiters and coaches from Canada and the United States.”
What’s Next
With his college future secured, Zhu now turns his focus to finishing his high school career the right way — competing for championships and continuing to refine his game before making the jump to Division I basketball.
