The Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) is China’s top professional men’s basketball league. It is run by the Chinese Basketball Federation, the central governing body for the sport in the country.
Inaugurated in 1995, the 27-year-old national league has featured numerous players in the past that joined the CBA during the early phase of their career and later went on to play in the NBA (National Basketball Association).
This article entails a brief insight into the history and current status of the Chinese Basketball Association.
Chinese Basketball Association history
The Chinese Basketball Association was established in 1995 as a Chinese version of the NBA. However, the introduction of basketball in China can be traced back to the late 19th century. In the 1890s YMCA, missionaries played a game that was similar in format to basketball. The game quickly gained popularity in the country’s urban centres, and by the 1920s, it had become a popular sport among youngsters.
By the 1930s, basketball had become popular throughout the country, and in 1936, China sent its first team to the Olympics. Basketball continued to remain popular even after the Cultural Revolution, and it was one form of western entertainment that was embraced widely. In fact, the People’s Liberation Army members were encouraged to play basketball.
The Chinese Basketball Association was developed many years later to foster basketball’s growth and talent development. The first non-Chinese player to play in the CBA was Mihail Savinkov, who played in the league’s inaugural season. The first American to play in the league was James Hodges in 1996. His induction into the CBA paved the way for many US players to play in China in the following years. Other famous players that joined around that time include John Spencer in 1996 and David Vanterpool in 1998.
In present times, the CBA has become a popular choice for foreign players. While the initial conditions were not ideal, the league has come a long way since then. Players are offered great packages, and this combined with a struggling European economy, has made the CBA a preferred choice among American players.
Meanwhile, various talented Chinese players came into the limelight on the home front, including Yoa Ming, Adi Jiang, Wang Zhizhi, Mengke Bateer, etc. Some of these players joined NBA in the early 2000s, while CBA got God Shommgod, the legendary player from Washington Wizards, in 2001.
In 2010, when Stephon Marbury, a highly popular NBA player, joined the CBA, it escalated the league’s popularity graph even higher. Stephon Marbury later joined as a coach to the CBA team Beijing Royal Fighters after he retired as a player in 2018.
Chinese Basketball Association Season
Currently, the Chinese Basketball Association has 20 teams. The full name of a team comprises its geographic location, a corporate sponsor name, and a nickname, which in most instances is an animal. The names often change as the sponsor may change from one season to the next. In some instances, teams have also chosen to change their nicknames.
Prior to 2004, the CBA’s title also included the name of its sponsor, but the practice was discontinued from 2004-2005. The league is divided into two divisions, the north, and the south, and the divisions comprise ten clubs each.
A regular season runs from October or November to mid of February or March. The CBA championship series was introduced in 2005 called the Mou Zuoyun Cup, named after the famous Chinese basketball player who participated in the 1936 Olympics and later worked as a coach. The current champions of 2021-2022 are Liaoning Flying Leopards, earning their second win. The team with the most wins in Guangdong Southern Tigers
Is CBA popular in China?
Basketball is one of the most popular sports in China. The CBA is regarded as China’s best men’s professional basketball league. The tier-1 league, with its 20 teams that comprise a mix of Chinese and foreign players, is a huge crowd puller in China. The CBA season games are some of China’s most attended sports events.
Who is the best CBA player?
The Chinese Basketball Association awards the most valuable player to the domestic and international players separately. The most valuable domestic player declared for 2021-22 was Hu Jinqiu. He plays for the Zheijiang Guangsha Lions in centre position. He was also a part of the country’s squad for the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup Qualification.
The most valuable international player for 2021-22 was Kay Felder, an American professional basketball player who plays as a point guard for the Shanxi Loongs in the CBA.
How long is the CBA season?
The 2021-2022 CBA season began in October and ended in late March. The season was divided into three stages. Each team played 38 games.
How much do players make in the Chinese Basketball Association?
Players in the Chinese Basketball Association earn around $ 1 million to $ 3 million per year.
Which are the best chinese basketball association teams?
In the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA), a prominent Chinese basketball league, several teams have established themselves as the leading contenders. As per the standings for the 2023-2024 season, the top teams in the league include:
- Liaoning Leopards: Demonstrating remarkable performance with a 100% victory rate over 9 games, scoring an average of 107.4 points per game while conceding 87.9 points per game.
- Xinjiang Flying Tigers: With a 77.8% winning percentage over 9 games, they have shown significant prowess, scoring 99.7 points and conceding 94.9 points per game on average.
- Zhejiang Golden Bulls: Holding a 70% winning rate over 10 games, they have an impressive average score of 112.2 points per game while allowing 99.5 points per game.
- Zhejiang Lions: Also at a 70% win rate over 10 games, they have an average score of 99.8 points per game and an average concession of 94.8 points per game.
- Beijing Ducks: Matching the 70% win rate over 10 games, with an average scoring of 104.3 points and conceding 100.2 points per game.
- Guangdong Southern Tigers: With a 70% win rate over 10 games, scoring 105.2 points and conceding 102.6 points per game on average.
These teams, with their impressive performance and the quality of Chinese Basketball Association players, stand out in the Chinese basketball league. The league’s competitiveness is further highlighted by the close margins in points scored and conceded, indicating a high level of skill and strategy employed by these teams.
