Chinese Basketball Association

Chinese Basketball Association
Organising bodyChinese Basketball Management Center
Founded1995; 29 years ago (1995)
First season1995–96
CountryChina
FederationChinese Basketball Association
ConfederationFIBA Asia
Divisions2
Number of teams20
Level on pyramid1
International cup(s)Basketball Champions League Asia
Current championsLiaoning Flying Leopards (4th title)
(2023–24)
Most championshipsGuangdong Southern Tigers
(11 titles)
Most appearancesZhou Peng (740)
All-time top scorerLester Hudson (13,076)
TV partnersCCTV, Migu Video
WebsiteCBALeague.com
2024–25 CBA season
Chinese Basketball Association
Traditional Chinese中國男子籃球職業聯賽
Simplified Chinese中国男子篮球职业联赛
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinZhōngguó Nánzǐ Lánqiú Zhíyè Liánsài
Bopomofoㄓㄨㄥ ㄍㄨㄛˊ ㄋㄢˊ ㄗˇ ㄌㄢˊ ㄑㄧㄡˊ ㄓˊ ㄧㄝˋ ㄌㄧㄢˊ ㄙㄞˋ
Gwoyeu RomatzyhJonggwo Nantzyy Lanchyou Jyryeh Liansay
Wade–GilesChung1-kuo2 Nan2-tzu3 Lan2-ch'iu2 Chih2-yeh4 Lien2-sai4
IPA[ʈʂʊ́ŋkwǒ nǎntsɹ̩̀ lǎntɕʰjǒʊ ʈʂɻ̩̌jê ljɛ̌nsâɪ]

The Chinese Basketball Association (simplified Chinese: 中国男子篮球职业联赛; traditional Chinese: 中國男子籃球職業聯賽; pinyin: Zhōngguó Nánzǐ Lánqiú Zhíyè Liánsài), often abbreviated as the CBA, is the first-tier professional men's basketball league in China.

The league is commonly known by fans as the CBA, and this acronym is even used in Chinese on a regular basis. The CBA should not be confused with the National Basketball League (NBL), which is a professional minor league. There is also a Women's Chinese Basketball Association (WCBA).

A few Chinese players who competed in the CBA in the early stages of their careers—including Wang Zhizhi, Mengke Bateer, Yao Ming, Yi Jianlian, Sun Yue, and Zhou Qi—have also played in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Others such as Xue Yuyang and Wang Zhelin were chosen in the draft, but have not played in the NBA.

Only a limited number of foreign players are allowed on each CBA team. Notable imports include former NBA All-Stars Stephon Marbury, Tracy McGrady, Gilbert Arenas, Steve Francis, Metta World Peace and Kenyon Martin—as well as several NBA veterans who would become CBA All-Stars—Michael Beasley, Aaron Brooks, Jimmer Fredette, Al Harrington, Lester Hudson, Randolph Morris, Shavlik Randolph, Jeremy Lin and J.R. Smith.