Asian University Basketball League expands as China pushes basketball growth

Jay Li Jintian, co‑founder and CEO of the Asian University Basketball League (AUBL), says the league aims to become the most recognisable Asian basketball property. Based in Hangzhou, the league is in its second year with 12 university teams competing in an NCAA‑style tournament. Expansion plans include a home‑and‑away schedule from November, additional teams from more countries and territories, and a women’s edition.

Chinese men’s basketball continues to struggle, lacking a new superstar after Yao Ming and suffering recent defeats to South Korea and Japan. Critics point to systemic problems in the Chinese Basketball Association, a collapsed youth training system and over‑reliance on imports, which limit the development of local players. National team member Zhao Rui noted a large gap between the CBA and international competition.