Chinese basketball players increasingly choose NCAA route

A growing number of Chinese basketball prospects are choosing to develop within the American college system rather than playing in domestic Chinese leagues. Zhang Boyuan, a 19-year-old 6-foot-9 forward, is among more than 10 Chinese players set to compete in NCAA Division I this season, including at the University of Louisville.

Historically, prominent Chinese players like Yao Ming and Yi Jianlian reached the NBA after spending several seasons in China. However, experts suggest that the 2021 introduction of Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) rules, which allow college athletes to earn money, has made the NCAA a more attractive destination for international talent seeking to pursue NBA dreams.