Basketball in China
The Young Men's Christian Association established its first branch in Tianjin during 1895. This event occurred just four years after the inaugural basketball game took place at Spring Field College in Massachusetts. The sport spread rapidly across China because it required minimal resources to play. By 1910, basketball had become an official event within the National Games. Only fifteen years passed between that first YMCA establishment and this national recognition. The late Qing Dynasty struggled with administrative failures, which allowed the YMCA to heavily influence these early preparations. China competed internationally for the first time at the First Far Eastern Championship Games held in Manila during 1913. Three nations participated in this tournament: China, Japan, and the Philippines. Citizens voted on basketball as one of two national sports by 1935 alongside ping pong.
After the People's Republic formed in 1949, officials used basketball to build diplomatic relations. Teams traveled to compete against socialist nations like Hungary, Czechoslovakia, and Romania. Travel expanded to countries such as Switzerland and France by 1959. Chinese teams eventually toured the United States following the ping pong diplomacy era of the 1970s. The women's team secured China's first Olympic medal in Los Angeles during 1984. They defeated Canada to win a bronze medal. This achievement marked a significant milestone for international competition. The sport reached peak popularity later due to Yao Ming becoming a Hall of Fame player. China hosted the FIBA Basketball World Cup in 2019. The men's national team has won sixteen titles of the FIBA Asia Cup between 1975 and 2005.
On the 24th of August 1979, the Washington Bullets became the first NBA team invited to China. Two exhibition games followed against the Chinese national team and the Bayi Rockets. State media began televising NBA games throughout the 1980s. David Stern signed an agreement with state authorities that granted free broadcasting rights to CCTV. This arrangement provided the country's first official exposure to the league. Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson were at their peaks when this coverage began. Over 450 million fans amassed in China as a result. Yao Ming entered the league in 2002 after being drafted by the Houston Rockets. He was the first international player selected as the number one overall pick. Television ratings spiked massively after Chinese stations expanded their coverage thanks to Yao. The league played two preseason games in China during 2004. Yi Jianlian joined the NBA in 2007 while playing for the Milwaukee Bucks. A game featuring both Yao and Yi drew 200 million viewers across thirteen outlets.
NBA China launched operations in January 2008 through collaboration with local management teams. The organization manages all business activities within Greater China including television and merchandising. Headquarters sit in Beijing with four offices located in Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Taipei. Staff numbers exceeded 115 employees shortly after establishment. Tim Chen served as CEO starting mid-October 2008. He previously worked for Microsoft where he built relationships with regulators. Investors included ESPN, Bank of China Group Investment, Legend Holdings Limited, and the Li Ka Shing Foundation. These partners contributed $253 million to acquire 11 percent of preference shares. Derek Chang stepped down as CEO in May 2020. Michael Ma took over the position that same month. Ma had helped launch NBA China back in 2008. The subsidiary is estimated to be worth more than $4 billion today.
About 625 million people in China were basketball fans during 2020. One hundred forty-three million of these individuals qualified as hardcore fans who regularly watch and play. Four hundred eighty-two million remaining fans identified as general supporters. This total viewer count exceeds the entire population of the United States. The NBA maintains an account on Douyin which has accumulated over 12.3 million followers. Users have generated over 410 million likes on content published by the league. This platform makes the organization the most followed sports league in the country. Fans also follow teams and players through WeChat where there are approximately 1.4 million followers. The NBA accumulated over 44 million followers on the Weibo forum. Weibo features exclusive player interviews that increase accessibility for citizens. Partnerships with these apps grew the fan base significantly. Summer tours and marketing practices targeted the primary audience effectively.
Daryl Morey posted an image supporting Hong Kong protesters on the 4th of October 2019. He deleted the tweet shortly after posting it. Owner Tilman Fertitta stated the post reflected Morey's personal opinion rather than that of the league. Morey apologized and echoed this disclaimer on October 5. The Chinese Basketball Association halted cooperation with the Rockets on October 6. Adam Silver reported potential losses could reach $400 million due to the incident. CCTV and other platforms stopped broadcasting Houston games. Companies including Vivo, Tencent, and state broadcaster CCTV suspended operations with the NBA. American politicians like Ted Cruz and Andrew Yang criticized the apology. Chinese leagues and streaming services cut relations with the organization. The
backlash proved costly for business operations throughout the region.
Common questions
When was the first YMCA basketball branch established in China?
The Young Men's Christian Association established its first branch in Tianjin during 1895. This event occurred just four years after the inaugural basketball game took place at Spring Field College in Massachusetts.
Which year did China compete internationally for the first time in basketball?
China competed internationally for the first time at the First Far Eastern Championship Games held in Manila during 1913. Three nations participated in this tournament: China, Japan, and the Philippines.
Who won China's first Olympic medal in basketball and when did it happen?
The women's team secured China's first Olympic medal in Los Angeles during 1984. They defeated Canada to win a bronze medal.
What date did Daryl Morey post an image supporting Hong Kong protesters?
Daryl Morey posted an image supporting Hong Kong protesters on the 4th of October 2019. He deleted the tweet shortly after posting it.