Amanda Knapp
Basketball is a popular sport in China, with a large and growing youth culture. The NBA has recognised this popularity and has established the NBA China organisation, which manages the league's business operations in the region. In 2016, the NBA launched partnerships with three existing academies in the Chinese cities of Urumqi, Jinan and Hangzhou, with the aim of developing elite players who can bring glory to their country through the national team and maybe even play in the NBA one day. In total, the academies have 280 male athletes and 280 female athletes, for a grand total of 560 students.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of NBA Academies in China | 3 |
| Cities with NBA Academies | Urumqi, Jinan, Hangzhou |
| Year NBA Academies were launched | 2016 |
| Number of Students | 560 (280 male, 280 female) |
| Age Group | Under-16 and Under-18 |
| Other Organisations | CBA Dongguan Basketball School, Pro Skills Basketball, AUBL |
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What You'll Learn
- The NBA has launched academies in Urumqi, Jinan, and Hangzhou
- The academies aim to foster a more holistic training environment for China's youth
- The NBA has faced human rights complaints about its academies in China
- The Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) brought basketball to China in 1895
- China has its own professional development pipelines for basketball players
The NBA has launched academies in Urumqi, Jinan, and Hangzhou
The NBA has a large fan base in China and has been working to grow the game of basketball in the country. In 2014, the NBA collaborated with China's Ministry of Education to integrate an exercise and basketball development curriculum into schools across the country. This partnership also provided Chinese teachers with the opportunity to study NBA training methods. In 2015, NBA China launched a junior league in the country.
In 2016, the NBA announced the opening of academies in Urumqi, Jinan, and Hangzhou. These academies are the first of their kind, offering elite training camps for players in China. The academies are in partnership with existing training centres in these cities, which will be staffed with NBA-trained coaches. The NBA Commissioner, Adam Silver, described the academies as the "logical next step in the league's global grassroots basketball activities". The NBA's goal is to develop elite players who can compete in the CBA (Chinese Basketball Association) and the NBA, bringing glory to their country.
The NBA strategically chose these locations as they are largely populated but lesser-known areas, allowing the NBA to grow from the ground up and encounter less competition for players. The academies will have under-16 and under-18 teams that will compete against top competition throughout the year, and the best players will get to travel for international games.
The NBA has a strong presence in China, with NBA China established in 2008 to manage the league's business operations in the region. The organisation is headquartered in Beijing and has offices in Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Taipei.
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The academies aim to foster a more holistic training environment for China's youth
Basketball was introduced to China in the late 1890s by the Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA), which established the first YMCA in Tianjin in 1895. The sport spread quickly and gained popularity, becoming an event in the 1910 and 1914 National Games. China began competing internationally in basketball, starting with the First Far Eastern Championship Games in 1913 in Manila, Philippines, where they competed with Japan and the Philippines.
In 2008, the NBA established NBA China in collaboration with local operations and management. NBA China is headquartered in Beijing and manages the league's business operations in Greater China, including television and other media merchandising and marketing. In 2016, the NBA launched partnerships with three existing academies in the Chinese cities of Urumqi, Jinan, and Hangzhou. These academies aim to foster a more holistic training environment for China's youth, with NBA-trained coaches and development programs that focus on both on-and-off-court development. The academies will also have under-16 and under-18 teams that will compete against top competition throughout the year, providing a platform for the most talented Chinese basketball players to sharpen their skills.
The NBA has also been working to integrate exercise and basketball development curricula into schools across China. In 2014, Yao Ming collaborated with the NBA China organization to open the first after-school basketball program in Beijing, providing fitness and basketball training for kids of all ages. Additionally, the NBA and China's Ministry of Education announced a multi-year collaboration to integrate basketball and exercise curricula into schools nationwide.
While the NBA academies in China have faced some challenges, including human rights concerns and complaints of physical abuse by Chinese partners, the overall goal is to foster a holistic training environment for young Chinese athletes. The NBA's presence in China also includes Pro Skills Basketball, based in Chengdu, Sichuan province, where they work to develop Chinese basketball youth culture positively. The recent establishment of the Asian University Basketball League (AUBL) also aims to develop youth talent and create a platform for the next generation of NBA stars from Asia.
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The NBA has faced human rights complaints about its academies in China
In 2016, the NBA announced that it would open academies in Hangzhou, Urumqi, and Jinan, China. These academies were launched in 2017 and have a total of 560 students, with an equal number of male and female athletes. The NBA China organization, established in 2008, manages the league's business operations in the region and is headquartered in Beijing.
However, the NBA has faced human rights complaints about its academies in China. In 2020, ESPN reported on the alleged human rights abuses taking place at these academies. According to the report, the academies were largely under the control of the Chinese government, with one coach describing it as "a sweat camp for athletes." Multiple NBA employees filed complaints about witnessing Chinese coaches physically abusing teenage players and the lack of education provided to the young participants, despite previous commitments that education would be "central" to the program.
In response to the report, Mark Tatum, the NBA deputy commissioner and chief operating officer, stated that the league is "reevaluating" and "considering other opportunities" for the program. The NBA also asked current and former employees not to speak to the media about the exposé.
The controversy surrounding the NBA's academies in China is not an isolated incident. The NBA has faced criticism for its ties to China, including allegations of links to forced labor in Xinjiang and censorship of support for law enforcement and criticism of the Chinese Communist Party. These actions have led to increased exposure to potential financial and legal risks for the NBA and its partners.
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The Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) brought basketball to China in 1895
Basketball is now the most popular sport in China, with the National Basketball Association (NBA) being the country's most popular sports league. However, basketball's introduction to the country can be traced back to the late 19th century and the work of the Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA).
The YMCA was first founded in 1844 by 22-year-old George Williams, a farmer-turned-department store worker. Williams was troubled by the hazards of life on the streets for young men and wanted to provide a refuge. The first YMCA brought together 11 friends, and the movement grew, eventually recruiting 5,000 volunteers during the American Civil War.
In 1895, the International Committee of the YMCA in North America sent its first American secretary to China, establishing the first YMCA in Tianjin. This was just four years after the first-ever game of basketball was played at Springfield College (then a YMCA Training School) in Massachusetts, USA. The sport was invented by physical education teacher James Naismith, who was tasked with creating an indoor winter game to challenge a class of future YMCA directors. Naismith hung peach baskets from the bottom of a second-level running track and taught the men to play.
The YMCA in China promoted athleticism and the Olympic movement in the country, and basketball quickly took off. It was an accessible sport that did not require many resources to play, and by 1910, just 15 years after the YMCA's arrival in China, basketball was included as an event in the National Games. China began competing internationally in 1913 at the First Far Eastern Championship Games in Manila, the Philippines. The YMCA's work in China was briefly halted by the Boxer Rebellion, but it soon recovered, and in 1912 the General Committee of China, Korea, and Hong Kong became the National Committee of the Young Men's Christian Association of China.
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China has its own professional development pipelines for basketball players
China has a rich history with basketball, dating back to its introduction in the late 1890s by the Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA). Since then, the sport has flourished in the country, with China competing internationally as early as 1913.
In more recent times, China has established its own basketball development pipelines, with the NBA also playing a significant role in fostering young talent. The NBA China organisation, established in 2008, has been instrumental in this regard. In 2011, the CBA Dongguan Basketball School was launched in collaboration with Dongguan New Century, catering to players aged 12-17. This was followed by the opening of an after-school basketball program in Beijing in 2014, through a partnership between Yao Ming and NBA China.
However, China's most notable basketball development initiative came in 2016, with the launch of NBA academies in Urumqi, Jinan, and Hangzhou. These academies aimed to provide elite training for young players, with a focus on both their athletic and academic development. The NBA centres housed under-16 and under-16 teams, providing opportunities for competition and exposure to top-notch talent.
China has also witnessed the emergence of independent basketball academies and organisations, such as Pro Skills Basketball in Chengdu, which contributes to the country's basketball youth culture. Additionally, the Asian University Basketball League (AUBL) was established with the goal of fostering talent from top Asian colleges, including China, and creating a platform for the NBA to scout the next generation of Asian basketball stars.
While China's basketball development pipelines have faced some challenges, including allegations of human rights abuses and competition from other leagues, the country remains committed to fostering young talent and strengthening its position in the world of basketball.
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Frequently asked questions
There are three NBA academies in China, located in Urumqi, Jinan, and Hangzhou.
The NBA academies were launched to foster a more holistic training environment for young athletes in China. The academies are staffed with NBA-trained coaches and provide elite prospects with scholarships and training.
In addition to the academies, the NBA has launched various initiatives to support the growth of basketball in China. For example, in 2011, the CBA Dongguan Basketball School was opened for players aged 12-17. In 2014, Yao Ming collaborated with NBA China to open the first after-school basketball program in Beijing. The NBA has also integrated an exercise and basketball development curriculum into schools across the country.
