CBA's nursery league ready for tip off

The NBA has the D-League to nurse its young stars, and the CBA has its equivalent in the National Basketball League (NBL).

Since debuting in 2009, the NBL has grown into a 10-team league that plays during the summer. It provides a stage for the country's future stars to gain some experience.

"Although it's not the top league in China yet, the NBL has a great potential to be an elite one in the future," said Chai Wensheng, deputy director of the league office, at the launch of the 2012 season in Beijing on Tuesday.

"First as the sub-league of the CBA and now an independent one, the NBL has injected a stream of new blood into the CBA and has built its own brand and market with the help of an increasing number of sponsors."

Despite its relatively low profile, the league has attracted more than 20 sponsors, including sportswear brand Li-Ning and SriLankan Airlines.

The league also renewed its partnership with Gansu Media Group, which broadcasts the games nationwide.

Providing more minutes for unseasoned players to hone their skills, the league has seen budding stars such as Beijing Ducks forward Zhu Yanxi emerge in recent years.

Retired guard Zheng Zhilong, the new coach of defending champion Jiangsu Tongxi, said the league is the cradle of future stars.

"I am so thrilled to start coaching in the NBL, just like when I debuted in the CBA decades ago," said Zheng, the first player from Taiwan in the CBA.

"A lot of youngsters can gain more experience on the court here rather than sitting on the bench in the CBA. I hope to see more stars emerge from here very soon."

The two-month regular season will tip off on June 1 with a Guangzhou derby between Liusui and Freeman.

Two new clubs, from Hong Kong and Nanjing, joined the league and will play the home-and-away format on the 2-games-a-week schedule.

A total number of 148 players, including nine foreign imports and 17 new Chinese players promoted from the reserve teams, have finished preseason drills and will slug it out in hopes of drawing attention from CBA scouts.

The top eight teams will advance to the playoffs, which will begin on July 3 with a best-of-three format in the first two rounds and best-of-five for the finals.

sunxiaochen@chinadaily.com.cn