Shooting stars aiming high in school league

The prep-to-pro model of player development that has produced NBA superstars like Kobe Bryant and LeBron James has long inspired young hoopsters in China to dream big early on.

Now a burgeoning high school league initiated by Nike is giving them an opportunity to enjoy their games like never before.

With a raucous crowd cheering them on at west Beijing's Wukesong Arena on April 30, there was an atmosphere reminiscent of the 2008 Beijing Olympics final staged under the same roof.