https://www.scmp.com/rss/328482/feed Hong Kong and international basketball news, match reports and fixtures. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Associated Press Associated Press Former NBA player and assistant coach Damon Jones is set to plead guilty on Tuesday to charges he cashed in on rigged poker games and gave sports bettors non-public injury information about stars, including his one-time teammate LeBron James. Barring a last-minute change, Jones will become the first person to plead guilty in a gambling sweep that led to the arrests of more than 30 people, including reputed mobsters and other basketball figures. None of the other defendants have shown a... https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3351669/ex-nba-player-damon-jones-plead-guilty-gambling-sweep-saw-more-30-arrests?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3351669/ex-nba-player-damon-jones-plead-guilty-gambling-sweep-saw-more-30-arrests?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 28 Apr 2026 11:00:10 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press The NBA and Fiba are in the process of going through bids from those seeking franchises for a new league in Europe, with multiple potential ownership groups from all 12 of the league’s targeted cities expressing interest. Mark Tatum, the NBA deputy commissioner, said the association and world governing body “were very, very happy” with the interest shown by the bids. The new league could begin in October next year. “Right now, we’re just going through that process of narrowing down those bids... https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3351643/nba-fiba-checking-bids-potential-team-owners-new-euro-league-eye-2027-start-date?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3351643/nba-fiba-checking-bids-potential-team-owners-new-euro-league-eye-2027-start-date?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 28 Apr 2026 04:20:53 +0000 Agence France-Presse,Associated Press Agence France-Presse,Associated Press Reigning NBA Most Valuable Player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander headlined the finalists announced on Sunday for this year’s award alongside San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama, a first-time candidate, and Denver’s three-time MVP Nikola Jokic. And for the eighth consecutive year, the MVP will be an international one. Gilgeous-Alexander, who beat out Jokic and Giannis Antetokounmpo in the voting last year and was also named NBA Finals MVP as the Thunder beat Indiana for the trophy, averaged more... https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3350714/nba-mvp-wembanyama-named-first-time-finalist-past-winners-gilgeous-alexander-jokic?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3350714/nba-mvp-wembanyama-named-first-time-finalist-past-winners-gilgeous-alexander-jokic?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 20 Apr 2026 11:00:09 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan Young basketball players from a Hong Kong secondary school will compete against the very best in the region when the NBA Rising Stars Invitational returns to Singapore in June. The as-yet unnamed local school will be chosen based on its strong basketball credentials and results. The tournament will feature 12 boys’ and 12 girls’ high-school teams aged 18 or under from across Asia-Pacific. NBA champion Jeremy Lin will headline the summer event and interact with the participants throughout the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3349994/hong-kong-school-invited-compete-nba-rising-stars-invitational-first-time?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3349994/hong-kong-school-invited-compete-nba-rising-stars-invitational-first-time?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 15 Apr 2026 01:00:10 +0000 Stephy Zhang Stephy Zhang Li Yize, a core member of China’s under-18 basketball team, is facing allegations of age and identity fraud, reigniting long-standing public distrust in the domestic sports system. The controversy erupted following China’s 73-59 exhibition win over New Zealand on Friday, when Li recorded 20 points, nine rebounds and seven assists. Despite his stand-out performance, fans online pointed out a striking resemblance between Li, whose listed birth date is March 27, 2008, and a player named Zhang... https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3349795/fans-outraged-china-u18-basketball-player-faces-allegations-age-identity-fraud?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3349795/fans-outraged-china-u18-basketball-player-faces-allegations-age-identity-fraud?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 12 Apr 2026 09:30:31 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan Ex-NBA star Yao Ming has taken his first foray into basketball investment in almost a decade, joining a host of global heavyweights in backing a fledgling regional college competition. The Asian University Basketball League (AUBL) concluded its Series A funding round, typically used to generate cash for development and expansion, on Thursday. Blue Pool Capital, the family office of Brooklyn Nets owner Joe Tsai, led the round, which built on the Alibaba co-founder’s seed investment last May.... https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3349492/ex-nba-star-yao-ming-proud-support-asian-university-basketball-league-investment?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3349492/ex-nba-star-yao-ming-proud-support-asian-university-basketball-league-investment?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 09 Apr 2026 13:00:09 +0000 Stephy Zhang Stephy Zhang Chinese basketball star Guo Ailun has reportedly been scammed of almost 10 million yuan (US$1.45 million) by an acquaintance, with his family reporting the incident to police. A mainland sports media outlet reported on Sunday night that Guo and his family were allegedly victims of a large-scale fraud perpetrated by a close friend, and there was currently no clear word on whether the missing funds could be recovered. The “friend” reportedly induced Guo to transfer almost 10 million yuan under the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3349157/china-basketball-star-guo-ailun-reportedly-loses-almost-10-million-yuan-investing-scam?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3349157/china-basketball-star-guo-ailun-reportedly-loses-almost-10-million-yuan-investing-scam?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 06 Apr 2026 09:30:08 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan South China are aiming to make an impact when their Basketball Champions League Asia campaign begins next week, and have some old faces on hand to help their cause. Playing in their first overseas competition in more than 40 years, the Hong Kong side have temporarily brought back four former players to bolster their line-up. Dominic Gilbert and Glen Yang have come in from A1 Division rivals Hong Kong Eastern, Leung Shiu-wah returns from Winling, while Tsai Choi-kwan comes back from Tycoon. The... https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3349032/south-china-bringing-back-some-old-hands-they-start-champions-league-asia-campaign?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3349032/south-china-bringing-back-some-old-hands-they-start-champions-league-asia-campaign?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 04 Apr 2026 09:35:07 +0000 dpa dpa The National Basketball Association (NBA) has received offers of more than US$1 billion for the right to play in its planned European competition, NBA Europe. Sources close to the process said there had been several offers in the range of US$500 million to US$1 billion, with some exceeding US$1 billion. They come from around 120 investors, including existing teams and those currently playing in the privately organised EuroLeague. The NBA Europe, set up by the NBA and world governing body Fiba,... https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3348707/nba-europe-attracts-us1-billion-bids-more-120-investors-showing-keen-interest?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3348707/nba-europe-attracts-us1-billion-bids-more-120-investors-showing-keen-interest?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 02 Apr 2026 02:00:13 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan A city in China will be announced as one of seven host cities for a global basketball season over the course of the next few weeks, the South China Morning Post has learned. League executives confirmed that the “vast majority of events” of Project B, the new women’s and men’s basketball league that will begin in November and run until April next year, will take place in Asia and Europe during its debut season. Tokyo, the fourth stop on the circuit, was first announced in January. Valencia, the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3348373/chinese-city-be-named-among-7-host-cities-new-basketball-league-project-b?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3348373/chinese-city-be-named-among-7-host-cities-new-basketball-league-project-b?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 30 Mar 2026 07:17:21 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan Hong Kong Eastern are expected to enter multiple regional basketball tournaments next season after becoming domestic champions for the third time in franchise history. Securing the A1 Division crown earned the team a spot in the Basketball Champions League Asia (BCLA), while a third run in an expanded East Asia Super League (EASL) is also on the cards. With the local league and Senior Shield running from August to March, the EASL from October to March and BCLA qualifiers starting April, the team... https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3348297/third-title-has-hong-kong-eastern-eyeing-greater-basketball-test-regional-competition?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3348297/third-title-has-hong-kong-eastern-eyeing-greater-basketball-test-regional-competition?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 30 Mar 2026 02:01:03 +0000 Paul McNamara Paul McNamara She won Olympic gold in Beijing while carrying her first child, but it was playing club basketball in mainland China that allowed Candace Parker “to take care of my family”. A WNBA champion with three different franchises in the United States, Parker had spells with Guangdong Dolphins and Xinjiang Magic Deer between 2016 and 2018. Also a veteran of six seasons in Russia and one in Turkey, Parker, in Hong Kong exploring opportunities to add to her broad investment portfolio, told the South China... https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3347886/american-basketball-star-candace-parker-grateful-chance-play-mainland-china?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3347886/american-basketball-star-candace-parker-grateful-chance-play-mainland-china?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 25 Mar 2026 12:00:11 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse The Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) and the league’s players’ union said Friday they had reached a tentative agreement on a “groundbreaking” seven-year labour deal after months of tense negotiations. The new collective bargaining agreement (CBA), which will commence with the 2026 season and run through 2032, will see the salary cap skyrocket from US$1.5 million to US$7 million in 2026 and will adjust annually based on league and team revenue growth, the league and union said in a... https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3347410/wnba-players-union-agree-groundbreaking-7-year-labour-deal-after-months-negotiations?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3347410/wnba-players-union-agree-groundbreaking-7-year-labour-deal-after-months-negotiations?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 21 Mar 2026 05:52:53 +0000 Stephy Zhang Stephy Zhang China’s women had already reached this year’s Fiba Basketball World Cup by the time they came up against the Czech Republic on Sunday, but there was no chance of their going easy. Gong Luming’s side powered to an 84-74 victory, sealing their third win of the play-in tournament in some style, and putting the finishing touches to a qualification secured by Brazil’s 76-73 win over Mali hours earlier at Wuhan Sports Centre Gymnasium. The win took China to second in the standings before they face the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3346747/womens-basketball-world-cup-china-get-through-qualifiers-want-be-better-team?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3346747/womens-basketball-world-cup-china-get-through-qualifiers-want-be-better-team?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 16 Mar 2026 13:00:08 +0000 SCMP Sport SCMP Sport Hong Kong basketball officials say they have not given up hope of getting the city’s teams into the Asian Games, despite organisers cutting the numbers of associations taking part. The tournament at September’s Games in Japan has been reduced from 16 teams to 12 for the men and kept at 12 for the women. Regional rankings will be used to determine who plays, and Hong Kong’s men and women are 26th and 21st respectively, leaving them significantly short of qualifying. But in a statement published... https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3346433/hong-kong-basketball-not-giving-asian-games-spot-top-official-says?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3346433/hong-kong-basketball-not-giving-asian-games-spot-top-official-says?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 13 Mar 2026 02:52:47 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan One of the best overseas basketball players to compete in Hong Kong believes imminent change is needed if the sport is to survive in the city. Former Canadian international Tyler Kepkay, considered by many to be the best import of the past 30 years, said a “collective effort” was required after decades of neglect. But the newly retired 38-year-old also believed there was reason to be optimistic, pointing to the passion for the game at the grass roots level and the opportunities that exist just... https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3346189/copy-nba-make-hong-kong-basketball-chinas-g-league-save-sport-city-local-star-says?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3346189/copy-nba-make-hong-kong-basketball-chinas-g-league-save-sport-city-local-star-says?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 11 Mar 2026 09:30:07 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan China get another chance to qualify for the Fiba Women’s Basketball World Cup this week, and will have home fans roaring them on. Gong Luming’s side will play five matches in seven days in a six-team tournament in Wuhan and need to finish in the top three to reach September’s tournament in Berlin. An opener against Mali on Wednesday will be followed by ties against the already qualified Belgium, South Sudan, the Czech Republic and Brazil at the Wuhan Sports Centre Gymnasium. Centre Han Xu, a key... https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3345988/chinas-big-four-back-another-shot-reaching-womens-basketball-world-cup?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3345988/chinas-big-four-back-another-shot-reaching-womens-basketball-world-cup?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 10 Mar 2026 00:00:27 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan Naturalising players, hiring overseas coaches and improving the standard and scale of local basketball could “save” the sport in Hong Kong, players, basketball officials and executives said on Thursday. Earlier this week, the city’s men’s and women’s teams discovered their regional rankings of 26th and 21st respectively were not good enough to get them into the Asian Games in Japan. It will be the first time in more than 30 years that the men have missed the Games. For the women, it would have... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3345602/what-now-hong-kong-basketball-naturalised-players-expanded-league-among-suggestions?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3345602/what-now-hong-kong-basketball-naturalised-players-expanded-league-among-suggestions?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 06 Mar 2026 00:00:12 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan Hong Kong’s omission from this year’s Asian Games basketball tournament came as a complete shock, the city’s stunned players said on Tuesday, even though officials knew it might happen. A day after organisers revealed they were cutting the number of men’s teams to a 24-year low of just 12, while leaving the women’s competition at the same number, players from both squads said while they had been left in the dark they were “sad but not surprised”. And sources said the sport’s governing body in... https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3345320/hong-kong-basketball-players-sad-not-surprised-after-learning-about-games-axe?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3345320/hong-kong-basketball-players-sad-not-surprised-after-learning-about-games-axe?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 04 Mar 2026 00:00:14 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan Hong Kong will not be sending men’s or women’s basketball teams to this year’s Asian Games in Japan, after organisers slashed the number of teams to the lowest in more than 20 years. And while there was a last-minute reprieve three years ago in Hangzhou, it seems unlikely that will happen this time around, with just 12 teams per gender invited to take part. For the men, who had 16 teams competing in Hangzhou three years ago compared with the women’s 12, it is the smallest field since the 2002... https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3345166/asian-games-basketball-axe-leaves-hong-kong-teams-outside-looking?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3345166/asian-games-basketball-axe-leaves-hong-kong-teams-outside-looking?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 02 Mar 2026 13:00:14 +0000 Ada Li Ada Li The International Basketball Federation (Fiba) has apologised to China’s national team and their fans after describing their victory over Japan as “a sneaky win” on social media. China came from behind to beat hosts Japan 87-80 in their Fiba Basketball World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers match on Thursday in Okinawa, overturning a 14-point deficit in the second half. After the game, the sport’s governing body posted the result on its official social media platforms with the caption: “Drama in... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3344986/basketball-world-governing-body-apologises-china-after-calling-win-over-japan-sneaky?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3344986/basketball-world-governing-body-apologises-china-after-calling-win-over-japan-sneaky?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 28 Feb 2026 15:00:12 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan South China have long dominated basketball in Hong Kong – now they are finally going to get the chance to test themselves against some of the region’s best. More than a year after winning a 17th domestic title, and over 40 since their previous foray into overseas competition, the club will take part in the qualifying stages of the Basketball Champions League Asia in April. They will not be eased into things either, with three home matches in four days at Southorn Stadium in Wan Chai. Starting... https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3344866/hong-kong-kingpins-south-china-face-tough-start-return-elite-regional-competition?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3344866/hong-kong-kingpins-south-china-face-tough-start-return-elite-regional-competition?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 27 Feb 2026 09:30:08 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan China has unearthed another towering teenage basketball player who can dunk with her feet barely leaving the ground and is being compared to NBA star Victor Wembanyama. At 14 years old, Cao Xichen is reportedly already 7ft 2in (2.20 metres) tall, a height that has forced her to give up volleyball, although that could be her new sport’s gain. While commentators have highlighted some flaws in her basic skills, understandable given she has only been playing the game for a couple of months, the teen... https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3343662/meet-chinese-teenager-already-being-compared-nba-star-victor-wembanyama?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3343662/meet-chinese-teenager-already-being-compared-nba-star-victor-wembanyama?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 16 Feb 2026 01:19:25 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan Change in local basketball could be on the cards after the announcement earlier this week that the man who had overseen the development of the sport in Hong Kong for more than three decades was stepping down. On Tuesday, the Basketball Association of Hong Kong, China (BAHKC), announced that its chairman, Norman Chan Shui-tim, had resigned because of “busy personal affairs”, with executive committee member Chan Chi-hung elected as his successor until 2027. “It’s not reasonable for one person to... https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3343309/hong-kong-basketball-chairman-norman-chan-steps-down-after-35-years-helm?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3343309/hong-kong-basketball-chairman-norman-chan-steps-down-after-35-years-helm?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 12 Feb 2026 10:00:16 +0000 Stephy Zhang Stephy Zhang Former Houston Rockets star Yao Ming believes Chinese players trying to make it in the NBA often lack the “survival instinct” needed to succeed compared with their rivals. The former head of the Chinese Basketball Association, who is one of his country’s most famous sporting exports, questioned whether players approached their time among the game’s elite with the right mindset. Speaking during the season premiere of the famous mainland television programme Thirteen Talks, Yao told host Xu... https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3342112/chinese-players-often-lack-survival-instinct-needed-thrive-nba-yao-ming-says?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3342112/chinese-players-often-lack-survival-instinct-needed-thrive-nba-yao-ming-says?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 02 Feb 2026 10:00:11 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan Hong Kong Eastern’s dream of reaching their first East Asia Super League (EASL) playoffs hangs by a thread heading into their final group match at home next week. Following their 83-74 away loss in Japan to Utsunomiya Brex last week, the city’s only professional basketball team must beat Brex by 10 points or more at Southorn Stadium on Wednesday. The team also have to hope the Japanese B League side beat Taipei Fubon Braves at home a week later, to ensure they advance to the six-team playoffs in... https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3341704/hong-kong-eastern-basketball-team-face-uphill-task-qualify-first-easl-playoffs?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3341704/hong-kong-eastern-basketball-team-face-uphill-task-qualify-first-easl-playoffs?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 30 Jan 2026 00:00:24 +0000 SCMP Sport SCMP Sport Chinese basketball prospect Yang Hansen was selected as one of the 28 players for next month’s Rising Stars Challenge on Monday. Featuring some of the best first- and second-year NBA talent, along with players from the NBA G League, the challenge is set to take place on February 13 at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles during NBA All-Star Weekend. Top draft pick in 2025 Cooper Flagg was also selected, along with Dylan Harper, VJ Edgecombe and Kon Knueppel. A No 16 draft pick by the Portland Trail... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3341353/chinese-basketball-prospect-yang-hansen-makes-nba-rising-stars-team-all-star-weekend?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3341353/chinese-basketball-prospect-yang-hansen-makes-nba-rising-stars-team-all-star-weekend?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 27 Jan 2026 05:35:41 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse LeBron James’ 21-year NBA All-Star Game starting streak came to an end on Tuesday after the Los Angeles Lakers star was excluded from the 10 starters named for next month’s midseason showpiece. The 41-year-old NBA icon, who has been named as an All-Star starter in every season since 2005, was the biggest omission from this year’s event, at the Los Angeles Clippers’ Intuit Dome on February 15. The 10 starters – five from the Western Conference and five from the Eastern Conference – will be joined... https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3340507/lebron-james-snubbed-nba-all-star-game-starter-first-time-21-years?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3340507/lebron-james-snubbed-nba-all-star-game-starter-first-time-21-years?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 20 Jan 2026 04:47:55 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press European basketball often is a hot mess of passionate fandom, heated rivalries and financial problems, and holding some powerful fiefdoms together is the EuroLeague. The European competition is not thrilled about the NBA’s plans to create a new competition on the continent. It is not concerned either. “We’ve only heard the plan or the fireworks of how amazing it will be, how much potential there is,” EuroLeague CEO Paulius Motiejunas said of the NBA’s proposed league. “But having a theory is one... https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3340257/euroleague-boss-slams-nbas-ambitious-european-plan-bit-broken-record?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3340257/euroleague-boss-slams-nbas-ambitious-european-plan-bit-broken-record?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 17 Jan 2026 10:00:19 +0000 Agence France-Presse,Tribune News Service Agence France-Presse,Tribune News Service One of the men behind a sweeping basketball match-fixing scheme told a co-conspirator the only certainties in life were “death, taxes and Chinese basketball”, US federal prosecutors revealed on Thursday. Twenty-six people have been charged with fixing US college and Chinese professional basketball games in an alleged transnational criminal conspiracy, federal prosecutors said. The indictment, filed in Philadelphia, includes bribery charges and relates to nearly 30 games in which conspirators... https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3340091/26-charged-latest-us-basketball-scandal-scheme-started-china-prosecutors-say?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3340091/26-charged-latest-us-basketball-scandal-scheme-started-china-prosecutors-say?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 16 Jan 2026 03:18:35 +0000 Reuters Reuters Pennsylvania federal prosecutors on Thursday announced charges against 26 people for allegedly rigging bets on college and Chinese professional basketball games, the latest case to accuse athletes of cheating at legalised sports betting that ⁠has exploded in popularity in the US. A 70-page indictment names more than a dozen former National Collegiate Athletic Association basketball players, a former NBA player and two sports-betting influencers who were previously charged in a sweeping NBA... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3340066/us-charges-20-people-rigging-university-chinese-basketball-games-nbc-reports?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3340066/us-charges-20-people-rigging-university-chinese-basketball-games-nbc-reports?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 15 Jan 2026 16:48:28 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press Project B, the new women’s and men’s basketball league, will make a stop in Tokyo in April 2027, the first city the organisation has officially announced. The tournament in Tokyo will be one of seven stops on Project B’s global circuit season format that begins in November and runs through April. Each city will host a 10-day event that crowns a local champion and feeds into a season-long championship race. There will be men’s and women’s tournament games in Tokyo at the Toyota Arena, from March... https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3339809/new-basketball-league-project-b-play-tournament-tokyo-featuring-wnba-stars?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3339809/new-basketball-league-project-b-play-tournament-tokyo-featuring-wnba-stars?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 14 Jan 2026 03:17:41 +0000 Bloomberg Bloomberg The National Basketball Association has prepared a pitch to investors on a new European league, targeting team valuations of up to US$1 billion, as it readied a pair of regular season games in London and Berlin. NBA commissioner Adam Silver will attend a pair of regular season games in London and Berlin starting on Thursday between the Memphis Grizzlies and the Orlando Magic. Both cities are likely to host a team in a league that could debut as early as next year, according to sources. The NBA... https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3339638/nba-targets-us1-billion-team-valuations-it-courts-investors-europe-league?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3339638/nba-targets-us1-billion-team-valuations-it-courts-investors-europe-league?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 12 Jan 2026 14:30:10 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan Basketball fans from around the world can now start planning their trip to Macau after the NBA announced the teams and dates for this year’s NBA China Games on Tuesday. Exclusively revealed by the Post last year, the Dallas Mavericks will play the Houston Rockets in two pre-season games at the Venetian Arena on October 9 and 11. The two upcoming matches will mark the second year of a five-year deal between the NBA and Sands China to host the China Games. The first edition last year featured the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3338788/dallas-mavericks-face-houston-rockets-during-pre-season-nba-china-games-macau?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3338788/dallas-mavericks-face-houston-rockets-during-pre-season-nba-china-games-macau?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 05 Jan 2026 23:41:04 +0000 Tribune News Service Tribune News Service What a difference a year makes. On Tuesday, in preparation for its busy slate of Christmas Day games, the NBA released a top-10 list of the most viewed players across all of its social media platforms this season. The league did this last year, too. At the time, Dallas Mavericks star player Luka Doncic did not appear in the top 10. Fast forward to this season, and now he is on top of it. Doncic is not only the most-viewed player in the NBA after his stunning midseason trade from the Mavs to the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3337649/who-are-nbas-most-viewed-players-and-where-does-rookie-cooper-flagg-rank?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3337649/who-are-nbas-most-viewed-players-and-where-does-rookie-cooper-flagg-rank?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 24 Dec 2025 14:00:09 +0000 Stephy Zhang Stephy Zhang Two men have been arrested after using AI to create a fake video of Chinese basketball star Wang Siyu accusing head coach Gong Luming of corruption, with some social media users fooled into thinking it was real. The five-minute video, titled “China women’s basketball star Wang Siyu denounces head coach Gong Luming”, has circulated online for nearly a month, with one reposted version gaining around 70,000 likes and more than 10,000 comments in two days. State media said the pair, both 32 years... https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3337457/pair-arrested-faking-ai-video-china-basketball-star-wang-accusing-coach-corruption?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3337457/pair-arrested-faking-ai-video-china-basketball-star-wang-accusing-coach-corruption?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 23 Dec 2025 09:30:08 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press The NBA has reminded its teams it wants to control which types of bets are offered on its games, an indicator it will continue negotiating with sportsbooks and regulatory agencies to make that happen. In a move about two months after the arrests of Miami guard Terry Rozier and Portland coach Chauncey Billups on separate gambling-related charges, the league acknowledged that what was announced on Friday was to “further promote understanding of and adherence to the league’s betting rules.” A copy... https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3337183/nba-tweaks-its-injury-reporting-rules-still-wants-changes-prop-betting?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3337183/nba-tweaks-its-injury-reporting-rules-still-wants-changes-prop-betting?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 20 Dec 2025 10:37:20 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan Hong Kong Bulls moved a step closer to playing in the top flight of Chinese basketball after the city’s government said it could use Kai Tak Arena between 2026 and 2027 to host several home games. A spokeswoman for the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau (CSTB) said it had spoken to the Bulls regarding the 2026-27 Chinese Basketball Association season, and had helped in the Bulls’ discussion with Kai Tak Sports Park (KTSPL). According to the sports park, there were 12 slots available for the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3336913/hong-kong-bulls-may-be-step-closer-cba-league-after-kai-tak-lined-host-games?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3336913/hong-kong-bulls-may-be-step-closer-cba-league-after-kai-tak-lined-host-games?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 18 Dec 2025 09:30:10 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press Cooper Flagg scored the most points by an 18-year-old in NBA history, but he could not enjoy the accomplishment because it came in a loss. Flagg had 42 points – topping the previous mark of 37 set by LeBron James on December 13, 2003 – in a 140-133 loss to the Utah Jazz on Monday night. “Obviously we didn’t win. So it’s tough for me to want to be happy, or any of that, but obviously it’s a success,” said Flagg, who had a bag of ice on his ankle after rolling it at the end of regulation... https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3336603/cooper-flagg-makes-nba-history-42-point-game-laments-mavericks-loss-jazz?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3336603/cooper-flagg-makes-nba-history-42-point-game-laments-mavericks-loss-jazz?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 16 Dec 2025 07:12:33 +0000 SCMP Sport SCMP Sport The East Asia Super League (EASL) announced a multi-year clothing and footwear deal with Under Armour for players and teams on Friday. The 12-team basketball league features Hong Kong Eastern, who are playing in the EASL for the second year of a two-year deal this season. Eastern won half of their six group matches last season to finish third and missed out on the semi-finals in Macau. The league’s partnership with Under Armour also extends into EASL Future Champions, the league’s youth... https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3336305/east-asia-super-league-agrees-multi-year-deal-under-armour-players-and-teams?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3336305/east-asia-super-league-agrees-multi-year-deal-under-armour-players-and-teams?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 13 Dec 2025 03:05:28 +0000 Jean Iau Jean Iau Former National Basketball Association (NBA) centre Jason Collins, who has a deadly form of brain cancer, is undergoing an experimental treatment in Singapore, with those involved in the trial hailing the city state’s reputation as a medical innovation hub. Collins, the first openly gay man to play in a major US professional sports league, said on Thursday in an ESPN interview that he had stage 4 glioblastoma and was pursuing innovative treatment in a clinic in Singapore, where he got approval... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/health-environment/article/3336290/ex-nba-player-deadly-brain-cancer-singapore-new-treatment-heres-how-it-works?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/health-environment/article/3336290/ex-nba-player-deadly-brain-cancer-singapore-new-treatment-heres-how-it-works?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 13 Dec 2025 00:00:15 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press Yang Hansen, the 216cm (7ft 1in) rookie from China, made his first NBA start on Sunday for the Portland Trail Blazers. Hansen, picked 16th overall in last summer’s draft, moved into the starting line-up to face the Memphis Grizzlies after the Trail Blazers’ primary centres, Donovan Clingan and Robert Williams III, missed the game. Williams was a late drop-out because of illness and Clingan missed his second straight game with a left lower leg injury. The Grizzlies built a big lead in the first... https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3335572/chinas-yang-hansen-makes-first-nba-start-portland-trail-blazers?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3335572/chinas-yang-hansen-makes-first-nba-start-portland-trail-blazers?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 08 Dec 2025 06:11:22 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan China has announced plans aimed at encouraging foreign investment in domestic basketball, weeks after the NBA returned to the country and voiced an intention to expand its operations there. Among a package of sports development measures unveiled on Thursday, the General Administration of Sport of China (GASC) paved the way for an opening up of basketball by calling for the investment of high-quality foreign capital in domestic professional leagues and clubs. It also called for overseas league... https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3335247/after-nbas-return-china-calls-foreign-investment-domestic-basketball?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3335247/after-nbas-return-china-calls-foreign-investment-domestic-basketball?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 04 Dec 2025 15:11:52 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press The Women’s National Basketball Association and players union agreed to an extension of the current collective bargaining agreement to January 9 just before their current deadline ran out on Sunday night. Just like the previous extension, both sides have the option to terminate the extension with 48 hours’ advance notice. The two sides had announced a 30-day extension to the original October 31 deadline. That extension was set to expire Sunday night just before midnight. They met over the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3334740/womens-nba-and-players-union-extend-cba-deadline-january-9-talks-continue?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3334740/womens-nba-and-players-union-extend-cba-deadline-january-9-talks-continue?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 01 Dec 2025 06:49:41 +0000 Reuters Reuters The Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) is hurtling towards a potential lockout or strike with pay talks deadlocked ahead of Sunday’s deadline over the players’ push for a bigger share of the league’s explosive growth in revenue. The current Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) was due to expire on October 31, but has been extended to November 30. However, a deal appears increasingly unlikely, raising the prospect of a work stoppage that could disrupt the 2026 season. “They’ll... https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3334665/wnba-players-pushing-bigger-share-leagues-revenue-lockout-looming?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3334665/wnba-players-pushing-bigger-share-leagues-revenue-lockout-looming?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 30 Nov 2025 08:30:18 +0000 Reuters Reuters Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups pleaded not guilty in Brooklyn federal court on Monday in a sweeping criminal case accusing the NBA hall of famer of conspiring with the mafia to rig illicit poker games. The arraignment took place during a hearing for all 31 defendants in the case. Prosecutors say they orchestrated an elaborate scheme using pro athletes’ star power to lure victims to card games then cheat them using hi-tech equipment. Billups’ lawyer Marc Mukasey entered the plea on... https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3333984/portland-trail-blazers-coach-chauncey-billups-enter-plea-rigged-poker-games-case?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3333984/portland-trail-blazers-coach-chauncey-billups-enter-plea-rigged-poker-games-case?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 24 Nov 2025 12:43:49 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan Newly installed team captain Ivan Yang Bo-wen said he was “excited, pumped and thrilled” ahead of his men’s under-22 basketball clash with Shanghai at the National Games on Tuesday. Hong Kong open their home tournament against one of the two stronger opponents in the group – Beijing being the other – at the Coliseum, but star forward Yang said he did not feel nervous. “We’ve been prepping for so long, since the end of May, and in July we went to Beijing and Xinjiang for two weeks of lockdown... https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3332184/national-games-hong-kong-basketball-captain-says-team-ready-go-against-shanghai?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3332184/national-games-hong-kong-basketball-captain-says-team-ready-go-against-shanghai?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 11 Nov 2025 01:00:13 +0000 Paul McNamara Paul McNamara After the closing two years of his glittering career felt like they belonged in a feel-good film, basketball superstar Jeremy Lin said the two weeks after his recent retirement proved “very hard”. Lin became a global phenomenon during his 2012 breakout season with the New York Knicks. Seven years later, with the Toronto Raptors, he became the first Asian-American to win an NBA title. The 37-year-old crowned his life on court by claiming the 2024 and 2025 Taiwanese titles for a New Taipei Kings... https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3332041/nba-star-jeremy-lin-learning-live-without-buzz-looks-forward-new-challenges?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3332041/nba-star-jeremy-lin-learning-live-without-buzz-looks-forward-new-challenges?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 08 Nov 2025 11:00:10 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan The days of Hong Kong Eastern fighting for basketball glory on three fronts appear to be over, after senior officials said their only overseas matches would be in the East Asia Super League. Speaking at the team’s media day in Yuen Long on Tuesday, team officials believed reducing their commitments would yield more “positive” results compared to last season. And team leader Wilson Choi Fong-yue said reclaiming the domestic title they won in 2023 would be “the priority for us”. “We were unbeaten... https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3331497/eastern-opt-against-three-front-campaign-will-focus-regional-domestic-basketball-glory?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3331497/eastern-opt-against-three-front-campaign-will-focus-regional-domestic-basketball-glory?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 04 Nov 2025 10:14:41 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored a career-high 55 points to lead reigning champion Oklahoma City over Indiana 141-135 in double overtime on Thursday in a historic rematch of last season’s NBA Finals. Hours after the league was rocked by a massive illegal gambling probe, reigning NBA MVP Gilgeous-Alexander dragged the Thunder to victory. The Canadian added eight rebounds and five assists while hitting 15-of-31 shots from the floor and 23-of-26 free throws to lead a 45-of-51 Thunder effort from the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3330157/nba-shai-gilgeous-alexander-hits-career-high-55-thunder-double-overtime-win?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3330157/nba-shai-gilgeous-alexander-hits-career-high-55-thunder-double-overtime-win?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 24 Oct 2025 04:00:43 +0000