In an electrifying night in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, the Fujian Sturgeons made a bold move by selecting Yang Xihao from Tsinghua University as the first overall pick in the 2025 CBA Draft. Born in 2002, Yang impressed scouts in the Chinese University Basketball League (CUBAL) with averages of 14.1 points and 8.6 rebounds per game. His 2.05-meter height and finishing skills have already set hearts racing among basketball fans. 🏀🔥
The draft night kept the momentum going as the Sichuan Blue Whales picked Du Zhibo with the second overall selection. Standing at 1.93 meters, Du racked up 16.2 points per game last season while showcasing improved passing and dribbling skills, making him a versatile asset in the guard positions.
The Jiangsu Dragons delivered another exciting twist by using the third pick on Pang Zhenglin from the Guangxi Rhinos of the National Basketball League (NBL). At 1.83 meters, Pang is known for his rapid first move and drive past defenders. He averaged an impressive 18.9 points and 5.7 assists per game in his nine appearances last season, playing a pivotal role in Guangxi's NBL title win two years ago.
This year’s draft saw a total of 21 players step into the spotlight, setting the stage for a thrilling 2025-26 CBA season scheduled to kick off in mid-October. With emerging stars like Yang Xihao lighting up the court, the future of Chinese basketball looks brighter than ever. Stay tuned for more action and behind-the-scenes updates! 🚀
Reference(s):
Fujian Sturgeons select Yang Xihao with first pick in 2025 CBA Draft
cgtn.com
