China’s national team ratings are out! Hu Hetao ranked at the bottom, drawing criticism, while Yan Junling topped the team with a 7.3 rating. Three substitutes also impressed with strong performances.

(Beijing, March 31) The Chinese Basketball Association has reportedly held a reform meeting regarding the domestic league system, with proposed changes to the CBA and NBL sparking widespread discussion.

According to media reports, the reform will be implemented in three phases:

• 2025–2027: Transition and preparation phase
• 2027–2029: Pilot operation phase
• From 2029 onward: Full implementation

A key highlight of the reform is the introduction of a structured promotion and relegation system. Starting from the 2026–27 season, a playoff mechanism between CBA and NBL teams will be established.

Proposed format:

• The bottom four CBA teams will face the top four NBL teams that meet league entry requirements;
• Matches will be played either in a home-and-away knockout format or centralized tournament style;
• Final standings will determine promotion and relegation.

Competition rules include:

• Consistent roster regulations, with foreign player usage set at “7 appearances across 4 quarters”;
• Strict admission criteria, including compliance checks, negative-list screening, and a “one-vote veto” system to ensure league standards.

Based on current standings, the bottom four CBA teams include Nanjing Tongxi, Jiangsu Kendiya, Tianjin Pioneers, and Sichuan Fenggu Winery. Meanwhile, the top NBL teams are Hong Kong Bulls, Hefei Kuangfeng, Shanghai Xuanniao, and Jiangsu Jingyu.

Notably, NBL teams have already shown competitiveness in recent competitions. Both Hefei Kuangfeng and Hong Kong Bulls recorded wins over CBA teams in the Club Cup, with the latter coming close to reaching the quarterfinals—highlighting a narrowing gap between the two leagues.

If successfully implemented, these reforms could significantly reshape the structure of professional basketball in China.