He Xining wins MVP, Xu Xin named Most Improved Player — Guangdong and Liaoning end season empty-handed

With the CBA regular season concluded, the league’s individual awards have been announced—highlighting a clear shift in competitive balance. Shenzhen emerged as one of the biggest winners, with He Xining claiming MVP, while import Smith secured Best Foreign Player honors.

Meanwhile, Xu Xin of Guangzhou Loong Lions won Most Improved Player, Hassan Whiteside took Defensive Player of the Year, Pang Zhenglin was named Rookie of the Year, and Lu Wei earned Coach of the Year.

Notably, traditional powerhouses Guangdong Southern Tigers and Liaoning Flying Leopards walked away empty-handed—no awards and no players in the All-CBA teams—marking a significant shift in the league’s hierarchy.

He Xining’s MVP season was well deserved: averaging 20.1 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 3.8 assists, he led Shenzhen to a 30–12 record and a third-place finish, including a remarkable 15-game winning streak.

Xu Xin’s breakout campaign also stood out. After moving from Guangdong to Guangzhou, he averaged 11 points and 8.3 rebounds with elite efficiency, attracting attention from NBA scouts.

The All-CBA First Team includes He Xining, Hu Jinqiu, Li Hongquan, Chen Yingjun, and Pang Zhenglin, while the Second Team features Xu Xin, Zhou Qi, Zhang Zhenlin, Gao Shiyan, and Lin Tingqian—without a single Guangdong or Liaoning player.

Injuries and inconsistent performance plagued both teams. Guangdong’s offseason reinforcements failed to deliver as expected, while Liaoning underwent coaching changes and roster instability, finishing only ninth.

For two historic giants, this season marks a turning point. With rebuilding underway, and younger talents rising, the CBA landscape is clearly evolving.