DUBAI (UAE) - After years of coming close, the Zhejiang Guangsha Lions finally roared to the top of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) with a historic championship run in 2024-25. And now, they aim to carry that fire into their debut at the Basketball Champions League Asia (BCL Asia).
Guangsha sealed their spot in the prestigious BCL Asia 2025 by winning the CBA title - their first in franchise history. The Lions emerged triumphant in a dramatic Finals series against the Beijing Ducks, taking the crown in six games.
It was a milestone moment that had long eluded them. Twice they had reached the Finals (2018 and 2022), only to be swept each time by the powerhouse Liaoning Flying Leopards. But this season was different. Behind a league-best 39-7 regular season mark - the best in the CBA by a wide margin - Guangsha dominated their way through the postseason, culminating in a 125-118 Game 6 win to clinch the crown on May 20.
This year’s edition of BCL Asia marks the Lions’ first appearance in the tournament. Still, their nation carries a rich legacy in this competition. Chinese clubs have won the continental crown four times and made it to the Final nine times - although the last title came back in 2017 with China Kashgar’s victory in Chenzhou.
Now, the Lions have a golden opportunity to restore China’s presence atop Asian club basketball and add another chapter to their storybook season.
At the forefront of their rise is Barry Brown, the dynamic guard who earned CBA Finals MVP honors. In his first season with the Lions, Brown averaged 28.0 points, 5.9 assists, and 2.0 steals per game during the regular season. He only got better in the playoffs, including a 41-point masterpiece in the title-clinching game. Known for his killer instinct and explosive scoring, Brown will be one of the marquee names in this year’s BCL Asia.
Complementing him is Nathan Knight, who provides inside presence with his 11.4 points and 7.8 rebounds per game, while late-season acquisition James Nunnally added reliable scoring with 12.7 points per contest and plenty of international experience.
FIBA
