The Zhejiang Guangsha Lions have etched their name in Chinese basketball history, capturing their first-ever Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) championship in the 2024-25 season. After years of near misses, the Lions' triumph has earned them a debut appearance at the prestigious Basketball Champions League Asia (BCL Asia) in 2025, where they aim to extend their winning momentum.

The Lions secured their BCL Asia spot by clinching the CBA title, a historic first for the franchise. Their path to glory culminated in a dramatic six-game Finals series victory over the Beijing Ducks, with a decisive 125-118 win in Game 6 on May 20. This victory was particularly sweet, as the team had previously reached the CBA Finals in 2018 and 2022, only to be swept on both occasions by the Liaoning Flying Leopards. The 2024-25 season marked a turning point, underscored by a league-best 39-7 regular season record, which set the stage for their dominant postseason run.

While this year's BCL Asia marks the Zhejiang Guangsha Lions' inaugural participation, Chinese clubs have a storied legacy in the competition. Teams from China have claimed the continental crown four times and have reached the Final on nine occasions. However, the last Chinese victory was in 2017, when China Kashgar won the title. The Lions now have a significant opportunity to bring China back to the forefront of Asian club basketball and add another remarkable achievement to their already storybook season.

Central to the Lions' success is a formidable roster led by Barry Brown, the dynamic guard who was named CBA Finals MVP. In his debut season with the team, Brown averaged an impressive 28.0 points, 5.9 assists, and 2.0 steals per game during the regular season. His performance peaked in the playoffs, highlighted by a 41-point explosion in the championship-clinching game. Supporting Brown's offensive firepower are Nathan Knight, who provides a strong inside presence with 11.4 points and 7.8 rebounds per game, and late-season addition James Nunnally, who contributed reliable scoring with 12.7 points per contest and valuable international experience.