National Basketball League (China)
The National Basketball League is a professional basketball minor league in China, called the Chinese Basketball League before 2006. It is commonly known as the NBL, and this name is often used even in Chinese.
NBL is the second-tier league to the professional Chinese Basketball Association.
Teams
Current teams
Updated to the 2025-26 season.| Team | City | Province | Founded | Joined |
| Anhui Wenyi | Hefei | Anhui | 2013 | 2015 |
| Changsha Yongsheng | Changsha | Hunan | 2016 | 2017 |
| Hefei Storm | Hefei | Anhui | 2016 | 2016 |
| Hong Kong Bulls | Wan Chai | Hong Kong | 2023 | 2023 |
| Suke Lions | Yancheng | Jiangsu | 2021 | 2021 |
| Jiangxi Ganchi | Ganzhou | Jiangxi | 2023 | 2023 |
| Shijiazhuang Xianglan | Shijiazhuang | Hebei | 2015 | 2016 |
| Hubei Wenlv | Wuhan | Hubei | 2022 | 2022 |
| Shanghai Blackbird | Shanghai | Shanghai | 2025 | 2025 |
| Jiaozuo Cultural Tourism | Jiaozuo | Henan | 2025 | 2025 |
| Hangzhou Jingwei | Hangzhou | Zhejiang | 2025 | 2025 |
| Guizhou Raptors | Guizhou | 2025 | 2025 | |
| Shandong Honey Badger | Shandong | 2025 | 2025 | |
| Zhangjiakou Sport Cultural Tourism | Zhangjiakou | Hebei | 2025 | 2025 |
Name changes
Updated to 2023 National Basketball League Season.- Jianghuai Lightning → Fujian Lightning → Anhui PutianXingfa → Fujian Son of the Wind → Hefei Storm
- Guangxi Weizhuang
- Hebei Xianglan → Shijiazhuang Xianglan
- Hong Kong Bulls
- Hong Kong Xinlibao Bulls → Hongkong Xingda （2013）→ Shaanxi Xingda Northwestern Wolves （2014） → Shaanxi Weinan Xingda Northwestern Wolves （2015） → Shaanxi Xingda Northwestern Wolves （2016-2023）
- Hunan Yongsheng → Hunan Jinjian Rice Industry （2016-2019） → Changsha Jinjian Rice Industry （2020-2021）→ Changsha Wantian Yongsheng （2022-）
- Jiangsu Yannan Suke
- Jiangxi Ganchi
- Nanjing Military Region Yueda Great Wall → Eastern Army Yueda Great Wall → Eastern Yuanchuang Yueda Great Wall /Nanjing Lishui Yueda Great Wall → Hefei Yuanchuang （2015） → Luoyang Jinxing Flaming Horses （2016） → Luoyang Zhonghe Flaming Horses （2017-2018） → Luoyang Jinxing Haixiang Flaming Horses （2019）→ Hainan Jinxing Haixiang Flaming Horses （2020）→ Hainan Haikou Haixiang Flaming Horses （2021-）
- Wuhan Kunpeng
Former teams
Joined the CBA
- Yunnan Honghe Running Bulls – 2004, now defunct
- Dongguan New Century Leopards – 2005
- Zhejiang Guangsha Lions – 2006
- Qingdao Conson DoubleStar Eagles – 2008
- Tianjin Ronggang Gold Lions – 2008
- Sichuan Jinqiang Blue Whales – 2013
- Chongqing Wansheng Black Valley Fly Dragons – 2014
- Jiangsu Tongxi Monkey Kings – 2014
- Guangzhou Free Man → Chongqing Wansheng Black Valley Fly Dragons
Defunct teams
- Beijing Bucks
- Chongqing Huaxi International （2022）
- Guangzhou Whampoa Chateau Xingbao Liusui – 2013
- Guizhou Guwutang Tea White Tigers
- Hanzhou Yongtong – 2011
- Hebei Jidong Cement –
- Hebei Qingquan Running Horses – 2013
- Heilongjiang Daqing –
- Heilongjiang Zhaozhou Fengshen Sky Lions – 2014
- Hubei Marco Polo – 2014
- Hunan Changsha Bank [Park Lane Snow Wolves] – 2014
- Jiangsu Guoli Lions （2018）
- Jiangxi Xingye Flaming Horses – 2014
- Lhasa Pure Land – 2018
- Shanxi Yujin – 2006, merged with the Henan Renhe Dragons to form Shanxi Yujin Dragons
- Shenyang Dongjin – 2011
- Sichuan Shidai Glacier –
- Team Tianjin – no nickname or sponsor
- Weihai Xinli – 2013
- Wuhan Dangdai – 2021
- Xinjiang Tianshan Xiongying – 2023
- Yingkou Donghua Shenyang Army
Name changes
- Beijing Bucks → Beijing Capital Sports Shares Eastern Bucks → Beijing Bucks → Beijing Guoan Bucks → Beijing Bucks
- Jiangsu Hualan Royal Pandas （2016） → Chongqing Sanhai Lanling Royal Pandas （2017） → Chongqing Linglong Luntai （2018）→ Chongqing Huaxi International （2019-2021）
- Guizhou Shenghang Snow Leopards （2014-2017） → Guizhou Guwutang Tea White Tigers
- Dongguan Park Lane → Hunan Changsha Bank Park Lane Snow Wolves
- Guangzhou Whampoa Liusui → Guangzhou Whampoa Chateau Xingbao Liusui
- Henan Renhe → Shanxi Yujin
- Team Hubei → Hubei Marco Polo
- Jiangsu Guoli Lions （2012-2015）→ Jiangsu Guoli Qifu Lions → Jiangsu Guoli Lions （2018）
- Henan Jiyuan Iron and Steel → Henan Jiyuan Coal Industry → Henan Shedian Laojiu
History
Inaugural season
The first regular season of the CBL began in April 2004. Eight teams advanced to the playoffs:- Yunnan Honghe Running Bulls
- Yingkou Donghua Shenyang Army
- Hebei Jidong Cement
- Sichuan Shidai Glacier
- Shanxi Yujin
- Heilongjiang Daqing
- Dongguan New Century Leopards
- Team Tianjin – no nickname or sponsor