Quite the hoop-la: Macao revels in NBA's China return

"I haven't heard those types of cheers and (felt such) love in a very long time, probably since my college days with Kentucky, so I think it's important for us, and the NBA, to get back over here," said the sharpshooting 28-year-old, who drew swarms of fans everywhere he appeared in Macao.

"You guys do so love the game, and we'd expected that, but it was on a whole other level (to actually come and play here)."

Adding to the authentic NBA experience, the appearance of a homegrown player on the preseason trip, with Brooklyn's training camp prospect Zeng Fanbo featuring in both games, has rekindled Chinese fans' pride, enthusiastically rooting for their own in the world's most competitive league, while dishing out an inspiring message to China's next generation of talent.

"Our predecessors have proven it can be achieved, I hope the younger generation will be as motivated as I am to pursue their dreams of making it to the NBA," Zeng said after playing 10 minutes for the Nets off the bench in the first game.

Before Zeng with Brooklyn, only three other Chinese players had suited up at previous editions of the NBA China Games, with Hall of Famer Yao Ming featuring for the Houston Rockets in 2004 and 2010, his former national teammate Liu Wei playing with the Sacramento Kings in 2004 and, in 2018, forward Ding Yanyuhang playing with the Dallas Mavericks.

Currently only one Chinese player, the Portland Trail Blazers' rookie center Yang Hansen, is on a guaranteed contract with an NBA franchise and gearing up for the 2025-26 regular season.

Thanks to a new collaboration signed between the NBA and the Chinese Basketball Association in Macao, more Chinese players are expected to follow suit in plying their trade in the top-tier league in the near future.

Through the extended partnership, inked by CBA president Guo Zhenming and NBA commissioner Adam Silver on Friday, more opportunities for the Chinese men's and women's national teams to train and compete in the United States, either in the NBA Summer League or preseason WNBA games will be facilitated by the NBA.

The league will also offer top Chinese prospects the opportunity to grow their individual game on NBA talent development programs, such as Basketball Without Borders camps, the NBA Academy and tryouts conducted by NBA, WNBA and NBA G-League teams.

The agreement will focus on improvement of Chinese coaches and referees, as well, helping them catch up with the world's best through training programs held in the US, China and online. Since 2009, NBA China and the CBA have collaborated in assisting more than 3,500 coaches, players and referees through a variety of programs and initiatives.