Hangzhou launch for Project B league in January just part of busy Chinese sports year

The newly founded basketball league Project B earlier this week announced the first stop of its inaugural global basketball grand prix: in Hangzhou in January next year.

While the debut of the global basketball tour has seen a slight delay – from its intended start this November – and the announcement of the Chinese host city came months later than anticipated, Project B is one of many major sporting events to be held in mainland China between now and the end of next year.

“China has always had incredible energy around basketball, and I’ve experienced that personally throughout my career,” said Russell Westbrook, who retired from the NBA in August before joining Project B as co-founder and chief strategy officer last month.

“Project B is connecting basketball with culture in each place we play. I have deep respect for the history and tradition here, and also the constant drive to create what comes next. This combination is powerful.”