The Biggest Stars To Have Ever Played Basketball in Asia

Source: PIxabay

The Asian basketball scene has been blossoming for some time now. But despite that, the continent lags somewhat behind the rest of the world when it comes to an international presence. One only needs to look at the last two winners of the FIBA Asian Championship for proof of that.

The last two champions at the prestigious tournament were none other than Australia, a country that only plays in the zone due to their dominance in their own locality, namely Oceania. The Boomers have entered the competition twice, firstly in 2017 and then once again in 2022. In fact, they haven't lost a single game on the Asian stage, going a perfect 6-0 en route to the title on both occasions.

As such then, Asia still has some way to go before it can challenge for international honors. But on a domestic level, they have still managed to attract plenty of top-level players to their respective leagues. Here are the best ballers to have ever played in Asia.

Yao Ming

Is there anywhere else to start other than with Chinese behemoth Yao Ming? Standing at a whopping 7-foot-6, the Beast from the Far East quickly became a cultural icon and made his country fall in love with basketball. Many remember him for his stint in the NBA, where he would go on to become an eight-time all-star after being drafted first overall by the Houston Rockets in 2002.

There were plenty of skeptics before that year's draft, primarily because of Ming's nationality. However, he quickly silenced those who doubted the transition of international players to the NBA. And if they had watched him during his fledgling career in China before him traveling halfway around the world, they wouldn't have been surprised.

The giant center began his career in his homeland, breaking into the Shanghai Sharks first team as a teenager. He shot to prominence in his sophomore year, averaging over 20 points and 12 assists per game as he helped Shanghai sneak into the playoffs as the sixth seed. The following year, he was crowned the rebound’s leader, a title he wouldn't give up, winning it in his final three seasons in China before making the move to the NBA.

His penultimate campaign in the CBA was a stellar one. At the age of just 22, he averaged over 30 points and almost 20 rebounds as he secured the MVP award for the first time, but he wasn't able to lead the Sharks to glory. They powered past both Beijing sides in the playoffs to set up a Finals clash against the Bayi Rockets, but unfortunately for Ming, the Nanchang-based outfit had too much to handle and went on to claim their sixth straight title with a 3-1 series victory.

Ming spent another year in the league, and again, silverware would elude him. He then made the move to the Houston Rockets and went on to become one of the franchise's greatest-ever players, with the Texas side even retiring his famed number 11 jersey number. And how his former team could do with him in 2025.

The Rockets have had to endure a dismal time of it as of late and have missed out on the postseason in each of the last four seasons. Online betting sites reckon that miserable record could come to an end this season, however, with them currently sitting fourth in the Western Conference. Despite that, though, the latest odds from top sports betting sites in Canada don't consider them a championship contender, pricing them as a distant +5500 for the Larry O'Brien. Those odds would surely be shorter if Ming was still piling on the points in his prime.

Stephon Marbury

Once a household name in the NBA as a two-time All-Star, Stephon Marbury reinvented himself in China. The former Georgia Tech star became a big deal in the States when he was selected fourth overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 1996 draft. He secured all-star selections in 2001 and 2003, firstly with the Nets and then again with the Phoenix Suns. After that latter personal accolade, however, things began to take a downward spiral.

Marbury would bounce between the Celtics and the Knicks before being exiled from the league in 2009 at just 32 years of age. He still had plenty left in the tank, and he would find sanctuary in China firstly with the Shanxi Zhongyu Brave Dragons and then the Foshan Dralions. However, it was his move to the Beijing Ducks that would truly reinvigorate his career.

The former Yellow Jacket moved there in 2011 after two years in the CBA, and he went on to lead the capital city outfit to never-before-seen heights. The Ducks claimed three Chinese championships in four seasons between 2012 and 2015, with the American claiming the Finals MVP gong in the latter of those triumphs while winning the international MVP award in the former. But it wasn't just his ability on the court that endeared him to the natives.

Marbury became a beloved icon in Beijing as he seamlessly integrated into Chinese culture, learning the language and becoming a symbol of determination for billions. Nicknamed "Comrade Ma," Marbury’s name is etched in sporting history in the country.

His success sparked an influx of foreign players into the CBA, validating the league as a viable option for stars looking to continue their careers after being unceremoniously ousted from the States. Statues were built in his honor, a museum was created to document his basketball life, and his story even inspired a stage play. Marbury even coached in Beijing, leading the Royal Fighters for four years between 2019 and 2023.