Latest news with #AUBL
South China Morning Post
2 days ago
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong college basketball system puts local teams at disadvantage, needs revamp: coach
Hong Kong's intercollegiate system needs an overhaul if the city's teams are to compete on an even footing against foreign teams, said the University of Hong Kong (HKU) men's team head coach, as they gear up for the Asian University Basketball League this week. James Chan Yik-lun said that while playing overseas in tournaments of higher standards could only bring positives, the 'extremely short' local season meant that Hong Kong college teams were underdone when they played against foreign opposition. This was shown starkly last week when HKU, the reigning local intercollegiate champions, flew to Tokyo for the three-day World University Basketball Series and came away last Monday with two landslide losses in as many days. HKU first fell 98-31 to the Japan University Select Team, before being humbled 102-48 by Taiwan's National Chengchi University. Chan, who guided his team to their title in April, said playing few games over the season was one reason for the heavy losses. HKU head coach James Chan (right) giving instructions to his players. Photo: Gym Aesthetics / WUBS HKU, who are are preparing to compete in the inaugural AUBL in Hangzhou, played only eight competitive matches – winning seven – over the entire season from last November to April, including beating Lingnan University 73-68 in the final at Southorn Stadium in Wan Chai to clinch their title.
Japan Times
30-05-2025
- Business
- Japan Times
League backed by Nets owner looks to raise profile of college basketball in Asia
The NCAA men's and women's basketball tournaments have morphed from mere sporting events into cultural phenomena in the United States. Each year from March until early April, talk of brackets, cinderellas, Sweet 16s and Final Fours fill the air as 'March Madness' rumbles to life on Selection Sunday and dominates the sports landscape until the champions cut down the nets. Thanks to the tournaments, college basketball becomes the most popular sport in the U.S. for about three weeks each year. Jay Li, the CEO and co-founder of the Asian University Basketball League (AUBL), which will launch later this year, sees the impact the NCAA tournament has in the U.S. and thinks: Why not in Asia, too?
Business Wire
22-05-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
College Hoops in Asia Soars With Launch of Asian University Basketball League (AUBL)
HONG KONG--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, the Asian University Basketball League (AUBL) announced a seed round investment led by Blue Pool Capital. The newly raised capital will fuel the AUBL's inaugural season in August 2025 and further the league's vision of unlocking the massive potential of college basketball in Asia. The AUBL is a pioneering pan-regional intercollegiate competition featuring Asia's most prestigious university basketball programs, anchored by top teams from Greater China, Japan, and Korea. The groundbreaking new league will bring the energy and excitement of university sports and 'March Madness' level fandom to the region, creating exciting rivalries and showcasing Asia's top talent to a global audience. The formation of the AUBL is sanctioned by the Asian University Sports Federation (AUSF), the governing body of university sports in Asia. In November 2024, the AUSF and Hong Kong-based sports holding company Realeague reached an exclusive strategic partnership to jointly create the new league. 'With close to 1 billion basketball fans in Asia, we see that the most untapped potential in the entire basketball ecosystem exists here at the college level,' said Jay Li, CEO and Co-Founder of the AUBL. 'Passionate fans, intense competitive energy and an incredible spirit of teamwork and sportsmanship are at the core of the sport's DNA. We aspire to build a history-defining league that will accelerate the sport's development and trajectory by bringing top collegiate teams from Asia together.' This summer, the AUBL is set to host its inaugural season through a single tournament format from August 18 – 24 in Hangzhou, China – a city renowned for blending AI innovation with cultural heritage. With 24 exciting games over the course of 7 days, Asia's 12 best college basketball teams will convene and compete for the first-ever AUBL Championship. Starting in 2026, the AUBL will present a full home-and-away season format that spans over 6 months, culminating in a 'Final Four' championship tournament at a pre-determined site. The list of participating universities in the AUBL's 2025 season includes the following institutions: Dongguk University (South Korea) Hakuoh University (Japan) Konkuk University (South Korea) National Chengchi University (Chinese Taipei) Nippon Sport Science University (Japan) Peking University (China) Shanghai Jiao Tong University (China) Taiyuan University of Technology (China) Tsinghua University (China) University of Hong Kong (Hong Kong, China) Yonsei University (South Korea) Zhejiang University (China) 'As a former student-athlete, I appreciate the value of college sports for both participants and their communities," said Joe Tsai. "In Asian society, top-tier universities are among the most recognized brands, and they easily translate into sports through the spirit of competition between schools. That's why I believe in the AUBL's vision. Asia's growing basketball market, rising talent, and increasing institutional support create the right conditions for a successful collegiate league.' About the Asian University Basketball League (AUBL) Sanctioned by the Asian University Sports Federation (AUSF), the Asian University Basketball League (AUBL) is a pan-regional intercollegiate basketball league spotlighting Asia's most prestigious university basketball programs, anchored by top teams from Greater China, Japan, and Korea. In 2025, the AUBL will take the format of an elite tournament from August 18-24 in Hangzhou, China. From 2026 onwards, the AUBL will present a full home-and-away season format. The AUBL provides a platform for elite student athletes in Asia to showcase their basketball talent while elevating the culture and development of Asian collegiate sports to the next level. For more information, please visit the official website:
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
College Hoops in Asia Soars With Launch of Asian University Basketball League (AUBL)
AUBL Scores Big with Investment from Blue Pool Capital Inaugural Season to Launch as an Elite Tournament Featuring Asia's 12 Best Teams this August in Hangzhou, China Pan-regional Home & Away Format to Debut in 2026, a Historic First for Asian College Basketball HONG KONG, May 22, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, the Asian University Basketball League (AUBL) announced a seed round investment led by Blue Pool Capital. The newly raised capital will fuel the AUBL's inaugural season in August 2025 and further the league's vision of unlocking the massive potential of college basketball in Asia. The AUBL is a pioneering pan-regional intercollegiate competition featuring Asia's most prestigious university basketball programs, anchored by top teams from Greater China, Japan, and Korea. The groundbreaking new league will bring the energy and excitement of university sports and "March Madness" level fandom to the region, creating exciting rivalries and showcasing Asia's top talent to a global audience. The formation of the AUBL is sanctioned by the Asian University Sports Federation (AUSF), the governing body of university sports in Asia. In November 2024, the AUSF and Hong Kong-based sports holding company Realeague reached an exclusive strategic partnership to jointly create the new league. "With close to 1 billion basketball fans in Asia, we see that the most untapped potential in the entire basketball ecosystem exists here at the college level," said Jay Li, CEO and Co-Founder of the AUBL. "Passionate fans, intense competitive energy and an incredible spirit of teamwork and sportsmanship are at the core of the sport's DNA. We aspire to build a history-defining league that will accelerate the sport's development and trajectory by bringing top collegiate teams from Asia together." This summer, the AUBL is set to host its inaugural season through a single tournament format from August 18 – 24 in Hangzhou, China – a city renowned for blending AI innovation with cultural heritage. With 24 exciting games over the course of 7 days, Asia's 12 best college basketball teams will convene and compete for the first-ever AUBL Championship. Starting in 2026, the AUBL will present a full home-and-away season format that spans over 6 months, culminating in a "Final Four" championship tournament at a pre-determined site. The list of participating universities in the AUBL's 2025 season includes the following institutions: Dongguk University (South Korea) Hakuoh University (Japan) Konkuk University (South Korea) National Chengchi University (Chinese Taipei) Nippon Sport Science University (Japan) Peking University (China) Shanghai Jiao Tong University (China) Taiyuan University of Technology (China) Tsinghua University (China) University of Hong Kong (Hong Kong, China) Yonsei University (South Korea) Zhejiang University (China) "As a former student-athlete, I appreciate the value of college sports for both participants and their communities," said Joe Tsai. "In Asian society, top-tier universities are among the most recognized brands, and they easily translate into sports through the spirit of competition between schools. That's why I believe in the AUBL's vision. Asia's growing basketball market, rising talent, and increasing institutional support create the right conditions for a successful collegiate league." About the Asian University Basketball League (AUBL) Sanctioned by the Asian University Sports Federation (AUSF), the Asian University Basketball League (AUBL) is a pan-regional intercollegiate basketball league spotlighting Asia's most prestigious university basketball programs, anchored by top teams from Greater China, Japan, and Korea. In 2025, the AUBL will take the format of an elite tournament from August 18-24 in Hangzhou, China. From 2026 onwards, the AUBL will present a full home-and-away season format. The AUBL provides a platform for elite student athletes in Asia to showcase their basketball talent while elevating the culture and development of Asian collegiate sports to the next level. For more information, please visit the official website: About the Investors Blue Pool Capital is the family office of Joe Tsai, Chairman of Alibaba Group and owner of the Brooklyn Nets and New York Liberty. View source version on Contacts For media inquiries reach out to: Johanna@ or Press@ Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
