Visitors try shooting hoops during a basketball-themed exhibition at Dongguan Exhibition Center on Nov 12. WEI XIAOHAO/CHINA DAILY

Deep integration

Li also emphasized the key role of investor Liang Zhibin, a well-known Dongguan entrepreneur, in the development of the sport. "The school isn't a business project in the traditional sense — commercial operations cover basic expenses, but profit isn't the goal. It's about passion and nurturing talent," he said.

"For us, producing top-level players who can serve the nation or the province is the greatest honor."

Liang also owns the Shenzhen Leopards, a CBA club founded in Dongguan, whose youth system is built around Dongguan Basketball School, continuing the flow of talent to the CBA.

Beyond specialized academies, public schools support the city's "closed-loop" pipeline. Dozens of basketball-focused schools — including Dongguan No 4 High School and Guangming High School — offer integrated training and competition opportunities.

Partnerships such as that between the Southern Tigers and Guangdong Experimental High School further refine the city's model of sports-education integration. Standout street basketballers and academy-trained players form a multilayered talent pool.