The Australian National Basketball League drew up plans for a team in China -- which would be based part-time on the Gold Coast -- "to be up and running within two years," according to Nick Smart of the HERALD SUN. The NBL has sought approval from the Chinese Basketball Association and FIBA "for a new entity to join its competition." Under the bold proposal, a new NBL club -- made up predominantly of Chinese free agents playing with the permission of the CBA and some imports -- "would play out of major Chinese cities." It "would also have a strong connection with the Gold Coast, where it would play at least some of its home games and base itself while in Australia." NBL Exec Dir Larry Kestelman said adding a new team from China would be a “game-changer,” with future plans to also expand into the Philippines. Kestelman said, "We’re in the hands of the CBA and we have to always respect FIBA, and the ultimate decision will be with them and if they allow it." Kestelman said that "there was high-level interest on the Gold Coast for the league’s proposal." He said, "There’s a huge influx of interest from China on the Gold Coast, and a lot of property development and tourism happening with direct flights from all parts of China" (HERALD SUN, 5/19).
