The 2024 China Basketball Open (CBO) commenced its new season with a launch ceremony in Beijing on Tuesday. This year's event is inviting basketball enthusiasts from across the country, providing a platform for grassroots players to progress in their sport. Yi Jianhong, a celebrated CBA All-Star Slam Dunk Contest champion, emphasized the significance of this opportunity, sharing his own journey from grassroots to professional basketball and hoping to see talented individuals shine through this initiative.

Participants in the tournament will have the chance to compete in various stages, including regional qualifiers, division matches, and national finals. The structure includes championships for both men and women, ensuring a comprehensive competition setup. Xu Jicheng, the vice chairman of the Chinese Basketball Association, stated that this season marks a partnership with Huati Sports, reinforcing their collective mission of promoting "Basketball for the People."

Since its inception in 2005, the CBO has been instrumental in cultivating grassroots basketball across China, recognized for its expansive scale and systematic competition format. The tournament encompasses a three-tier structure made up of national qualifiers, provincial competitions, and national finals, catering to millions of basketball fans nationwide. In addition to the main tournament, the events include the Beijing World Chinese Basketball Tournament and other competitions, further enhancing grassroots engagement.

The CBO is organized by the Chinese Basketball Association in collaboration with various stakeholders, bringing together government entities and private enterprises to encourage participation across communities. The initiative aims to stimulate interest in basketball throughout the nation, laying the groundwork for future talent development and fostering a vibrant sporting culture.