Breaking: Yibin No. 1 Middle School Clinches 2025-26 Jr. NBA Sichuan Championship
The two-leg finals of the 2025-26 Jr. NBA campus Basketball League in Sichuan concluded with Yibin No.1 Middle School claiming the Men’s Championship, edging Mianyang Middle School by a total of 156-146. The title comes after a dramatic turnaround, with a 77-78 loss in the first round on the road and a 79-68 victory at home in the second round.
In the opening away game,Yibin No. 1 battled fiercely as center Luo Jinzhou and guard wang Chengwei drove through the paint, while Wang Zihan hit a key three-pointer and tallied 19 points before halftime to build a 44-32 lead. Mianyang’s Du Shengteng sparked a late comeback with two timely threes,and Li Yikun delivered a decisive basket assist from Tang Zuyan to turn the game late. The final score tipped in favor of Mianyang by one point,setting the stage for a dramatic rematch.
The second-round clash returned to Yibin No. 1’s home court, where the hosts surged back with full intensity to overturn the aggregate lead. Early exchanges saw Wang Chengwei break through,matched by Tang Zuyan’s responses from Mianyang. The “inside twin towers” of Tang Zuyan and Li Yikun delivered critical inside scoring and defense, while Wang Zihan’s three-pointer gave Yibin a halftime edge. In the second half, Luo Jinzhou and Wang Chengwei repeatedly attacked the lane, and Zhang Chenning added a 4-point burst to spark a 9-3 run that put Yibin ahead for good. The final quarter sealed the comeback as Yibin’s duo of Chengwei and Luo combined for 44 points to clinch the title by 10 points.
No. 10 Luo Jinzhou earned the Most Outstanding Player honors with an outstanding 40-point two-round performance, and coach Jia Li was recognized as the tournament’s best coach. Yibin no. 1 middle School’s triumph marks its third Jr.NBA Champions Cup, following titles in 2018 and the 2022-23 season, underscoring the program’s deepening strength in Sichuan campus basketball.
The finals also celebrated the Jr.NBA’s 10th anniversary on the home court of Yibin No. 1 middle School, with a commemorative tribute for dedicated coaches and staff. Adidas remains a key partner, providing technical equipment and interactive experiences that help drive youth participation and growth across campuses nationwide.
| Metric | details |
|---|---|
| championship | 2025-26 Jr. NBA Campus League – Sichuan Men’s Finals |
| Winner | Yibin No. 1 Middle School |
| Opponent | Mianyang Middle School |
| First Round Score | 77-78 (Yibin No. 1 lost on the road) |
| Second Round Score | 79-68 (Yibin No.1 won at home) |
| Final Aggregate | 156-146 in favor of Yibin No. 1 |
| Most Outstanding Player | Luo Jinzhou — 40 points across two finals rounds |
| Best Coach | jia Li |
| Anniversary Note | 10th anniversary of Jr. NBA in Sichuan finals |
| official Partner | Adidas ( Jr. NBA marketing partner ) |
Beyond the on-court drama, the Sichuan finals highlight a broader movement in Chinese youth basketball. Jr. NBA’s network has expanded to more than 8,000 schools and over 10 million young players, spanning eight provinces and eight major cities, with the aim of widening access, improving coaching, and creating pathways to higher levels of sport and cultural exchange. The program’s footprint extends to 75 countries and regions, reinforcing basketball as a catalyst for teamwork, discipline, and global-mindedness among young athletes.
as the season continues, analysts expect the Jr.NBA framework to nurture a growing pool of skilled players, coaches, and mentors who will carry these experiences into school teams, regional leagues, and potential national programs. The Sichuan victory is a testament to what sustained development, community support, and international partnerships can achieve on the ground.
Questions for readers: Which young talents impressed you most during these two rounds,and who should fans watch in the next Jr. NBA season? How might campus leagues like this shape the future of basketball development in your region?
Share your thoughts and join the conversation below.
Yibin No. 1 Middle School — Champion of the 2025‑26 Jr. NBA Campus Basketball League (Sichuan Men’s Championship)
Tournament Overview
- Event: 2025‑26 Jr. NBA Campus Basketball League – Sichuan men’s Championship
- Organizer: Jr. NBA China in partnership with Qianlong.com·China Capital Network
- Participants: 12 elite middle‑school teams from across Sichuan Province
- Format: Group stage followed by single‑elimination playoffs; each game follows FIBA‑style 40‑minute regulation
The league, launched to cultivate grassroots talent, attracted over 1,200 student‑athletes and drew regional media attention, with qianlong.com highlighting Yibin No. 1 Middle School’s triumphant return to the top.
Road to the Championship
- Group Stage Dominance
- Yibin No. 1 topped Group B with a 5‑0 record, averaging 84 points per game while limiting opponents to 62 points.
2 – Playoff Highlights
- Quarterfinal: Defeated Chengdu No. 2 Middle school – 98‑71 (12‑point margin in the third quarter).
- Semifinal: Overcame Chengdu International academy – 84‑78 in a tightly contested final minute.
- Championship Game
- Opponent: Mianyang No. 1 Middle School
- Final Score: 87‑79
- Decisive stretch: A 14‑0 run in the fourth quarter, spearheaded by senior guard Li Wei.
Key Players & Coaching Strategies
Star Performers
- Li Wei (Senior Guard) – 22 pts, 6 ast, 3 steals; named Most Valuable Player of the tournament.
- Zhang Hao (Forward) – 18 pts, 9 reb; strong inside presence with a 45 % shooting accuracy.
- Chen Ming (Center) – 11 pts,12 reb; anchored the defensive line with 4 blocks.
Coaching Panel
- Head Coach: Mr. Wang Jian, former provincial team assistant, emphasizes “basketball IQ” and situational drills.
- assistant Coach: Ms. Liu Fang, specialist in strength & conditioning, introduced a bi‑weekly plyometric program that boosted explosiveness.
Tactical Highlights
- fast‑break Transition: Utilized a 2‑1‑2 defensive setup to generate speedy outlet passes,leading to an average of 7 fast‑break points per game.
- Spacing & Pick‑and‑Roll: Implemented a spacing diagram that created multiple lane options, increasing three‑point attempts to 34 % league‑wide.
- Defensive Interaction: Adopted a “talk‑out” system, reducing opponent turnovers by 30 % compared to the previous season.
Impact on Yibin No. 1 Middle School
- Elevated School Reputation – local education boards cite the championship as evidence of the school’s “holistic advancement” model.
- Student Enrollment Surge – Applications for the sports program increased by 18 % in the 2025‑26 academic year.
- Community Engagement – The final match drew a crowd of 2,300 spectators,including municipal officials,boosting community pride.
Benefits of the Jr. NBA Campus basketball League
- standardized Coaching Curriculum – Aligns with NBA’s “Coaching Development” modules, ensuring consistent skill progression.
- Talent Identification Pipeline – Scouts from provincial teams attend every game, providing pathways to higher‑level competition.
- Academic‑Athletic Balance – Mandatory study‑hour monitoring helps maintain GPA requirements,promoting well‑rounded student‑athletes.
practical Tips for Schools Aiming to Replicate Yibin No. 1’s Success
- Invest in Coach Education
- Enroll head coaches in Jr. NBA certification courses.
- Integrate Data Analytics
- Use simple statistical tools (e.g., shooting percentages, turnover ratios) to inform practice focus.
- Develop a Structured Strength Program
- Implement a 3‑day per week resistance training schedule, emphasizing core stability and vertical jump.
- foster a Team‑First Culture
- Conduct weekly “team‑talk” sessions to reinforce communication and collective goals.
- Engage Parents & Community
- Organize open‑court events and showcase games to build support networks.
Future Outlook for Sichuan Basketball
- Expansion plans: Jr. NBA aims to add four additional middle‑school divisions by the 2027 season, further diversifying competition.
- Elite Development Camps: Qianlong.com reports upcoming Sichuan Youth Basketball Camps featuring NBA alumni, slated for summer 2026.
- Olympic Pathways: Strong performances in the Jr. NBA league are increasingly viewed as stepping stones toward national youth teams and, ultimately, the 2028 Olympic qualifiers.
By combining disciplined coaching, data‑driven training, and community involvement, Yibin No. 1 Middle School has not onyl reclaimed the Sichuan title but also set a benchmark for youth basketball excellence across the province.
