ShanghaiKunming

ShanghaiKunming is a Chinese professional basketball team based in Shanghai, China, competing in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA). Originally founded in 2013 as the Shanghai Sharks, the team was later renamed to Shanghai Sharks Kunming in 2017 after a partnership with Kunming, a city in Yunnan Province. The name was later simplified to ShanghaiKunming in 2020 to reflect a stronger collaboration between the two regions.

The team plays its home games at the Shanghai Oriental Sports Center, a multi-purpose indoor arena located in the Pudong district of Shanghai. ShanghaiKunming has historically been known for its strong youth development system, which has produced several talented players who have gone on to play in the CBA and internationally.

In its early years, the team struggled with inconsistent performance, finishing in the lower half of the CBA standings multiple times. However, under new management and coaching staff, the team began to show improvement, particularly in the 2018–19 season, when it secured a playoff berth for the first time since its founding. Despite these efforts, ShanghaiKunming has yet to advance beyond the first round of the playoffs.

The team’s roster has included both Chinese and foreign players, with notable international contributors such as American guard Jameer Nelson, who played for the team during the 2018–19 season. ShanghaiKunming has also participated in the Asian Basketball League (ABL), though its performance in international competitions has been limited.

Beyond basketball, ShanghaiKunming has been involved in community outreach and youth basketball programs, aiming to promote the sport in Shanghai and Kunming. The partnership between Shanghai and Kunming also reflects broader efforts to strengthen cultural and economic ties between the two cities. The team continues to evolve, with ongoing efforts to enhance its competitiveness and fan engagement in the CBA.