Teams
Al Manama
Al Sharjah
Al Arabi Qatar
Al Muharraq
Hitech Bangkok
Punjab Police
SAFSA
Singapore Sin Hua Sports Club
Red Baron Club
Fubon Braves
Al Shabab UAE
Mono Vampire Basketball Club
Al Shamal
Pelita Jaya Jakarta
Nizwa
Uhud
Al Seeb
Al Rayyan
Al Ahli Bahrain
Al Ittihad Saudi Arabia
Liaoning Flying Leopards
Al Riyadi Beirut
Wikipedia - Basketball Champions League Asia
The Basketball Champions League Asia (BCL Asia), formerly the FIBA Asia Champions Cup, is an annual continental club men's basketball competition organised by FIBA Asia. It is the highest level club competition for basketball in Asia.
Introduced in 1981, as the Asian Basketball Club Championship, the competition rebranded in 2004 to the FIBA Asia Champions Cup. In 2024, the tournament was renamed as the Basketball Champions League Asia.
Al Riyadi and Sagesse from Lebanon are the most successful teams in the history of the competition with three championships each. Lebanese and Iranian clubs have won the most titles with a total of six among teams from each of these countries.
History
The competition was first organised by the Asian Basketball Confederation in 1981, when the inaugural tournament was hosted in Hong Kong. The first-ever champions were the Bayi Rockets from China. In 1995, the name of the competition was changed to the ABC Champions Cup. After the ABC became integrated in FIBA in 2004, the competition was rebranded as the FIBA Asia Champions Cup.
In the 1990s, FIBA announced plans to expand the Intercontinental Cup with the teams from the BCL Asia, Basketball Africa League (BAL), NBL, and the NBA, at some point in the future.
In 2024, it was announced that the tournament will be renamed as the Basketball Champions League Asia, a name in line with other continental competitions in the Americas and Europe.
Al Riyadi Club Beirut and Sagesse from Lebanon are the most successful clubs in the history of the competition, having won three titles each. Clubs from Lebanon and Iran have the most combined titles, with a total of six each.
The tournament showcases the immense talent and skill of Asian basketball, featuring teams from various countries such as China, Japan, South Korea, Iran, and the Philippines, among others. These teams are composed of top-notch professional players who are known for their exceptional athleticism, strategic gameplay, and fierce competitiveness.
The FIBA Asia Champs Cup Qual offers a thrilling display of fast-paced, high-intensity basketball action. Spectators can expect to witness electrifying dunks, pinpoint three-point shooting, and impressive defensive maneuvers as teams battle it out on the court.
The tournament follows a round-robin format, where each team competes against one another in a series of intense matches. The top-performing teams from the qualifiers will earn their spot in the prestigious FIBA Asia Champions Cup, where they will face off against other elite teams from around the continent.
Not only does the FIBA Asia Champs Cup Qual provide an opportunity for teams to showcase their skills and compete for a chance to represent Asia in the FIBA Asia Champions Cup, but it also serves as a platform for fostering camaraderie and sportsmanship among players and fans alike.
Basketball enthusiasts and sports fans can look forward to an unforgettable experience as they witness the passion, dedication, and sheer talent of these teams. The FIBA Asia Champs Cup Qual promises to be a thrilling and memorable tournament that celebrates the spirit of basketball and the rich diversity of Asian basketball talent.