The National Basketball Association (NBA) plans to hold future China games in Hangzhou, says the association’s commissioner David Stern.

David Stern,National Basketball Association’s Commissioner

Stern was speaking in response to a question about the plans of cooperation between the under-construction Wukesong basketball arena, the NBA and the CBA at a press conference in Beijing.

But Hangzhou fans hoping to see live games on their home turf will have to wait a while. Stern said the NBA is currently focusing on Beijing, and other major cities for now.

“We are deeply involved with Wukesong Arena,” he said. “We are working closely with Shanghai and also keeping in close touch with Guangzhou.”

But Stern then went on to explain that NBA games will be held in cities such as Hangzhou when the necessary facilities are complete.

Hangzhou will begin the construction of its basketball arena. The venue will house 18,000 audiences, the same number as Beijing’s Wukesong Arena. It is expected to be completed within 3 years.

Hangzhou had to stand out in a fierce competition last year to be one of the twelve Chinese cities selected to be home to an NBA arena.

Negotiations with the NBA have made a great progress including the import of 5-6 preseason matches to Hangzhou.

By Chen Saiyan