The second Cun BA tournament opens in Zhuji, Shaoxing, on April 7. [Photo/Tide News]

With cheers echoing through the Jiyang College of Zhejiang A&F University basketball gym, over 4,000 fans witnessed the opening game of the two-month-long event.

Sending his regards via video, Chinese basketball icon Yao Ming lauded Zhuji's basketball culture, praising the city's deep-rooted passion for basketball.

In Zhuji, basketball isn't just a game. It is a way of life and a cultural beacon, said Yao in the video.

Yao greets the opening of Zhuji's second Cun BA tournament on April 7. [Photo/Tide News]

This year's tournament features 5x5 games for men, spanning town and street qualifiers, group eliminations, quarter and semi-finals, culminating in a grand championship clash.

With strict eligibility criteria in place, players must boast native ties or have resided in their respective villages for a minimum of five years, as authenticated by local law enforcement.

To date, 311 teams from across the city have stepped onto the court, unleashing basketball fervor across streets and alleys, with nearly 800 matchups scheduled.