Men Divisions – NACBA North American Chinese Basketball Association

Men’s Divisions

Men's Open Division

Men’s Open Division (Top Division)

$875 USD Entry Fee, plus NACBA Membership Fee ($100 USD for returning teams) or ($200 USD for new teams). Plus $300 USD Refundable Deposit

J17 ELITE will look to DEFEND their title in 2026. Challenging them for the top spot will be 2025 champion Boston Knights or 2-time champs Thunderjigg (Thunder). Or even 2025 Men’s Friendship champions, the New York Rockits. Other cities with formidable teams include Chicago, Toronto and Montreal.

*Note: All participants must be at least 16 years old and can play for only one team throughout the tournament.

Division Formats:

8-16 teams
The NACBA will select 8-16 teams from the pool of Men’s Open teams to compete in the highest division of the tournament. Teams will be selected based on their previous performance(s) at the NACBAIT and NACBA approved events.
The final four teams from the 2025 OPEN division are automatically guaranteed a spot in this division.
Teams not selected for the Men’s Open Division can compete in the Men’s Friendship division.
The top two teams from the 2025 Friendship Division can advance automatically to play in the Men’s Open division.
Each team is guaranteed to play in a minimum of 4 games throughout the tournament.
After initial round robin group play, teams from each group will advance into either the playoff round or consolation round.
Semifinal and Championship Games to be played on Monday

Men’s Friendship Division

$875 USD Entry Fee, plus NACBA Membership Fee ($100 USD for returning teams) or ($200 USD for new teams). Plus $300 USD Refundable Deposit

A recreation division for teams who still are somewhat competitive. Teams which previously competed in the Men’s Open division may move down to this division. It’s also a perfect opportunity for teams moving up from the Boys 18u division after their eligibility is exhausted. In 2025, the NY Rockits captured the title. But chances are they will be making a return to the Men’s Open division and to challenge for the Men’s Open title. In 2026 we are sure to see many teams competing for this championship.

*Note: All participants must be at least 16 years old and can play for only one team throughout the tournament.

Division Formats:

8-16 teams
The NACBA will select 8-16 teams from the pool of Men’s Open teams to compete in the highest division of the tournament. Teams will be selected based on their previous performance(s) at the NACBAIT and NACBA approved events.
After initial round robin group play, teams from each group will advance into either the playoff round or consolation round.
Semifinal and Championship games to be played on Monday

Men’s Senior 40+ Division

$875 USD Entry Fee, plus NACBA Membership Fee ($100 USD for returning teams) or ($200 USD for new teams). Plus $300 USD Refundable Deposit

The New York Crossbearers took top honors in 2025 and will look to repeat in 2026. 2024 champions from CCYAA should return to challenge. Chicago and other teams from NYC will also be looking to capture the CHIP.

* Note: All participants must be have already attained the age of 40 by tournament time or will do so in 2026 and can play for only one team throughout the tournament.

* Teams interested in participating in this division should inform us as soon as possible so that we can network with other teams with the same interest.

Division Formats:

4-8 teams – Minimum of four teams required to stage this division
Each team is guaranteed to play in a minimum of 3 games throughout the tournament.
After initial round robin group play, select teams from each group will advance into the playoff/championship round. A consolation round may be held contingent upon the number of teams entered.
Championship game to be played on Sunday.

Men’s Master 45+ Division

Men's Masters 45+ Division

$875 USD Entry Fee, plus NACBA Membership Fee ($100 USD for returning teams) or ($200 USD for new teams). Plus $300 USD Refundable Deposit

CCYAA of Toronto will be looking to 5-peat in 2026. Winning their fourth consecutive title was special in Markham. Going for 5 may be difficult as host team Chicago will look to end their streak . Other teams from NYC, Boston, and Montreal will also feature in this division.

* Note: All participants must have already attained the age of 45 by tournament time or will do so in 2026.

* Rule #15 Player Exception: Eligible player(s) in the 50+ and 55+ division can also participate in the in this division. Each team is allowed to add no more than 3 players total who are also participating in the 55+ division. Note, no player may participate in more than two divisions or two teams. If you have any questions about this exception, contact the Tournament Committee.

* Teams interested in participating in this division should inform us as soon as possible so that we can network with other teams with the same interest.

Division Formats:

4-6 teams – Minimum of four teams required to stage this division
Each team is guaranteed to play in a minimum of 3 games throughout the tournament.
After initial round robin group play, select teams from each group will advance into the playoff/championship round. A consolation round may be held contingent upon the number of teams entered.
Championship game to be played on Sunday.

Men’s Master 50+ Division

Men’s Masters 50+ Division

$875 USD Entry Fee, plus NACBA Membership Fee ($100 USD for returning teams) or ($200 USD for new teams). Plus $300 USD Refundable Deposit

CCYAA has dominated this division since 2018 and will be looking to capture its 7th consecutive championship. Boston and Chicago has challenged annually and look to end this streak in 2026.

* Note: All participants must be have already attained the age of 50 by tournament time or will do so in 2026.

* Rule #15 Player Exception: Eligible player(s) in the 55+ division can also participate in the in this division. Each team is allowed to add no more than 3 players total who are also participating in the 55+ division. Note, no player may participate in more than two divisions or two teams. If you have any questions about this exception, contact the Tournament Committee.

* Teams interested in participating in this division should inform us as soon as possible so that we can network with other teams with the same interest.

Division Formats:

4-6 teams – Minimum of four teams required to stage this division
Each team is guaranteed to play in a minimum of 3 games throughout the tournament.
After initial round robin group play, select teams from each group will advance into the playoff/championship round. A consolation round may be held contingent upon the number of teams entered.
Championship game to be played on Sunday.

Mens Grand Masters 55+ Division

Men’s Grand Masters 55+ Division

$875 USD Entry Fee, plus NACBA Membership Fee ($100 USD for returning teams) or ($200 USD for new teams). Plus $300 USD Refundable Deposit

Once again, CCYAA has been unbeatable in this division. In 2026 they will be looking to claim its 5th consecutive championship. Who will challenge them in 2026?

* Note: All participants must be have already attained the age of 55 by tournament time or will do so in 2026.

* Teams interested in participating in this division should inform us as soon as possible so that we can network with other teams with the same interest.

Division Formats:

4-6 teams – Minimum of four teams required to stage this division
Each team is guaranteed to play in a minimum of 3 games throughout the tournament.
After initial round robin group play, select teams from each group will advance into the playoff/championship round. A consolation round may be held contingent upon the number of teams entered.
Championship game to be played on Sunday.

Men’s OG Grand Masters 60+ Division

$875 USD Entry Fee, plus NACBA Membership Fee ($100 USD for returning teams) or ($200 USD for new teams). Plus $300 USD Refundable Deposit

2025 marked the inaugural OG Grandmasters 60+ division and Toronto CCYAA took top honors. SO LET’S RUN IT BACK. Will teams from Boston, Chicago, NYC or any others challenge?

* Note: All participants must be have already attained the age of 55 by tournament time or will do so in 2026.

* Teams interested in participating in this division should inform us as soon as possible so that we can network with other teams with the same interest.

Division Formats:

4-6 teams – Minimum of four teams required to stage this division
Each team is guaranteed to play in a minimum of 3 games throughout the tournament.
After initial round robin group play, select teams from each group will advance into the playoff/championship round. A consolation round may be held contingent upon the number of teams entered.
Championship game to be played on Sunday.

Eligibilities & Rules Applicable to all Divisions:

Open to all participants of direct Chinese descent. Participants must be at least 25% Chinese (at least one grandparent must be 100% Chinese)
At the tournament, all participants must be able to present official photo identification, passport, birth certificate, driver’s license, etc.) which proves their age and/or nationality. If a protest is lodged, the burden of proof is on each player to prove eligibility. Players should bring original copies of parents/grandparents documentation as verification if they feel that their eligibility will be challenged. Failure to do so will result in the player(s) disqualification from the tournament.
Use of ineligible players will result in forfeiture of all games played and additional sanctions including, but not limited to, team disqualification from the tournament.

Game Formats Applicable to all Divisions: