It's official! A blockbuster 3-year contract! Another top-paid star emerges for the Chinese men's basketball team.

The Shanxi team has officially confirmed a three-year category D maximum salary extension for Zhang Ning.Besides Zhang Ning, the team also has two other max-salary players: Ge Zhaobao and Yuan Shuai.

Statistics show Zhang Ning is the ninth CBA player to receive a max contract this summer, with the previous eight being Zhao Jiwei, Wu Qian, Liu Zeyi, Cheng Shuaipeng, Wang Yibo, Wang Zhelin, Zhu Mingzhen, and Jiang Yuxing.

Responding to the news, Zhang Ning said, “Three years—though I knew it long ago, the moment I sign I feel I've found my home.”

Born on February 19, 1997, Zhang Ning is now 28 years old. He was the eighth pick in the first round of the 2020 draft, standing 1.91 meters tall and playing as a swingman. In his five seasons with Shanxi, except for his rookie year, he has averaged double-digit points every season. In the 2024-25 regular season, he posted averages of 16 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game, while in the playoffs he contributed 13.3 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.3 assists on average.

He has been selected to the All-Star roster for three consecutive years, and now with a new 3-year max contract, he has achieved both fame and fortune. Zhang Ning is considered one of the most successful college players in CBA history, and in recent years has repeatedly been called up to the national team, representing China in the Asia Cup qualifiers last November and this February.

Unfortunately, Zhang Ning missed out on making the final 12-man roster for the Chinese men's basketball team at the 2025 Asia Cup, meaning he couldn't participate in the tournament or share in the joy of winning the runner-up honor with his teammates.

On November 28 this year, the Chinese men's basketball team will play their first World Cup qualifier at home against South Korea; then on December 1, they will face South Korea away.

At that time, coach Guo Shiqiang may call up Zhang Ning again, and he is ready to play whenever needed. The national team currently has a particular need for players who can cover the 2-3 positions.

As for the CBA's new season, due to the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao National Games being held from November 9 to 21, well-known domestic media have reported that the league will likely start on December 12. This gives the Chinese men's basketball team more time and flexibility to recruit and prepare for the World Cup qualifiers, without having to squeeze games into the regular season!