Basketball: Xinjiang forward Abdusalam wins CBA MVP award

Xinjiang Flying Tigers forward Abdusalam Abdurexit was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the 2023-24 Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) league regular season on Monday.

Abdusalam received 471 points, including 65 of a possible 145 first-place votes from media representatives to win the league's top individual honor.

Having played all 52 regular-season games, including 51 starts, Abdusalam averaged 19 points, 10.2 rebounds and 4.4 assists as Xinjiang rose from the 17th place last season to runner-up during this year's campaign.

Xinjiang head coach Qiu Biao was also named Coach of the Year.

Shenzhen Aviators forward Jared Sullinger, who averaged 21.8 points, 11.3 rebounds and 4 assists, won the Best Foreign Player award.

Promising Qingdao Eagles center Yang Hansen was named Defensive Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year.

Wu Qian of the Zhejiang Golden Bulls won the Sixth Man of Year award, while Shanghai Sharks sophomore forward Li Hongquan received the Most Improved Player award.

Abdusalam and Yang were also included in the All-CBA Chinese Player First Team, along with Liaoning Flying Leopards guard Zhao Jiwei and Zhejiang Lions duo Hu Jinqiu and Sun Minghui.

The All-CBA Chinese Player Second Team featured Zhang Zhenlin from Liaoning, Qi Lin from Xinjiang, Yu Jiahao from the Zhejiang Golden Bulls, Hu Mingxuan from the Guangdong Southern Tigers and Cui Yongxi from the Guangzhou Loong Lions.

Sullinger was selected for the All-CBA Foreign Player Team as well, along with David James from the Tianjin Pioneers, Marial Shayok from the Shandong Heroes, Antonio Blakeney from the Nanjing Monkey Kings and Myles Powell from the Qingdao Eagles.