Playing Basketball in ChinaWorth it?

How much would somebody have to pay you before you gave up the right to use your TV and cell phone? How about your right to stay up past 10pm at night? It may sound strange, but in order to play professional basketball in Xinjiang whether youre Chinese or American you have to give it ALL up.

Over the past few years it has become a growing trend for struggling NBA stars in America to find money and prestige playing for the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA). Players like Quincy Douby (formerly of Toronto Raptors) and James Singleton (formerly with the Washington Wizards) wandered all the way out to the westernmost province of Xinjiang for just that reason. And it works.

Since the drafting of Douby and Singleton, Xinjiang has made it to the CBA finals for three years in a row. While they have yet to win a title (losing to Guangdong again this year) they still remain highly competitive.

Restrictive Rules for Players

Check this out, though: According to this report (translated from this Chinese website) there are incredibly strict rules for CBA players in Xinjiang. Here are just a few that blew my mind:

• During the season, NO TV
• During the season, NO Cell Phones (they must be handed to the head coach)
• Lights out by 10pm, and ! a coach apparently checks.
• If you want to leave the team compound, you must first get permission.
• No alcohol.
• You are forbidden from talking to the press.

There are more, but this should be enough to drop your draw like it did mine. Honestly, Douby and Singleton either really love basketball or they are being paid a boatload of money.

Would you move your family to Xinjiang and give up all this for money or fame?