Published: 09:34, April 8, 2023 | Updated: 13:53, April 8, 2023
Sun, Sullinger named CBA Players of Month
By Xinhua

Sun Minghui (left) of the Zhejiang Lions defends against Wang Yifang of the Tianjin Pioneers during their Chinese Basketball Association match in Zhuji, east China's Zhejiang province, March 13, 2023. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

BEIJING - Zhejiang Lions guard Sun Minghui and Shenzhen Aviators center Jared Sullinger were named the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) Players of the Month on Friday.

Sun helped Zhejiang cap off the regular season with a nine-game winning streak to rise from outside the top 12 to seventh in the table. He averaged 18.6 points, 5.6 rebounds, 8.2 assists and 2.8 steals over the past 14 games in the third stage of the regular season as Zhejiang registered an 11-3 win-loss record.

Sullinger led Shenzhen to a win-loss record of 11-3 in the third stage with averages of 25.2 points, 15.8 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 1.3 steals while shooting 43.4 percent from 3-point range. Shenzhen finished fourth in the regular season and automatically qualified for the quarterfinals in the playoffs.

Jared Sullinger (left) of the Shenzhen Leopards goes for a lay up against the Liaoning Flying Leopards in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, March 19, 2023. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

Also on Friday, Guangzhou Loong Lions forward Jordan Bell was named Defensive Player of the Month.

Bell's teammate Cui Yongxi, who averaged 17.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.2 steals as Guangzhou won 10 of the last 13 matches in the regular season, was named Rising Star of the Month.

The CBA playoffs begin on Sunday, with teams ranked fifth to 12th in the regular season vying for four spots in the quarterfinals in a best-of-three format.