Honghe Running Bulls Basketball Club

Yunnan Honghe Bulls (Chinese: 云南红河奔牛) or Yunnan Honghe or Yunnan Bulls were a basketball team in the South Division of the Chinese Basketball Association, based in Mengzi, Yunnan (Chinese: 云南蒙自).

They won the 2004 Chinese Basketball League (CBL) championship and were promoted to the CBA for the 2004–2005 season, replacing the disqualified Beijing Olympians.

In the 2004–2005 season, the Yunnan Bulls finished in fourth place in the South Division and upset the North Division’s Liaoning Hunters in the quarter-finals, but lost in the semi-finals to the Jiangsu Dragons. In 2005–2006 they again finished in fourth place in the South Division, but were eliminated by the North Division’s Beijing Ducks in the quarter-finals.

The Honghe Running Bulls Basketball Club (红河奔牛篮球俱乐部) is a professional basketball team based in the Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture (红河哈尼族彝族自治州), Yunnan Province, China. Established in March 2004, it was founded under the leadership of the Honghe Prefecture Sports Bureau (红河州体育局) with the support of the local government. The club is managed by Honghe Running Bulls Basketball Club Ltd., registered in Mengzi County (蒙自县), Yunnan.

In its inaugural year, the club went undefeated in the 2004 CBL League (中国篮球联赛), securing qualification to compete in the CBA (Chinese Basketball Association). It made history by becoming the first top-tier basketball team in Yunnan Province.

Key Achievements

• 2004 CBL League Champion (CBL联赛冠军)

• 2004-2005 CBA: 4th place finish in their debut season.

• 2005-2006 CBA: 6th place finish, marking the club’s best record in its early years.

Founding and Early Success

The Honghe Running Bulls were established with the goal of promoting cultural development and ethnic unity within Yunnan. Thanks to the support from the local government, the club quickly rose to prominence in the Southwest region of China.

In their first season, the club won the CBL League title with a perfect record, which earned them a spot in the CBA for the 2004-2005 season. Under the leadership of coach Wu Qinglong (吴庆龙), the team achieved an impressive 4th place finish in their debut CBA season.

The CBA Years

2004-2005: First Year in CBA

The Honghe Running Bulls made their debut in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) during the 2004-2005 season. They finished in 4th place, a remarkable achievement for a newly promoted team. This season marked a major milestone for the club, as they faced the top teams in China.

2005-2006: Continued Success

In the 2005-2006 season, the team’s performance remained strong, securing 6th place in the inaugural Chinese Men’s Basketball Professional League (中国男子篮球职业联赛). This was their best-ever finish at the time, thanks to the combined efforts of both the club members and the guidance of Wu Qinglong.

2007-2009: Crisis and Disbandment

By 2007, the club faced severe financial difficulties due to wage disputes and economic mismanagement. In 2009, after a series of internal crises, the club’s CBA qualification was revoked, and the team was disbanded. The club’s chairman, Han Zhikun (韩志昆), was sentenced to prison for corruption and embezzlement, which further contributed to the team’s downfall. Other related businesses, such as Bengniu Hotel (奔牛酒店), were also closed down.

Club Details

• Club Name : 红河奔牛篮球俱乐部

• English Name: Honghe Running Bulls Basketball Club

• Founded : March 2004

• Founder : Honghe Prefecture Sports Bureau (红河州体育局)

• Location : Yunnan, China

• Sport : Basketball

• Major Achievement : CBL League Champion

• Team Colors : Red and White

• Home Arena : Mengzi Arena (蒙自体育馆)

The CBL Era

In 2004, the team won the CBL League (中国篮球联赛) with an undefeated record, earning the right to compete in the CBA. Their performance in the CBL earned them the title of CBL Champions and established them as a rising force in Chinese basketball.

The First Year in CBA

The Honghe Running Bulls entered the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) for the 2004-2005 season after winning the CBL League. The team finished 4th, a remarkable debut performance.

The Second Year in CBA

In the 2005-2006 season, the team improved, finishing in 6th place in the first Chinese Men’s Basketball Professional League. This performance solidified their status as a competitive team in the CBA.

The Third Year in CBA

During the 2006-2007 season, the team continued to show promise, but internal issues began to affect the club’s performance. By the end of 2007, the club’s financial difficulties escalated, and the situation became unsustainable.

Crisis and Disbandment

By 2009, the club was officially disbanded after a series of financial problems, wage disputes, and mismanagement. The CBA revoked the club’s qualification, and the chairman, Han Zhikun, was sentenced for corruption. The associated companies, including the Bengniu Hotel, were also shut down.

Team Members

Throughout its short existence, the Honghe Running Bulls featured several notable players and coaches. Among the key figures were Wu Qinglong (吴庆龙), who served as the head coach and led the team to its early successes.

Current Team Status

The Honghe Running Bulls Basketball Club has undergone significant changes for the new season. Veteran player Li Xiaoyong (李晓勇), who represented the team last season, has now transitioned into an assistant coach role. The team has retained core players such as Yu Junkai (遇俊锴) and Chen Zhaosheng (陈照升). Additionally, the club has strengthened the team by acquiring several new players through transfers and signings. These include the tough forward Yue Pengfei (岳鹏飞) from Liaoning (辽宁), guard Cui Yu (崔宇) from Shandong (山东), guard Zheng Xiaoming (郑晓明) from Shanghai (上海), young player Yang Huai (杨槐) from Chongqing (重庆), and two powerful American imports: Ken Johnson (肯·约翰逊) and Will Frisby (威尔·弗里斯比). Furthermore, the club has promoted promising young talents such as Yin Zhiyong (殷志勇), Fan Zhaoyu (范兆宇), Ren Zhao (任钊), and Cun Shouwei (寸守伟) from the second team. With an average age of just 24, the team has successfully embraced a youth-focused approach, moving away from the over-reliance on veteran players and foreign imports. The new, revitalized team is now exhibiting a dynamic upward trajectory.

CBL Era (2004-2004)

CBL Performance: 14 Consecutive Wins

In its very first season, Honghe Running Bulls quickly made a name for themselves by securing 14 consecutive wins in the CBL League (中国篮球联赛). Within just 10 days of forming the team, the Bulls achieved an impressive result in the CBL Changsha Zone (CBL长沙赛区), finishing second, losing only by 3 points to the formidable Shenyang Military District East Hua Team (沈阳军区东华男篮). The team went on to win every other match by large margins.

In the CBL Quarterfinals, the team, which had been together for only four months, made history by advancing to the CBA (Chinese Basketball Association), becoming the first team to form in one year and immediately enter the top-tier basketball league.

On the evening of August 16, 2004, the CBL Championship trophy was awarded to the Honghe Running Bulls at their home ground in Mengzi, Yunnan (云南蒙自). The head coach, Wu Qinglong (吴庆龙), along with all the players, received the championship trophy from Wang Du (王渡), Vice Director of the National Basketball Management Center (国家体育总局篮球运动管理中心). From the next season onward, the team would compete in the CBA, marking Yunnan’s first appearance in China’s top-level basketball competition in over 20 years.

Head Coach: Wu Qinglong

Wu Qinglong (吴庆龙) has an illustrious career:

• 1982–1984: Played for the Liaoning Youth Team (辽宁青年队).

• 1983–1985: Represented the Chinese National Youth Team (国家青年队).

• 1984–1990: Played for the Liaoning Basketball Team (辽宁男篮).

• 1991–1997: Represented the Chinese National Men’s Basketball Team (国家男子篮球队) and served as captain.

• 1997–2001: Head Coach of Liaoning Basketball Team (辽宁队).

• 2002–2004: Studied at Beijing Sport University (北京体育大学).

• 2003: Head Coach of the Chinese National Youth Team (中国青年队).

• 2004: Appointed Head Coach of Honghe Running Bulls (红河奔牛俱乐部).

CBA First Year (2004-2005 Season)

Performance: 22 Wins, 16 Losses, 4th Place

In the 2004-2005 CBA season, the team finished with a record of 22 wins and 16 losses, ranking 4th in the Southern Zone (南区). Their goal was to reach the playoffs, which they successfully achieved.

Playoff Series

• March 9: Yunnan 104–117 Jiangsu (江苏)

• March 12: Jiangsu 125–116 Yunnan

• March 16: Yunnan 101–118 Bayi (八一)

• March 19: Bayi 114–103 Yunnan

The team lost all four matches in the Division Championship but finished 4th overall.

Semifinals

• March 29: Yunnan 129–135 Jiangsu

• April 2: Jiangsu 93–116 Yunnan

• April 3: Jiangsu 108–129 Yunnan

Despite being eliminated in the playoffs, the season marked a successful start for the team in the CBA.

CBA Second Year (2005-2006 Season)

Performance: 21 Wins, 21 Losses, 4th in Southern Zone

In the 2005-2006 CBA season, the Honghe Running Bulls finished 4th in the Southern Zone again, with a balanced record of 21 wins and 21 losses, qualifying for the playoffs.

Quarterfinals

• March 22: Beijing 113–104 Yunnan

• March 25: Yunnan 97–106 Beijing

• March 26: Yunnan 96–104 Beijing

The team was eliminated in the first round of the playoffs, finishing 6th in the national rankings.

Key Players

• Li Xiaoyong (李晓勇)

• Yu Junkai (遇俊锴)

• Xiong Renzheng (熊仁正) – Taiwanese player

• Zhang Nan (张楠)

• Liu Bo (刘博)

• Chen Zhaosheng (陈照升)

CBA Third Year (2006-2007 Season)

Performance: 2 Wins, 28 Losses

The 2006-2007 season was a disastrous year for the Honghe Running Bulls, with the team securing only 2 wins and 28 losses. This season saw significant instability, and midway through the season, coach Wu Qinglong resigned, with Xia Hongfa (夏鸿发) stepping in as the head coach for the remainder of the season.

Key Players

• Zheng Xiaoming (郑晓明)

• Yu Junkai (遇俊锴)

• Yue Pengfei (岳鹏飞)

• Cui Yu (崔宇)

• Chen Zhaosheng (陈照升)

2007-2008 Season

The 2007-2008 season saw some new faces, including Taiwanese actor Yan Xing Shu (颜行书), who joined the team as a player. This season also featured imports such as Dante Jones (丹特), DeAngelo Collins (迪克森), and Will Frisby (威尔·弗里斯比).

Team Disbandment

After a strong debut season in the CBA, where they finished 4th, the team faced major financial difficulties. In 2006, the team was hit with a series of financial troubles, including unpaid salaries, which led to a legal dispute between the club and its players and coaches. In 2009, Han Zhikun (韩志昆), the chairman of the club, was arrested for economic crimes. The team’s poor financial situation led to the cancellation of their CBA qualification, and the club was eventually disbanded.

Team Members

• Wang Xinkai (王信凯)

• Wang Nan (王楠)

• Yan Xing Shu (颜行书)

• Yang Huai (杨槐)

• Chen Zhaosheng (陈照升)

• Liu Ziqiu (刘子秋)

• Yang Tao (杨涛)

• Kaisier Jiang (凯赛尔江)

• Xie Zhongjie (谢忠杰)

• Liu Hao (刘昊)

• Jiang Ming (姜明)

• Cun Shouwei (寸守伟)

• Dante Jones (丹特)

• Will Frisby (威尔·弗里斯比)

• DeAngelo Collins (迪克森)

• Han Jianjian (韩党建)