BEIJING - It's official.

The NBA's traning school in Dongguan, China's Guangong Province, opened its doors on Friday.

The CBA Dongguan Basketball School, the first such facility in the country, was launched by the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) and NBA China as part of an effort to develop elite young talent.

The school's aim is to develop basketball players in grades 7-12 (12-17 years old). Construction of the state-of-the-art facility was completed in June, and 77 students are currently enrolled for the school's first semester.

Students live in the school dormitory, attend academic classes, and practice in the basketball training facility, which has eight indoor courts and a top-notch strength and conditioning room.

The CBA Dongguan Basketball School is responsible for operating the school, while the NBA is providing a basketball training curriculum and operations manual.

Ron Ekker, a former NBA and NCAA coach with extensive experience in basketball development, is technical director and will implement the basketball curriculum.

NBA coaches and trainers will visit the school to provide additional instruction on strength and conditioning, nutrition, and player and coaching development.

"We would like to thank our partners at the CBA and Dongguan Basketball School for their support to launch this groundbreaking facility that demonstrates our joint commitment to develop basketball in China," said NBA China CEO David Shoemaker. "Youth basketball development is a primary focus of NBA China and the CBA. The opening of this facility represents a big step forward in our efforts to provide current and future generations of basketball players the resources they need to succeed."

NBA Commissioner David Stern and the school's Principal and former CBA star Li Qun first announced the plan to jointly develop a basketball training center during NBA China Games in October 2010.

China Daily