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