Basketball On The Internet.

MELBOURNE United will take on the CBA's Jiangsu Dragons in China in a fortnight as part of the NBL's emerging presence into Asia continues.

The game in Nanjing on May 17 is being supported by the Victorian State Government as part of its 38-year sister-state relationship with Jiangsu province.

The Dragons last year suited former NBA big Greg Oden and boasts former Brookyln Nets guard MarShon Brooks in its 2017 lineup.

He probably best is known for being part of the blockbuster trade which brought Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Jason Terry from the Boston Celtics to the Nets.

“It’s always a great opportunity when you get to head overseas and compete on an international stage," United's superstar Aussie guard and Rio Olympian Chris Goulding said.

“Some of the guys have been fortunate enough to head over to China with the Club or with the NBL a few times now and it’s always a very competitive hit-out against them. We’re looking forward to the challenge, and building on these rivalries for the future”.

The United-Dragons clash will be played just three days after Port Adelaide Power in Shanghai takes on the Gold Coast Suns in the first AFL match in China.

Philip Daldakis, Minister for Small Business, Innovation and Trade, said Victoria recognised engagement through sport strengthened links and further enhanced the strong economic relationship with his state's largest two-way trading partner.

“Future cooperation between the Australian and Chinese basketball leagues is another way that we can build long-standing ties, personal networks, strong friendships and goodwill,” he said.

The NBL All Stars last year played a three-game series against China, broadcast its 2016-17 season there and also reciprocated by showing CBA playoffs live on its app.

“Over 100 million Chinese viewers watched the NBL All-Star team play a three-game series against the Chinese men’s national team in China last year live on its national free-to-air sports channel CCTV5,” NBL CEO Jeremy Loeliger claimed.

(And all this time we thought it was 98 million, or 123, or 200 ... Footnote to the NBL. "Stats" like that require some measure of actual factual validation or run the risk becoming regarded as "fake news". Just saying.)

“After much success with the broadcast of our games into China, the opportunity to once again play live in front of our Chinese fans is a great privilege for the NBL and one I know Melbourne United is extremely excited about.”

Newly-appointed United coach Dean Vickerman said: "I haven't been to China for a couple of years.

"I'm really looking forward to going back. I've had some great experiences playing against the national team there, their club teams, they're really passionate, well-supported basketball games over there.

"There won't be many starters on this tour, Chris Goulding will come with us but he's just had ankle surgery and will probably won't be quite right to play."

Vickerman said the game presented a great oppportunity for his bench and development players to make the most of their extended court time.

"We'll fill it up (the team) with some prospects," he said.

Vickerman said the point guard and small forward roles were import slots still to be filled, the club in continuing discussions with Casper Ware (pictured).