NBA expands by jersey-selling in China

Bryant, L.A. Lakers' shooting guard, has the best-selling jersey in China this season, outselling Cleveland Cavaliers' forward LeBron James, who took the top spot in the best-selling jerseys worldwide.

Rounding out the top five in jersey sales in China are Derrick Rose, Stephen Curry, Damian Lillard and Kevin Durant, who took second, third, fourth and fifth spots respectively.

James of the Cleveland Cavaliers again topped the worldwide best-selling jersey list - a spot he has been holding since 2012. Bryant only finished fourth in the global ranking while James only placed sixth in jersey sales in China.

Derrick Rose, who placed second in China jersey sales, only placed fifth worldwide.

Bryant had long maintained his popularity in China. This is why despite the Lakers' poor showing, Chinese fans still scream for his name.

During the Beijing Olympics in 2008, Bryant was the only one in the team who got two standing ovations. The Lakers' shooting guard would always visit China every summer of every year.

Bryant also gives much of his time promoting a charity event that raises funds for less fortunate Chinese children.

The Chinese Basketball Association puts the number of Chinese basketball fanatics at 300 million.

The NBA also appears to be the most followed sports league on Chinese social media sites. Currently, it boasts of more than 93 million followers on China's popular social media platforms such as Tencent and Sina.

The worldwide figures cover sales from Adidas and NBAStore.com from October 2014 to December 2014, while China figures cover sales in Greater China from October 2014 to February 18, 2015.

Original title by Chinatopix:Kobe Bryant Jersey is Best-Selling NBA Jersey In China