Ürümqi, China – August 2025 – London Elite’s U16 Premier head coach, Daniel James, has taken a significant step in his coaching career. After forging a high-performance culture and guiding his squad to the Final Four at the Manchester showcase in May 2025—where London Elite became the first U16 Premier side from the club to reach the national semi-finals, defeating Sussex Storm before narrowly falling to London Stars in the final—James has now signed a professional coaching contract with the Xinjiang Flying Tigers, one of the most storied franchises in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA).
From Youth Success to the Professional Ranks
Since joining London Elite in the summer of 2024, James quickly established a culture of competitiveness and professionalism. Under his leadership, the U16 squad made history with its run to the national Final Four, ultimately finishing as runners-up—a milestone achievement for both coach and club.
Daniel James said:
“I would like to sincerely thank London Elite for taking a chance on me to lead their Under-16 program. This role provided me with an invaluable platform to grow, deepen my understanding of the game, and work with a special group of players. I’ve truly appreciated the support from the club, the staff, and the players throughout my time here.
While my journey now takes me to China, I look forward to keeping in touch with London Elite and maintaining a positive and lasting relationship. I will always be grateful for my time at the club and the impact it has had on my coaching career.”

About the Xinjiang Flying Tigers
The Xinjiang Flying Tigers are a professional basketball team based in Ürümqi, Xinjiang, China. Founded in 1999, the club quickly rose through the ranks, advancing from Division 2 to Division 1A by the early 2000s.
The team plays its home games at the Urumqi Olympic Sports Center, a modern venue with a seating capacity of approximately 12,000 spectators. They also host certain events at the Hongshan Arena, nicknamed the “Red Mountain Sports Arena,” which holds around 3,800 fans.
On the court, the Flying Tigers have been a perennial powerhouse in the CBA. They captured their first-ever national championship during the 2016–17 season, defeating the Guangdong Southern Tigers in a dominant 4–0 sweep in the finals. Since then, Xinjiang has consistently been in the playoff mix, finishing as runners-up and strong challengers in multiple seasons, including 2023-24.
The Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) itself is China’s premier professional men’s basketball league, founded in 1995, and currently features 20 teams competing at the highest level of Chinese basketball.
Why This Move Matters
James’s move from youth coaching in London to the professional stage in China underscores his reputation for building winning cultures and developing talent under pressure. At a club as vibrant and historically successful as Xinjiang, his international coaching experience—including stints in the EuroCup, BBL, and youth development—brings fresh perspectives and methodologies that could help the Flying Tigers push for another championship.
For Xinjiang, the addition of an internationally experienced coach signals their commitment to innovation and continued growth.
Coach James added:
“I’m extremely grateful and pleased to announce that I have accepted an assistant coaching position with the Xinjiang Flying Tigers, who compete in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA). This is a fantastic opportunity to continue developing as a coach and to contribute to the success of one of the league’s top teams.”
We would like to express our heartfelt thanks to Coach Daniel for everything he has contributed to our club. He made history with us and will always have a home here in London, where he will be remembered as a valued part of our journey.