China’s basketball league starts this weekend boosted by an exodus of star players fleeing the NBA lock-out, which has also given an opportunity to show more domestic games on national TV.

J.R. Smith, Kenyon Martin, Wilson Chandler and China’s own ex-Washington Wizards power forward Yi Jianlian are among numerous ex-NBA players suiting up for the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA), which re-opens on Sunday.

Several out-of-contract NBA players signed for Chinese clubs rather than wait for a resolution of the financial dispute between clubs and players which has held up the start of the American season.

“The players coming to the CBA are getting better and better, competition in the league and the level of play is getting higher,” said Yi, who has joined up with reigning champions the Guangdong Tigers.

“I can’t wait for the games to start... I can’t wait to play each one of these guys, I’m looking forward to enjoying every game.”

The champions open the season against Smith’s Zhejiang Golden Bulls in a nationally televised game on Sunday. The ex-Denver Nuggets guard was reportedly signed for a Chinese-record, one-year contract of $3 million.

China Central Television will air Zhejiang games at least once a week through November, a decision that came after Smith wowed spectators with 33 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists in a pre-season exhibition game.

With a reported 300 million basketball fans in China, the state broadcaster has also increased the number of CBA games to be broadcast this season to up to five a week to fill the void left by the NBA lockout.

After cancelling its November games, the NBA announced this week that the 2011-2012 season would not begin until December 15 at the earliest, provided a collective bargaining agreement with players can be worked out.