1996–97 Chinese Basketball Association season

The 1996–97 CBA season was the second season of the Chinese Basketball Association. The season was held from 27 November 1996 to 30 March 1997.

The Shanghai Sharks and Sichuan Pandas were promoted from the Second Division.

To CBA
Teams promoted from Second Division
 * Shanghai Sharks
 * Sichuan Pandas

From CBA
Team relegated to Second Division
 * Nanjing Army
 * Vanguard/Police

Results
12 teams played against each other teams twice.

Playoffs
The top 8 teams in the regular season advanced to the playoffs.

Relegation playoffs
The bottom 4 teams advanced to relegation playoffs. The Zhejiang Squirrels and Jinan Army were relegated to the Second Division after the relegation playoffs.

All-Star Weekend
The 1997 CBA All-Star Game was played on April 5, 1997, in Shanghai.

The South All-Stars defeated the North All-Stars 98-84. Hu Weidong from the Jiangsu Dragons was named MVP of the All-Star Game.

James Hodges from the Liaoning Hunters won the Slam Dunk Contest, and Saulius Štombergas from the Shanghai Sharks won the Three-Point Shootout.

Awards
These are the award winners for the 1996-97 CBA regular season.