Ma Jian began formal basketball training at the age of 14 and quickly rose through the ranks. From 1986 onwards, he became a key player for both the Chinese National Youth Men's Basketball Team and the National Men's Basketball Team. He represented China in various international competitions, including the Asian Games and numerous other international tournaments. In 1992, he had the honor of representing China at the Barcelona Olympics. Throughout his professional career, he maintained an undefeated record in all formal Asian competitions and was repeatedly selected for the Asian All-Star Team, showcasing his exceptional skills and contributions to the sport.

In 1992, Ma Jian was awarded a full scholarship to study in the United States. He pursued his education successively at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and the University of Utah. During his time in the United States, Ma Jian made history as the first Chinese person to enter the NCAA league and subsequently became the first Chinese person to secure an NBA training contract. Following his collegiate career, Ma Jian went on to serve in various professional basketball clubs, further solidifying his reputation as a talented and trailblazing athlete.

In 1995, Ma Jian participated as a guest commentator in the first-ever broadcast of the NBA Finals in China. Following this milestone, Ma Jian emerged as a prominent figure in the basketball community, serving as a key promoter of the sport. Over the past two decades, he has been actively involved in basketball commentary and analysis across various media platforms including television, radio, internet, and newspapers. Ma Jian's commentary portfolio spans over 2000 basketball games, with an accumulated viewership exceeding 2 billion. He has collaborated with prominent media outlets such as CCTV5, Beijing TV, Star TV, China Education Television, China International Broadcasting Network, Tencent, Sina, Sohu, and Tudou, further cementing his influence and expertise in the realm of basketball broadcasting.

As a sports communication manager, Ma Jian has been appointed by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to serve in various key roles. He served as the broadcasting manager for basketball events at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and as the broadcasting manager for the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2008 Beijing Paralympics. In 2010, Ma Jian was invited to serve as the broadcasting manager for basketball events at the Guangzhou Asian Games. These prestigious appointments underscore Ma Jian's expertise and leadership in sports communication and management on the international stage.

Since 2020, Ma Jian has pioneered basketball live teaching broadcasts on various internet platforms including TikTok and JD.com, establishing himself as a trailblazer in online sports broadcasting. His innovative approach to delivering basketball instruction via digital platforms has garnered widespread attention and recognition, solidifying his position as a leading figure in the realm of internet sports broadcasting.

Ma Jian Sports Foundation, specializing in sports education for young people. In 2023, he was invited by the Youth Department of the General Administration of Sport of China to serve as the Promotion Ambassador for the "Youth Basketball Sports Skill Level Standard Evaluation Project".