🚨 OFFICIAL: Li Yueru has signed with Shanxi in the WCBA!
She’ll play part of the first stage of the regular season before heading to the U.S. around December 18 for Unrivaled.
Once Unrivaled wraps up, she’ll return to Shanxi immediately to lead their championship push! 🏆🔥
During the NBA China Games, Zhang Ziyu reportedly drew interest from multiple WNBA teams and expressed a strong desire to compete in the world's best league.
Which WNBA team would be the best fit for her in the upcoming draft? 👀🏀
The talent level at age of 16 🥳
Sun Hanyun - U18 Asia All-Star Five ⭐️
32 PTS | 6 REB | 3 BLK in the bronze medal game.
Smooth, shifty, and incredibly efficient. @HarwoodSport
NCAA coaches, keep an eye on Sun Hanyun! 👀
Only 16, already 6'2" with size, mobility, shooting touch, and tremendous upside. One of China's most exciting young prospects. 🇨🇳🏀
16-year-old Hanyun Sun is dominating the FIBA U18 Asia Cup🔥
17 PPG | 8 RPG | 55% 2PT | 55% 3PT
At 6’2, she has a rare combination of size, physical tools, exceptional mobility, and soft touch.
Her ceiling is SCARY high. @HarwoodSport @CWHoopShow
Arike Ogunbowale pioneered the Unrivaled → WCBA route last season, winning both titles with Mist and Sichuan.
Li Yueru is following suit this season. Hopefully more players do the same—it’s a win-win for everyone.
Players can earn double or even triple pay by joining for just a few playoff games, while the WCBA gets a more competitive postseason with stars fresh off Unrivaled.
Spread the word and keep this trend going!
Chinese Women's Hoop Show retweeted
After missing practice yesterday, DeMarco said Han Xu’s availability will depend on how she’s feeling after warmups.
Chinese Women's Hoop Show retweeted
Jonquel Jones on Han Xu in g1: "She was able to really contest and protect the rim. I think she did a great job of shooting her open shots, making open shots. She played with a great level of poise in the playoffs, and she's been gearing up towards that throughout the entirety of the season, so it was good to see her shine in that moment." (Q: Pull Up)
Game 1 was a mismatch in the paint. Jessica Shepard (24 min, 0-7, 0 pts, 3 reb, +/- -30) had one of those nights. Li Yueru came off the bench (16 min, 7 pts on 2-3, 3 reb, 1 blk, +6) and immediately gave us size and a different look against Stokes/Williams.
6'7" vs their frontcourt is worth trying as a starter in Game 2. Change the spacing, protect the rim, and give Paige/Arike a different screen-and-roll partner. Not a referendum on Shepard’s year — just the adjustment this series needs.
Dallas vs. Golden State should be an interesting one.
Dallas has the talent to pull off the upset, but elite defensive teams like Golden State and Atlanta have made them struggle offensively.
Two keys for Dallas:
1) Free up Paige and Arike for cleaner looks with consistent screening actions.
2) Crash the offensive glass. Against Golden State's suffocating defense, second-chance opportunities will be crucial.
Li Yueru is very good at both, and Dallas didn't really play this card against Golden State in the regular season. If the coaching staff makes that adjustment, it could give Dallas another weapon.
And as today's Liberty upset over the Lynx showed: when you have a clear frontcourt size advantage, use it.
Han Xu’s performance today reminded me of this old post of mine 🥳
Han Xu was +29 in just 21 minutes in a 4-point win.
Her impact starts on the defensive end. She protects the rim, alters shots, disrupts passing lanes, and boxes out well even if she doesn't always collect the rebound.
When she first joined the WNBL, opponents kept testing her in the paint—until they quickly stopped. I saw the same pattern tonight.
Give Han consistent minutes, and an All-WNBA Defensive Team selection is only a matter of time. She has the size, instincts, effort, proven track record, and confidence to become an elite defender.
Chinese Women's Hoop Show retweeted
Le passage de Hanny a été incroyable. C’est à souligner.
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Chinese Women's Hoop Show retweeted
Box score from the first game of the WNBA playoffs.
- Stewie was great
- Han Xu shut down the paint
- Collier had a rough one
dev.espnanalytics.com/wnba-b…
Chinese Women's Hoop Show retweeted
The Han Xu defensive rotations from the second half will be remembered.
