China Announces World Cup Qualifying Roster, Boasts Imposing Frontcourt
China’s national women’s basketball team has announced its 12-player roster for the upcoming FIBA Women’s World Cup qualifying tournament, headlined by stars Han Xu and Li Yueru. The team is looking to secure one of the remaining three qualifying spots for the tournament.
Han Xu returns to the national team after leaving the Perth Lynx’s championship series to prepare for the qualifiers. She was recently named the best defensive player in Australia, averaging 15.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, and nearly 2 blocks per game, culminating in a 25-point, 14-rebound, 4-block performance to sweep her team to the semi-finals. Her return provides a significant boost to China’s inside presence.
Li Yueru, recovering from a knee injury, has as well been cleared to play and will compete for playing time. She has been working to regain form in a 3×3 basketball league, demonstrating her continued ability to dominate in the low post and secure rebounds.
Adding to the formidable frontcourt is 18-year-old Zhang Ziyu, a 2.26-meter (7’5”) center who has quickly established herself as a force. Zhang has shown impressive performance in recent games, including 11 points and 9 rebounds in a warm-up game against an international team, and 15 points and 6 rebounds in her WCBA debut, averaging 9.9 points, and 3.3 rebounds with a 77.4% shooting percentage in league play. Her size and strength present a unique challenge for opposing defenses.
The team also includes Liu Yutong, a 2.01-meter (6’7”) player known for her physical strength, though her position may be challenged by the depth of the center position. The combination of Han Xu, Li Yueru, and Zhang Ziyu gives head coach Gong Luming a wealth of options, potentially allowing for a variety of lineups including dual or even triple-big configurations.
China will begin the qualifying tournament on March 11th, facing opponents including Mali, Belgium, South Sudan, Czech Republic, and Brazil. Belgium has already secured a spot in the World Cup, leaving the remaining teams to battle for the final three qualifying places. The Chinese team will play its home games in Wuhan.
In a recent warm-up game on March 9th, China defeated the Czech Republic, according to reports. This victory provides a positive momentum heading into the qualifying tournament.
Fans are debating the significance of Han Xu’s decision to depart the Australian championship series to join the national team, with some praising her commitment to her country and others lamenting the missed opportunity for a championship ring. The emergence of Zhang Ziyu alongside Han Xu and Li Yueru has sparked excitement about the future of Chinese women’s basketball, as highlighted in this article.
