Chinese center Han Xu pulls out of 2020 WNBA season

Washington Mystics players defend Han Xu #21 of the New York Liberty in White Plains, New York, September 3, 2019. /VCG

Promising Chinese women's basketball player Han Xu will not feature in the 2020 WNBA season due to uncertainties brought about by COVID-19 as the New York Liberty trimmed its roster to 12 players on Tuesday.

"In light of game scheduling changes in her home country due to COVID-19, Han is unable to report for the 2020 WNBA season," the club said in a statement, expecting the promising post player to return in 2021.

Han, 20, was drafted 14th overall by the Liberty in 2019, becoming the first Chinese female basketball player to join the WNBA through the draft since 1997.

The 6'9'' center appeared in 18 games averaging 3.0 points and 0.8 rebounds during her rookie campaign, setting her scoring record with 12 points against the Connecticut Sun on August 30, 2019.

Han Xu (R) of China in action against Park Ji-su (L) of South Korea during the FIBA Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2020 Group B match in Belgrade, Serbia, February 9, 2020. /VCG

Han had played for the Women's Chinese Basketball Association (WCBA) side Xinjiang before joining the Liberty.

The WCBA season in China was suspended in January due to the COVID-19, and the league has not resumed yet.

Also playing for the Chinese national team, Han helped China claim the gold medal at the 2018 Asian Games.

Apart from Han, French guard Marine Johannes will also remain out of the U.S. for the 2020 season and join the team in 2021. The Liberty made another roster movement by waiving forward Reshanda Gray.

(With input from Xinhua)