By continuing to browse our site you agree to our use of cookies, revised Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. You can change your cookie settings through your browser.
I agree
Search Trends
SITEMAP
Copyright © 2024 CGTN. 京ICP备20000184号
Disinformation report hotline: 010-85061466
SITEMAP
Copyright © 2024 CGTN. 京ICP备20000184号
Disinformation report hotline: 010-85061466
Li Yueru (#28) of Besiktas gets ready to shoot a free throw in the FIBA EuroCup Women's game against Tango Bourges Basket at Emlakjet Sports Complex in Antalya, Turkiye, January 11, 2024. /CFP
The Los Angeles Sparks have traded with the Chicago Sky by sending an eighth-overall pick for this year's WNBA Draft to the Sky in exchange for a third-round pick, Belgian guard Julie Allemand and Chinese center Li Yueru, the Sparks announced on Monday.
"Julie and Li are outstanding additions to our Sparks family. Julie is a respected international point guard with previous WNBA experience. She is a great floor general and helps make everyone on the court better," the Sparks' head coach, Curt Miller, said in a statement. "Li is currently having an outstanding season in Turkey and will play a huge role for the Chinese National Team in the upcoming Olympics. Li has great size and will provide a nice post presence for the future."
Li was drafted by the Atlanta Dream with the No. 35 pick in 2019 but didn't play in the WNBA until 2020. She averaged 1.8 points and 1.5 rebounds in 5.1 minutes per game for the Sky in 2022. She was playing for Besiktas during the 2023-24 season before joining the Sparks. In their 104-89 win over Galatasaray last week, Li scored 29 points, nine rebounds, six assists and four steals for the team.
Li Yueru (#14) of China shoots in the women's qualification game against Puerto Rico for the 2024 Paris Olympic basketball tournament in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, February 11, 2024. /CFP
As a 2.01-meter-tall center with remarkable power, Li played a key role for the Chinese national team at the Tokyo Olympic Games in 2021, the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup in Australia in 2022 and the Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, in 2023.
Li's incredible performance helped China finish the World Cup as the runners-up and win the basketball women's gold medal at the Asian Games. She also contributed a big double-double of 22 points and 23 rebounds in China's 106-69 win over Puerto Rico in the women's qualification for the 2024 Paris Olympic basketball tournament this month.
"We are thrilled to have Julie and Li join the Sparks. Julie is a competitor who is eager to help partner in building a culture here in LA that will be one that we can all be proud of," the Sparks' general manager, Raegan Pebley, said. "Li not only adds depth in our interior, but she also shares that passion for winning."