China's national women's basketball team has announced a 19-player training squad ahead of two major 2026 events: the FIBA Women's World Cup in Berlin and the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya. The roster, revealed on April 14, features prominent overseas-based centers Li Yueru and Han Xu, who bring WNBA experience to the squad.
Key Players and Strategic Vision
Li Yueru, recently signed by the WNBA's Dallas Wings, and Han Xu, aiming for a WNBA return after her stint with Australia's Perth Lynx, headline a mix of seasoned athletes and rising talent. Young stars like Yang Shuyu and 2.07-meter center Zhang Ziyu, who helped secure China's World Cup qualification last month, round out the roster.
Dual-Tournament Challenge
With the World Cup (September 4-13) and Asian Games (September 19-October 4) occurring back-to-back, head coach Gong Luming emphasized the need for strategic preparation. "This roster balances immediate competitiveness with long-term development toward the 2028 Olympics," he stated, noting the inclusion of college athletes alongside overseas professionals.
Road to Berlin and Beyond
The team will begin training in Beijing this month, playing international friendlies before traveling to Australia and Europe for pre-tournament warm-ups. This global preparation mirrors China's ambitions to improve on their 2022 World Cup silver medal finish while reclaiming Asian Games dominance after their 2018 gold.
