In a significant move that adds size, experience, and international flair to their frontcourt, the Dallas Wings have officially acquired Chinese center Li Yueru in a trade finalized earlier today. The deal marks a major roster addition for the Wings, who continue to aggressively reshape their team in pursuit of playoff consistency and long-term title contention in the WNBA.
Li Yueru, a 6-foot-7 center with a decorated international resume, was previously with the Chicago Sky, where she played during the 2022 WNBA season. Though her minutes were limited during her initial stint in the league, she showed flashes of her potential, particularly as a post scorer and rebounder. More recently, Li has returned to China, dominating in the WCBA (Women’s Chinese Basketball Association) with the Guangdong Dolphins, where she consistently posted double-doubles and demonstrated improvements in agility, passing, and shot-blocking.
Dallas’ decision to bring in Li Yueru comes at a pivotal time for the franchise. After showing signs of promise over the past two seasons behind rising stars like Arike Ogunbowale and Satou Sabally, the Wings have remained on the playoff bubble—competitive, but unable to make a deep postseason run. With Sabally out due to injury this season, the Wings have been in urgent need of size, rim protection, and depth in the paint. Li’s arrival directly addresses that need.
A native of Changsha, China, Li has long been considered one of the top international centers in the game. She has represented China in multiple FIBA competitions, including the 2022 F
