Will Besiktas ace Yueri Li become the first Asian player to win a European title?

ISTANBUL (Turkiye) - An extra slice of history could be served if Besiktas land a maiden EuroCup Women title, since star center Yueru Li would become the first Asian player to celebrate European success.

The China national team standout has continued to move towards the center of the global basketball map this season after adding some sparkling work at club level to her highly impressive track record in a national team jersey. 

In what has been a stellar rookie year balling in EuroCup Women, she has led Besiktas to the season showpiece by averaging a super performance efficiency valuation of 18.9 off the back of a season double-double of 13.1 points and 10.3 boards per game.

Most recently she was crowned March MVP which underlines how she has hit top gear and is pivotal to her team's chances of attaining glory. 

Excluding those from the FIBA Oceania region who have won either EuroCup or EuroLeague Women previously, Li has a big opportunity waiting in front of her to be a trailblazer and to fly the flag for Asia.

There will certainly be huge excitement in her homeland at the prospect of her breaking new ground, with the frontcourt operator already a massive fans' favorite. 

She is part of a new generation of Chinese players making positive waves at the elite level and has come through the FIBA youth ranks with the likes of the similarly popular Xu Han.

Whether she ultimately manages to do it or not, her presence as one of the leading FIBA global stars excelling in the competition underlines the growing appeal and worldwide exposure of the competition. 

Once the season ends, Li is set to be a major driving force for China at the Women's Olympic Basketball Tournament Paris 2024 as she continue to play a major hand in the resurgence of her country on the big stage.

She helped them to reach the event with a big showing at the FIBA Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2024 in Xi'An and previously did great work at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2022 in Sydney when China rode all the way to the title game for the first time in almost three decades. 

But right now, there's only one thing on her mind and that is getting her hands on a EuroCup Women winners' medal with Besiktas. 

Li and Besiktas will face London Lions in the two-legged Finals with games due to be played on April 3 and April 10.

FIBA