Xu Han headlines China’s strong preliminary U18 roster

BEIJING (FIBA Asia U18 Championship for Women 2016) - Five players from the 2016 FIBA U17 Women's World Championship team have been included in China’s preliminary squad for the 2016 FIBA Asia U18 Championship for Women, set to take place in Bangkok Thailand from 13-20 November.

The list is headlined by Xu Han, China's main star in Zaragoza. The towering center led the East Asians in scoring and rebounds, with 15 points and almost 11 rebounds per game at the 2016 FIBA U17 Women’s World Championship, leading China to an impressive 4th place finish. She was also named in the tournament's All-Star Five.

Wang Jiaqi who had led China in assists and steals last July is on the list too.

Joining Xu Han and Jiaqi Wang are Zhang Ru, Li Shan and Li Yuan. All three were part of the impressive U17 team in Zaragoza.

Li Yueru, the standout sensation of the 2015 FIBA Asia U16 Women’s Championship, is also on the list. The commanding center who conjured up a wonderful 22.1 points and 16.1 boards per game last year in Medan was omitted from the U17 roster but is expected to make the final cut for the U18 Championship in Bangkok.

China go into the FIBA Asia U18 Championship for Women 2016 as record 14-time champions, including winners of the last three editions.

The 23^rd FIBA Asia Championship for women is the qualifying event for the 2017 FIBA U19 Women’s World Championship, set to take place in Cairo, Egypt next year. The top three teams from the 23^rd FIBA Asia U18 Championship for Women will represent Asia at the 2017 FIBA U19 Women’s World Championship.

FIBA