Han Xu, Shao Ting, Li Yueru highlight title-hungry squad for China at Women's Asia Cup 2019

BEIJING (China) – The final 12-player roster for the China national team to play at the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup 2019 Division in Bengaluru, India has been finalized and confirmed. China will be in the hunt for their 12^th Women’s Asia Cup title which would tie as most all-time after falling painfully short in the 3 previous editions of the competition. 

China's 12-player roster for FIBA Women's Asia Cup 2019
Yang Liwei	Li Yuan	Wang Siyu
Wu Tongtong	Shao Ting	Guo Zixuan
Gao Song	Li Yueru	Han Xu
Chen Mingling	Liu Jiacen	Shi Xiaoye

 

They were close to making to the title game in 2017, but unfortunately lost to a furious rally by the eventual champions, Japan, in the Semi-finals, 74-71. The top 3 scorers from that game are once again listed to play this year: Shao Ting, Li Yueru, and Gao Song.

(Li Yueru, FIBA Women's Asia Cup 2017)

It will be the second Asia Cup for Li Yueru, who starred as a teenager in 2017 as both the tournament’s second leader in scorer and rebounder. On the other hand, Gao Song is set to make her 5^th appearance in this tournament and is the only player on the squad to have ever won the Women’s Asia Cup which was back in 2011. On the other hand, 

(Shao Ting, FIBA Women's Asia Cup 2017)

Ting will also be expected to star for China in this Asia Cup as one of the more productive players over the years for the national team. She has even translated that into a WNBA stint earlier this year with the Minnesota Lynx. 

Another player expected to shine for shine is Han Xu, the 19-year-old 6’9” center who has also been playing in the WNBA with the New York Liberty this season. Han has already made her senior national team debut at the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2018 in Spain where she instantly made an impact, averaging 8.3 points and 6.1 rebounds per game.

(Han Xu, FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2018)

Seven China national team players from the latest edition of the Women’s Basketball World Cup will be playing in India. Aside from the aforementioned Han, Shao, and Li, another player from the World Cup squad that is expected to play a large role is floor general Li Yuan. Despite being only 18 at that time, Li Yuan was able to lead the team in assists with 4.3 dimes per contest.

(Li Yuan, FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2018)

China have had their Asia Cup title hopes cut short twice in a row by Japan, which should make them one of the more motivated teams looking to take down the 3-time defending champions this year. Though they have been able to exact some revenge against Japan at the World Cup, dethroning the Asia Cup champs could possibly be even more fulfilling.

With the roster that they have assembled, China will have to potential to do just that.

FIBA