Li Yueru Bio
Li Yueru (Chinese: 李月汝; born 28 March 1999) is a Chinese basketball player for the Dallas Wings of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) and for the Mist of Unrivaled. She also represents the Chinese national team. Standing at 201 centimeters tall, she plays as a center and is widely regarded as one of the top post players of her generation from China.
Li Yueru first gained attention in the Women’s Chinese Basketball Association before being drafted in the third round of the 2019 WNBA draft by the Atlanta Dream. Her professional journey has since taken her across China, Turkey, and the United States, where she has built a reputation as a strong rebounder and interior scorer.
Early Life and Background
Li Yueru was born on 28 March 1999 in Changzhi, Shanxi, China. Growing up in a country with a deep passion for basketball, she was introduced to the sport at a young age and quickly developed her skills as a post player. Her height and physical presence allowed her to stand out among her peers from an early stage of her development.
Her formative years were shaped by China’s structured youth basketball system, which has produced numerous international-caliber players. Li Yueru progressed through the ranks thanks to her natural talent, work ethic, and the guidance she received during her early training. These early experiences laid the foundation for what would become a successful professional career in women’s basketball.
Path to Basketball
Li Yueru began her professional basketball career in 2015 at the age of 16, joining the Guangdong Dolphins of the Women’s Chinese Basketball Association. This early opportunity allowed her to gain valuable experience playing against seasoned competitors and helped her refine her game as a center. Her time with the Dolphins served as a launching pad for her rise in Chinese basketball.
After five seasons with the Guangdong Dolphins, Li Yueru moved to Inner Mongolia in 2020, where she continued to develop her skills and establish herself as a dominant force in the WCBA. Her performances in China caught the attention of international scouts and contributed to her selection in the 2019 WNBA draft by the Atlanta Dream. However, she continued playing in China and did not initially join the Dream.
Li Yueru Career
Early Career (2015–2020)
Li Yueru’s professional career began with the Guangdong Dolphins of the Women’s Chinese Basketball Association in 2015. Playing in one of the top women’s basketball leagues in Asia, she quickly made an impression with her size, rebounding ability, and scoring touch around the basket. Over five seasons with the team, she grew into one of the most promising young centers in Chinese basketball.
Her development with the Dolphins earned her a place in the 2019 WNBA draft, where she was selected with the 35th overall pick by the Atlanta Dream. Despite the draft selection, Li Yueru remained in China to continue her development and did not join the Dream at that time. In 2020, she transferred to Inner Mongolia, marking the beginning of a new chapter in her domestic career.
WCBA Highlights (2015–2023)
During her time with the Guangdong Dolphins from 2015 to 2020, Li Yueru established herself as a reliable interior presence and contributed significantly to the team’s success. Her performances helped solidify her reputation as one of the top young centers in the WCBA and attracted attention from scouts around the world.
After joining Inner Mongolia in 2020, Li Yueru continued to elevate her game. Over three seasons with the team, she further developed her offensive repertoire and became a dominant rebounder in the league. Her consistent performances in the WCBA laid the groundwork for her eventual transition to international basketball.
WNBA Debut and Chicago Sky (2022)
Li Yueru’s WNBA rights were traded to the Los Angeles Sparks on 5 February 2022, along with Chennedy Carter, in exchange for Erica Wheeler, a 2023 WNBA draft first-round pick, and a 2022 WNBA draft second-round pick. Shortly afterward, on 30 March 2022, she was traded to the Chicago Sky in exchange for Lexie Brown.
Li Yueru joined the Sky late in the season, as she was waiting for permission from the Chinese Basketball Association. She did not see significant playing time during her first WNBA season and left the team at the end of July to join the Chinese national team in preparation for the 2022 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup.
European Experience (2023–2025)
Following her initial WNBA stint, Li Yueru took her talents overseas to Turkey. She played for Beşiktaş of the Women’s Basketball Super League during the 2023–2024 season. After her time with Beşiktaş, she signed with Bodrum Basketbol for the 2024–2025 season, playing there from September to November 2024.
On 21 November 2024, Li Yueru signed with Galatasaray, another prominent club in the Turkish Women’s Basketball Super League. Her time in Turkey allowed her to compete at a high level in European basketball and further broaden her international experience.
Dallas Wings Era (2025–Present)
On 1 February 2025, the Seattle Storm acquired the reserve rights to Li Yueru in a three-team trade and subsequently signed her to a contract. However, on 14 June 2025, she was traded to the Dallas Wings in exchange for a 2026 WNBA draft second-round pick and a 2027 WNBA draft third-round pick.
Li Yueru made a significant impact after joining the Wings roster, immediately reshaping the team’s interior presence on both offense and defense. In her first four games, she averaged 7.3 points and 7.3 rebounds, highlighted by a standout performance on 24 June, when she recorded 10 points and a career-high 15 rebounds in a 68–55 win over the Atlanta Dream. She played an instrumental role for the Wings during a period when Teaira McCowan and Luisa Geiselsöder were absent due to national team commitments.
Notable Events and Milestones
Unfortunately, on 19 August 2025, the Dallas Wings announced that Li Yueru would miss the remainder of the season following an ACL sprain in her left knee, sustained during a 97–96 loss to the Los Angeles Sparks on 15 August. She is expected to make a full recovery. Despite the early end to her season, she concluded her third WNBA campaign with averages of 7.4 points and 5.8 rebounds per game.
Li Yueru Career Wins
Li Yueru has built a strong resume across multiple leagues, including the Women’s Chinese Basketball Association, the Turkish Women’s Basketball Super League, and the WNBA. While specific championship totals are not fully documented, her career has been marked by consistent contributions as a starting center wherever she has played.
WCBA Highlights
Throughout her time with the Guangdong Dolphins (2015–2020) and Inner Mongolia (2020–2023), Li Yueru was a key contributor in the Women’s Chinese Basketball Association. Her performances in the WCBA established her as one of the premier post players in the league and helped her earn recognition on the international stage.
Other Wins & Performances
Li Yueru participated at the 2017 FIBA Women’s Asia Cup and competed for the Chinese national team at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, where she led the team in points, rebounds, efficiency, and field goal percentage. She was also drafted by Mist BC for the 2026 Unrivaled season on 5 November 2025, marking another milestone in her expanding career.
Li Yueru Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Li Yueru was born and raised in Changzhi, Shanxi, China. Her family background played an important role in her early development as an athlete, supporting her introduction to basketball during her formative years.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 WNBA season marked a transformative chapter in Li Yueru’s career. After being acquired by the Seattle Storm in February and then traded to the Dallas Wings in June, she quickly established herself as a vital interior presence for her new team. Her early performances with the Wings showcased her rebounding prowess and scoring ability, including a career-high 15-rebound game against the Atlanta Dream.
Li Yueru’s season was unfortunately cut short due to an ACL sprain in her left knee, sustained on 15 August 2025 during a narrow loss to the Los Angeles Sparks. Despite the injury, she finished the season with respectable averages of 7.4 points and 5.8 rebounds per game. She is expected to make a full recovery and return to the court for the 2026 season.
Looking ahead, Li Yueru is set to join Mist BC for the 2026 Unrivaled season, further expanding her professional portfolio. Her continued development and resilience suggest a promising future as she works toward returning to peak form and contributing to both her WNBA team and the Chinese national team.