Latest news with #LiYueru
Yahoo
7 hours ago
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How Wings center made bold statement vs. Brittney Griner, Dream
The post How Wings center made bold statement vs. Brittney Griner, Dream appeared first on ClutchPoints. ARLINGTON, TX — Something changed on Tuesday night. 6'1″ Myisha Hines-Allen started (primarily at center) through the Dallas Wings' first 15 games of the 2025 season. On Tuesday against the Atlanta Dream, however, head coach Chris Koclanes placed Li Yueru in the starting lineup at the center position. Yueru played well and Dallas emerged victorious with a 68-55 win. Advertisement Yueru was acquired by the Wings in a trade with the Seattle Storm in June. At 6'7″, Yueru was the logical candidate to start against Brittney Griner and the Dream. However, predicting how well she would play against a future Hall of Famer in Griner would have been difficult. Yueru, 26, turned in a 10-point, 15-rebound double-double. She added one assist and a steal. Meanwhile, Griner finished the game with only two points and six rebounds to go along with one block. Atlanta shoots a lot of three-pointers and Griner only had three field goal attempts, but Yueru still made things difficult on her in the post. Yueru said it was 'exciting' to play against Griner on Tuesday night. 'She's the best post player in the league,' Yueru added while speaking to reporters about Griner. Advertisement It is clear that the new Wings center is developing chemistry with her new teammates. Arike Ogunbowale and Paige Bueckers led the way on Tuesday, but Yueru's play was crucial in the game as well. 'She's just an amazing player… Obviously she hasn't been with us for a long time, but she's a really smart player and she's picking it up,' Ogunbowale said of Yueru. 'For her to get the start and come out with the double-double… Really started the energy of the lead. She was scoring, she was rebounding, she was setting great screens. So she's a really great player and I'm glad she's on our team.' Li Yueru may continue to start for Wings at center It is worth mentioning that both Teaira McCowan and Luisa Geiselsoder — who are both centers — are currently playing in EuroBasket and are away from the Wings. They are expected to return in early July. Their returns will lead to difficult starting lineup decisions. Advertisement For now, Yueru is likely going to continue to start games. Her performance on Tuesday night was indeed a bold statement. 'I'm excited to play,' Yueru told reporters. 'I'm appreciative of my teammates and coach giving me a chance. I'm not the best one, so I know… I can do the best small things… (give) extra effort. I appreciate we can win tonight.' Although Yueru is not necessarily guaranteed to start moving forward, she certainly gave Koclanes something to seriously consider. 'She did not back down,' Koclanes said of Yueru playing against Griner. 'She just is incredibly smart and physical… Really good with her positioning. Really proud that she stepped up and answered that call.' Advertisement The Wings are looking to carry their momentum into Friday's game against the Indiana Fever. The contest will receive no shortage of hype as it will be played at the American Airlines Center in Dallas (the home of the Dallas Mavericks and Dallas Stars). Following Friday's game, the Wings will play the second of a back-to-back in Arlington against the Washington Mystics. The Wings can make a statement of their own with a strong back-to-back effort. Fans can expect Li Yueru to continue to play a significant role in Dallas' success moving forward. Related: The Paige Bueckers effect becoming undeniable before Caitlin Clark clash Related: Wings' Arike Ogunbowale grabs attention with Paige Bueckers 'elite' claim
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
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Wings Things: Paige Bueckers is on a tear and she wants her whistle
Paige Bueckers #5 of the Dallas Wings handles the ball during the game against the Connecticut Sun on June 20, 2025 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. | Photo by Chris Marion/NBAE via Getty Images Fresh off her first Texas Rangers baseball game, when she threw out the ceremonial first pitch before the Rangers fell 6-3 against the Royals on Wednesday, star Dallas Wings (3-11) rookie Paige Bueckers scored 21 points on Friday to lead the Wings to their second straight win, 86-83, at the Connecticut Sun (2-11). Bueckers has scored 35, 20 and now 21 in her last three games, just the eighth, ninth and 10th games in her WNBA career. She came into Friday's game at Mohegan Sun Arena sitting in sixth place in WNBA All-Star voting, but after performances like these last three, she can only move up in the coming days. If her current stat lines hold up across her rookie campaign, she will become the only player in league history to average 15 points, five assists and two steals or more per game in their rookie season. Advertisement Bueckers shot 7-of-16 from the field and dished seven assists in the win. She was also whistled for a technical foul after campaigning for a whistle after canning a baseline jumper off Li Yueru's offensive board with 3:14 left in the second quarter. She clapped her hands in the direction of the official on her way back down the floor on defense and chuckled to herself after picking up the first technical foul of her pro career. Bueckers effectively fought through a blitzing Sun defense when she brought the ball up the floor, she's always on the move without the ball and she's no slouch on the defensive end, either. Her second steal of the game came on a Sun inbound pass and led to a leak out and layup by fellow rookie Azaiah James, who the Wings took with the 12th overall pick of the 2024 WNBA Draft, on the other end. She's patient with the ball and is absolutely lethal in the mid-range. And even at this early stage of her pro career, Bueckers wants her whistle as opposing defenses hound her with the ball. She came into the game against the Sun leading the league in scoring this month, at better than 23 points per game in June. NaLyssa Smith picked up two early fouls but was the closest thing to instant offense the Wings could muster in the first quarter. Wings head coach Chris Koclanes stayed with her despite those two fouls to some impressive early returns on the offensive end. Smith hit four of her five looks from the mid-range to pace Dallas with eight points in the opening frame. Paige Bueckers #5 of the Dallas Wings shoots the ball during the game against the Connecticut Sun on June 20, 2025 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. Bueckers rose up through the double-team of Bria Hartley and Lindsay Allen late in the shot clock on Dallas' final possession of the first quarter for a running jumper and a 3-point play to put the Wings up 21-15 after one. Then she ran a little Allen Iverson cut and pulled up three feet behind the 3-point line on the Wings' first possession of the second for her first long ball of the game to put Dallas up 24-15. Advertisement Turnovers have been the thorn in the Wings' side all year, though, and four consecutive giveaways early in the third fed a little 10-0 Sun run to take a 25-24 lead after Bueckers found her rhythm. Dallas turned the ball over 10 times in the first 14 minutes of the game, but held onto the ball a little better for the final six minutes of the first half. James earned the second start of her WNBA career in the win over the Sun, starting the last two wins in place of DiJonai Carrington, who until Tuesday was a fixture in the first five for the Wings. The WNBA's Most Improved Player from 2024 has made a habit of turning the ball over in recent games and came into the matchup in Connecticut leading the Wings with 2.8 giveaways per game. James, for her part, is finding her way as an up-and-coming playmaker for the Wings. She scored 10 of her 17 points (a new career high mark) in the third quarter and dished five assists in Friday's win. James finished a fast break off Smith's steal midway through the third with a behind-the-back find for a Smith, who was trailing the play, to give Dallas a 58-50 lead. James and Bueckers combined to hit 13-of-15 from the free throw line in the win over the Sun. 'We're a bunch of dogs on this team,' James said in her televised postgame interview. 'And I'm just ready when my number is called.' Advertisement Dallas scored a season high 109 points in the team's first trip to Connecticut this season, beating the Sun by 22 on May 27. Bueckers had a team-high 21 points in that win as well. Arike Ogunbowale was a non-factor for Dallas in the win, scoring just five points on 2-of-8 shooting in the win, until she hit a big shot late in the fourth. Bueckers passed out of a double-team at the top of the key to find Ogunbowale open for three along the left wing to put Dallas up 79-73 with less than three minutes to play. Tina Charles, the WNBA's second all-time leading scorer, led Connecticut with 26 points and six rebounds in the loss. Yueru contributed 11 points and nine boards off the bench for Dallas in her Wings' debut. More from
Yahoo
20-06-2025
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Storm center breaks silence on reported trade request
The post Storm center breaks silence on reported trade request appeared first on ClutchPoints. Seattle Storm center Li Yueru addressed her reported trade request on Wednesday, expressing her affection for the team while acknowledging her desire for more playing time. Her request comes on the heels of the WNBA opening an investigation into the Storm's coaching staff. Advertisement 'I don't want to be a bad or weird person,' Li said in a tweet shared by reporter Percy Allen on X, formerly Twitter. 'I love this team. I'd love to stay here because I'm so happy every day. When I only play with 3-4 minutes in a game, that's a bit sad for me. I hope I can feel happy and excited every day, and I hope I can get some more time.' Li's comments come after multiple reports earlier this week suggested she had formally requested a trade from the Storm. She clarified that her primary reason for coming to the United States was to play basketball and that the team environment has been supportive and positive. 'I came to America only for one reason, to play basketball. This team is really perfect,' Li said. 'This is the best team I've ever been on. We have the best post player in the world, we have four post players and I don't feel I have enough time.' Li added that despite making many new friends and enjoying her teammates, playing time remains her top priority. Advertisement 'I'm really happy and appreciate many different teammates. I make many new friends … staff and coach. They really make me feel happy, and I'm so glad for that,' she said. 'But playing is really important, almost like the most important thing for me.' The 6-foot-7 center, who joined Seattle from the Los Angeles Sparks in the offseason, has played sparingly so far in 2025. Her trade request follows earlier concerns about the Storm's coaching staff, which is currently under investigation by the WNBA and league security after allegations of harassment and bullying last year. It's not yet clear whether Li's trade request is related to the ongoing investigation. While the coaching probe is reportedly separate, it adds to a season of off-court turmoil for the Storm, who also lost veteran Jewell Loyd. Loyd requested a trade from the Storm and ultimately landed with the Las Vegas Aces this season. Related: Storm rumors: WNBA 'follows up' on allegation a coach cursed at Aces player Related: Storm rumors: Player asks for trade as coaching staff investigation starts
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- Sport
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Storm re-sign former draft pick after Wings trade
The post Storm re-sign former draft pick after Wings trade appeared first on ClutchPoints. The Seattle Storm announced Monday the team has signed forward Mackenzie Holmes to the active roster, as reported by Andrew Destin of the Associated Press. Her signing fills the vacancy created by Saturday's trade of center Li Yueru to the Dallas Wings. Advertisement Holmes, 24, rejoins the Storm after being selected No. 26 overall in the 2024 WNBA Draft but missing her rookie season due to knee surgery. Although she was signed to a rookie contract in February, she was waived during the preseason. In limited preseason action, Holmes showed promise, scoring nine points on 80% shooting while adding eight rebounds and three blocks in a May 4 game against the Connecticut Sun. A standout at Indiana University, Holmes left the Hoosiers as the program's all-time leader in points (2,530), field goals made (1,043), field goal percentage (63.9%) and career wins (123). Li Yueru requested trade from Storm to Wings due to limited playing time Jerome Miron-Imagn Images Her return comes just days after Seattle granted Yueru's trade request. The Storm sent the 6-foot-7 center to Dallas in exchange for a 2026 second-round pick (with swap rights involving the Connecticut Sun) and a 2027 third-round pick (with swap rights involving the Indiana Fever). Advertisement 'I came to America only for one reason, to play basketball. This team is really perfect,' Yueru said previously about her time on the Storm. 'This is the best team I've ever been on. We have the best post player in the world, we have four post players and I don't feel I have enough time.' Yueru, who averaged 2.8 points and 1.6 rebounds in 8.7 minutes over nine games with Seattle, cited limited playing time as the main reason for her request. 'I love this team. I'd love to stay here because I'm so happy every day,' Yueru told reporter Percy Allen, via ClutchPoints. 'When I only play with three-four minutes in a game, that's a bit sad for me. I hope I can feel happy and excited every day, and I hope I can get some more time.' Yueru, in her third WNBA season, joins a Wings team that is currently without centers Teaira McCowan and Luisa Geiselsoder due to EuroBasket obligations. Dallas, in need of frontcourt depth, next plays Tuesday against the Golden State Valkyries. Related: Sue Bird credits Geno Auriemma, UConn coaching staff for Hall of Fame honor Related: Wings acquire 6'7″ center in trade with Storm
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- Sport
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New Wings center's hilarious admission on joining Paige Bueckers after trade
The post New Wings center's hilarious admission on joining Paige Bueckers after trade appeared first on ClutchPoints. ARLINGTON, TX — The Dallas Wings acquired Li Yueru in a trade with the Seattle Storm on Saturday. Yueru, a 6'7″ center, will provide Dallas with crucial post depth after losing Teaira McCowan and Luisa Geiselsoder to EuroBasket. The 26-year-old had previously requested a trade from Seattle because she wanted more playing time, and one has to imagine that Yueru's minutes will increase given the Wings' current situation at the center position. In addition to the potential of more playing time, Yueru is excited about joining Paige Bueckers in Dallas. 'Yes, I'm really excited (to play with Bueckers),' Yueru told reporters at practice on Sunday. 'You know, yesterday, the news, showed everyone, a lot of friends told me, 'wow, you will play with Paige!' I said, 'yes, I do' (followed by laughter)… A lot of fans love her and they said she's the best… I will have a wonderful time with her.' Advertisement Bueckers — one of the most popular players in the league — also impressed Yueru after the two met and played together on Sunday at practice. 'She's cute. I just said hi this morning,' Yueru said of her first impression of Bueckers. 'I hope we can do something on the court, I hope we can build something together.' Yueru will help this Wings team without question. Her height will give her an automatic advantage in the post. She can score around the basket while protecting the rim on the other end of the floor. Additionally, Yueru is more than capable of shooting the ball from outside of the paint. Wings head coach Chris Koclanes believes Yueru can make a significant impact. 'Excited to add Li,' Koclanes told reporters Sunday. 'Dynamic post player, great size, inside out, smart. Gonna pick up actions quick. So, looking forward to adding her to the mix.' Advertisement Koclanes also thinks Yueru is an 'asset for the future.' 'We need post help,' the Wings head coach said. 'Right now, especially. To be able to add such a young asset for the future is great. Just excited.' The Wings are struggling in 2025. That is not a secret given their 1-11 record. Li Yueru is a player who can help Dallas turn things around, though. She is a tremendous fit for a roster in desperate need of center depth and overall size. Yueru will likely make her debut with the Wings on Tuesday at home against the Golden State Valkyries. Related: Wings acquire 6'7″ center in trade with Storm Related: Wings' Paige Bueckers jokingly reveals what 'traumatized' her into seafood phobia
