CHICAGO (March 30, 2022) — The Chicago Sky has acquired the rights to center Li Yueru from the Los Angeles Sparks in a sign and trade agreement that sent guard Lexie Brown to Los Angeles, Sky General Manager and Head Coach James Wade announced today.
"Li is an established player in China and on an international level, who adds much value," Wade said. "This is as much about our future as it is about now. We think she is going to be a good player in the WNBA for a very long time, so we're very happy that she will be playing in a Chicago Sky uniform.
At 6'7", Yueru, is a standout center for the Chinese national team, contributing an average of 14.8 points, 8.3 rebounds per game while shooting 78.6% from the field in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. A native of Changzhi, Shanxi, China, Yueru is currently competing in the Women's Chinese Basketball Association (WBCA) for Inner Magnolia, where she is averaging 8.0 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game.
Yeuru, 23, was originally drafted by the Atlanta Dream with the 35th overall pick in the third round of the 2019 WNBA Draft. Her rights were acquired by Los Angeles on Feb. 5, 2022.