When Team USA plays against China on Friday, Sept. 4, in the FIBA Women’s World Cup opener for both teams, the Americans’ opponent will be without a key player.
Li Yueru, who plays for the Dallas Wings, said in a statement posted on her Instagram account her passport was lost in the mail, preventing her from traveling to Berlin, Germany, to join the Chinese national team for the World Cup.
Yueru had previously played for China at the 2021 and 2024 Olympics, and in the 2022 World Cup where the Chinese captured the silver medal. This time around, her team will have to compete without her.
“The national team have always made me feel valued and wanted, and it has always been a tremendous honor to represent China. I was incredibly excited and looking
forward to joining the national team again,” Yueru said. “Unfortunately, my passport was lost in the mail and still hasn’t been found. Throughout this time, we’ve all been working hard together and exploring every possible solution, but maybe we were just a little short on luck this time.
“As of today, the passport is still missing.”
A 6-foot-7 center, Yueru powered China in the 2024 Summer Games in Paris, France, leading the team in points, rebounds and field-goal percentage. She averaged 17.7 points, 11 rebounds and shot 63% from the field at the Olympics in Paris — leading all players in the tournament in rebounding.
With the Wings this season, Yueru is averaging 3.3 points and 2.6 rebounds per game off the bench. This is her fifth full season in the WNBA since the Atlanta Dream drafted her in the third round in 2019.
“Sometimes, disappointment is simply part of life,” Yueru continued in her Instagram post. “I’m sad that I won’t be able to be there this time, but I’m incredibly grateful for everyone who has supported me and continues to support Chinese women’s basketball.”
Without Yueru, China will likely lean on New York Liberty center Han Xu in the frontcourt. She was the fifth-leading rebounder at the 2022 World Cup and made the all-tournament team.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Li Yueru of Dallas Wings will not play for China at FIBA World Cup due to lost passport
