Who is Li Yueru? Meet China's 6'7" center whose 31-point and 15-rebound game went in vain vs Spain in Olympic Women's Basketball

Li Yueru shined as a knight in shining armor when China faced adversity against Spain in a group-stage game at the 2024 Paris Olympics. However, her marvelous efforts to lead her team onto the victory path were in vain, as Spain clutched it all in the last moments.

Yueru is a Chinese professional basketball player who has played in professional basketball leagues in Turkey, China and the United States of America. Yueru is 6 feet 7 inches tall, which gives her a natural advantage in basketball. She played in the 2017 FIBA Women's Asia Cup.

The 25-year-old Shanxi native was drafted by the Atlanta Dream in 2019. Before the international break in the WNBA, the LA Sparks traded an eight-overall pick for Li Yueru and Julie Allemand.

She is part of the Los Angeles Sparks' roster in the WNBA and is currently representing the People's Republic of China in the 2024 Paris Olympics.

China faced Spain in a thrilling group-stage game on Sunday, which ended in a close 90-89 defeat for the Chinese Women's National Basketball Team.

The game was a rollercoaster trip for the viewers, as both teams dominated each other in different quarters. China jumped up to a big lead early on, outscoring Spain 22–13.

However, the Spanish were determined not to leave without a win, as they closed the lead in the following two quarters. After a tough fight in the final quarter, the game went to overtime, which Spain secured with a single-point difference.

Li Yueru single-handedly carried her team through the entire match, scoring a double-double in the process. She scored 31 points, collected 15 rebounds and dished out a single assist.

Sun Mengran supported her fellow teammate with 10 points and a rebound. Former Washington Mystics player Li Meng also stepped up to share the burden, scoring a double-double with 13 points, one rebound, and 10 assists.

LA Sparks head coach's praise comes true as Li Yueru stars in her Olympic debut

The Los Angeles Sparks' head coach, Curt Miller, praised Li Yueru before her Olympics campaign with China.

"Li is currently having an outstanding season in Turkey and will play a huge role for the Chinese National Team in the upcoming Olympics. Li has great size and will provide a nice post presence for the future," Miller said.

His prediction of Yueru playing a huge role for her national team has come true, as the 6-foot-7 center dominated her debut game against Spain. It also confirmed that the Chinese international will be a great asset for the LA Sparks once the international break ends and the WNBA season resumes.