The 6-foot-7 WNBA player Li Yueru is set to request a trade during the season, as first reported by Athlon Sports. Things haven’t unfolded as she hoped in the 2025 WNBA season so far. After playing for the Los Angeles Sparks in 2024, Yueru was traded to the Seattle Storm and signed a new contract, following several interruptions in her international basketball career.
Yueru, who played for China at the 2022 FIBA Women’s World Cup in Australia and helped secure a silver medal, is now seeking a fresh opportunity. Khristina Williams from Iheart Women’s Sports shared that a representative for Yueru has officially asked the Seattle Storm for a trade.
At 26 years old and standing 6 feet 7 inches tall, Yueru is one of the tallest players in the league. Originally drafted 35th overall by the Atlanta Dream in the 2019 WNBA Draft, she has been playing professional basketball since 2015. This season, she has appeared in eight games, averaging 9.1 minutes per game with 2.9 points and 1.6 rebounds, including a recent performance against the Dallas Wings where she scored six points and grabbed one rebound in six minutes.
Seattle’s frontcourt features Ejimagbegort, who averages 7.1 points and eight rebounds per game, while veteran forward Nneka Ogwumike leads the team with nine rebounds and 16.5 points per game. The Storm started the season 4-4 and currently sit fourth in the Western Conference, preparing to face the Phoenix Mercury this Saturday.
There is no word yet on how Seattle will respond to Yueru’s trade request.
Fan Take: Li Yueru’s trade demand highlights the challenges international players sometimes face adjusting in the WNBA, making this a pivotal moment for both her career and the league’s global talent integration. WNBA fans should watch closely, as this move could influence future team dynamics and international player management in the sport.
