Chinese basketball player Li Yueru may not play in the upcoming WNBA season, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
China Sports Vision is reporting that Li has not been permitted to play in the WNBA by the Chinese Basketball Federation, according to the Sun-Times. Li’s agent, Mike Cound, has not received confirmation of the accuracy of the reports.
The last conversation between Cound, Li and Sky head coach and general manager James Wade happened about 10 days ago and, according to Cound, Li was excited to arrive in Chicago.
“Yueru definitely wants to come to Chicago right now,” Cound said.
But Wade called the situation “fluid.”
“The most important thing is getting Li here with [the Chinese Basketball Federation’s] blessing, knowing that we’re going to add to her growth as a basketball player that represents China,” he said.
Li’s rights were traded to the Sky by Los Angeles in exchange for Lexie Brown. From there, the Sky signed her to a rookie-scale contract.
Training camp begins Sunday, but according to the Sun-Times, the soonest Li could arrive in the United States is next month, if she has the approval of the basketball federation.