Han chasing WNBA dream

Chinese center Han Xu has arrived in Los Angeles to await next month’s WNBA draft and possibly a chance to realize her dream of playing professionally in the United States.

Han, who will turn 19 on Oct 31, will undergo physical exams and begin training next Wednesday after an extended rest. Several of the WNBA’s 12 teams have shown interest in the 6-foot-10 (2.07meter) teenager ahead of the April 10 draft.

“After my first season in the Chinese league, I think I have to improve in terms of strength, technique and physical condition,” Han said before leaving for California.

Han played for Xinjiang Magic Deer this season after graduating from Tsinghua University High School of Beijing. Xinjiang lost to Beijing Great Wall in the playoffs and Han was given permission by the Chinese Basketball Association to take her chances in the US.

Han, who led Team China to the Asian Games title in Indonesia last summer and a sixth-place finish at the World Cup, could be joined by three of her national teammates at the WNBA draft.

Li Meng, from Bayi Kylin, and Yang Liwei and Li Yueru, from Guangdong Vermilion Birds, are currently squaring off in the bestof-five WCBA Finals, which will wrap up on March 23 at the latest.

Zheng Haixia became the first Chinese player in WNBA when she debuted with the LA Sparks in 1997. She was followed in 2005 by Sui Feifei and Miao Lijie, who suited up for the Sacramento Monarchs.