MELBOURNE, May 28 (Xinhua) -- China national team guard Wang Siyu has signed with Australia's Southside Melbourne Flyers for the 2026/27 Women's National Basketball League season, the club said on Thursday, pending league approval.
Wang, known as "Rainy," is one of "Asia's premier basketball talents" and a two-time Olympian, having represented China at the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Games. She was also instrumental in China's runner-up finish at the 2022 FIBA Women's World Cup, said a WNBL statement.
Wang is expected to represent China at the 2026 FIBA World Cup in September.
The 30-year-old said she was attracted by the WNBL's physical, fast-paced style of play, which provides the ideal environment to continue developing her game as she pursues a Women's National Basketball Association career.
"I'm very excited to join the Southside Melbourne Flyers and compete in the WNBL," Wang said, adding she hopes to engage with Melbourne's Chinese community and contribute to the team's success.
Southside Melbourne Flyers head coach Sam Mackinnon described Wang as "an exceptional talent and an outstanding leader," adding that "her experience at the highest international level will have an enormous impact on our playing group."
Club owner Gerry Ryan said the signing would also help broaden the league's appeal in multicultural Melbourne and beyond. ■
