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Basketball’s world is very electric; many players are in the spotlight before the Paris Olympics. One such player who has caught the eye and turned on the debate is Han Xu. This giant Chinese center will delightfully attract world attention as she takes to the Paris basketball court. She is slowly turning into a star power by gaining a stellar reputation and being followed across her games.

If Xu plays to the best of her abilities, then China will have a legitimate shot at medalling. That could translate into the Olympic tournament as well because, even against elite competition, she is extremely adept at using her size and diversity. If China can maximize those abilities, they will have a special player whose game resembles that of a complete player. But, before we move further, let’s have a look at her hooping journey so far.

Exploring Han Xu’s career

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Standing at a colossally impressive 6’11”, Han Xu has found her way into the big time at the young age of 24; she is already established to be one of the most dominant forces on the women’s basketball scene today. She has flourished over the past couple of years with her extraordinary abilities and can just command the court. While China begins its preparation for the Olympics, huge expectations rest on the shoulders of Han to lead her team to the ultimate glory.

Han Xu was born on October 31, 1999, in Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China. That makes her one of the world’s tallest professional female basketball players, towering at 6’11”. With this height, she has a clear advantage while playing both offensively and defensively.

For Xu, who is the first Chinese player to be drafted to the WNBA in 22 years, to get to the top was quite the experience. Han was picked 14th overall by the New York Liberty during the 2019 draft and at just 19 years old was the youngest player from her draft class. Han’s rise to prominence has been nothing short of meteoric and the exhibits of the same are found in her stats.

Han Xu’s stats

Equally impressive has been Han’s accuracy in the game. She averaged 8.5 points with 3.6 rebounds in the 2022 season game. She shot so brilliantly, leading the roster with 49.3% field goal and 44.4% shots from the three-point range.

Xu’s improvement from her rookie season was striking. Scoring only once in double figures in 18 appearances as a rookie, she piled over 10 points in 13 games in her sophomore season. She also set a Liberty franchise record for the most number of consecutive field goals made at 10-10 in a historic win against Las Vegas.

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She played in both the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2022 and the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup 2023. In the World Cup, Han was able to average an impressive performance line of 12.4 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per contest. Her brilliant play earned her a spot in the mythical five of the tournament, together with basketball stars A’ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart, Bridget Carleton, and Steph Talbot.

Han was at the peak of control in the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup 2023. She recorded an incredible average of 22.0 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks. She showcased all-around excellence, hitting an average of 1.8 three-pointers per game. This stellar performance earned her the TISSOT MVP award and was instrumental in securing China’s first title since 2011. However, whether would it be possible for her to keep up the same performance in the upcoming Olympics is a question on the minds of many.

Looking forward to Paris

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The coming Paris Olympics will have all eyes on Han Xu. She is one to watch at this Olympics, with her towering athletics and great record to rely on. The question on everybody’s mind is whether she can replicate her dominant performances on the Olympic stage.

With the right mix of size, skill, and experience, Han is a potential game-changer for the Chinese team. Basketball fans will be keenly watching whether she can lead out her team to Olympic glory.

Han Xu is the story of blossoming from a draft pick into an international sensation in basketball through talent and hard work. One thing is surely going to happen when she steps on the biggest stage in the world in Paris: a name to be remembered and in the limelight for years to come.

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Stay tuned for more such updates, and to follow what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, has to say about the infamous Shaq-Kobe feud, Caitlin Clark’s Olympic snub, and more, watch this video.