On April 14, Beijing time, Chinese women's basketball captain Yang Liwei flew to Los Angeles, where she will undergo special training for two weeks, and then join Los Angeles Spark to prepare for the new season of the WNBA league. The Chinese Basketball Association opened the door to women's basketball players this year and supported them to compete in the WNBA league. Yang Liwei signed a two-year contract with Spark.
Yang Liwei, the captain of the Chinese women's basketball team, can play both point guard and shooting guard, and she hopes to contribute to the resurgence of the Los Angeles spark.
The Los Angeles Sparks won the WNBA three times in 2001, 2002 and 2016, but the team is now a weakstarter. Since the departure of team leader Candace Parker, the Sparks' competitiveness has declined. At the heart of the spark now is Ennecka Ohumik, a seven-time All-Star Game player who won the regular-season MVP in 2016. The Sparks also have Cheney Ohumik, Enneka's sister.
Yang Liwei will compete for a backcourt position, and she has proven herself at international competitions. For his own characteristics, Yang Liwei summed up 4 major advantages: "My advantages are fast speed, sharp breakthroughs, I can be competent for the No. 1 and 2 positions, can adapt to high-pressure defense, and have rich experience in handling key balls." I believe my characteristics can help the team even more. ”
As she herself said, the first advantage is fast speed and sharp breakthrough, which is a major feature of Yang Liwei's attack. Yang Liwei's second advantage is that he can play the number one and two positions, the third feature is to adapt to high-pressure defense, and the fourth feature is rich experience in key ball handling.
Yang Liwei is no longer a young player, and is now in his prime. Yang Liwei sprained his ankle during the WCBA playoffs this season, and the team lost to the Sichuan women's basketball team in the third game of the finals, failing to achieve three consecutive championships.
After the playoffs, Yang Liwei actively carried out rehabilitation and physical training. This is Yang Liwei's first time in the ocean, and she is actively preparing.
Now she chooses to go to Los Angeles for two weeks before joining Spark, so that it is possible to find form at the beginning of training camp and make a good impression on the coaching staff.
Yang Liwei faces some competitors at Spark. Jasmine Thomas and Clarenton are all good players, and it is very difficult for Yang Liwei to get the starting position.