Li Meng (basketball) explained

Li Meng
Height Ft:6
Height In:0
Weight Lbs:198
Position:Shooting guard
Birth Date:1995 1, df=yes
Birth Place:Shenyang, Liaoning, China
League:Women's Chinese Basketball Association
Team:Sichuan Yuanda
Draft League:WNBA
Draft Year:2017
Career Start:2012
Years1:2012–2018
Team1:Shenyang Army Golden Lions
Years2:2018–2021
Team2:Bayi Kylin
Years3:2021–present
Team3:Sichuan Yuanda
Team4:Washington Mystics
Highlights:

Li Meng (born 2 January 1995) is a Chinese professional basketball player for Sichuan Yuanda of the Women's Chinese Basketball Association (WCBA.) She has also represented the Chinese national team, where she participated at the 2014,[1] [2] 2018 FIBA World Championship, and 2022 FIBA World Championship.[3]

Early life

Meng grew up in Shenyang, Liaoning.[4] She was recognized for her athletic ability from a young age, with her parents enrolling her in swim lessons at age four. However, after a year of swimming, Meng began suffering from earache and stopped swimming following her doctor's advice. Instead, she began playing basketball at age five.[5] Meng had two dreams as a child: to play for the Chinese women's national basketball team, and to play in the WNBA.[6]

WNBA

On March 13, 2023, Meng signed a training camp contract with the Washington Mystics of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA).[7] On May 1, 2023, Meng confirmed via social media that she had earned a spot on the Mystics' regular season roster,[8] making her the third Chinese national to play in the WNBA, after Han Xu and Yang Liwei.[9]

On April 22, 2024, Li Meng tallied 23 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 steals in Game 5 of the 2024 WCBA finals to defeat Inner Mongolia and win the WCBA finals. She was named Finals MVP.

WNBA career statistics

Regular season

|-| style='text-align:left;'| 2023| style='text-align:left;'| Washington| 34 || 1 || 15.9 || .378 || .364 || .846 || 1.1 || 1.0 || 0.3 || 0.0 || 0.8 || 5.6|-| style='text-align:left;'| Career| style='text-align:left;'| 1 year, 1 team| 34 || 1 || 15.9 || .378 || .364 || .846 || 1.1 || 1.0 || 0.3 || 0.0 || 0.8 || 5.6

Postseason

|-| align="left" | 2023| align="left" | Washington| 2 || 0 || 7.0 || .200 || .250 || — || 0.0 || 0.0 || 0.5 || 0.0 || 0.5 || 1.5|-| align="left" | Career| align="left" | 1 year, 1 team| 2 || 0 || 7.0 || .200 || .250 || — || 0.0 || 0.0 || 0.5 || 0.0 || 0.5 || 1.5|}

Notes and References

  1. Web site: FIBA profile . https://web.archive.org/web/20180928201310/http://www.fiba.basketball/world/women/2014/player/Meng-Li . live . September 28, 2018 . fiba.com . 27 September 2014.
  2. https://basketball.asia-basket.com/player/202156 Eurobasket.com profile
  3. Web site: Li Meng soars high at Women's Basketball World Cup - China.org.cn . 18 June 2023 . www.china.org.cn.
  4. Web site: Shoemaker . Steven . From China to the DMV, Li Meng's patience landed her lifelong dream with the Mystics . Yahoo Sports . 1 February 2024 . 25 July 2023.
  5. Web site: Feature: Li Meng chases basketball dream despite challenges - Xinhua English.news.cn . Xinhua . 1 February 2024.
  6. Web site: 1-ON-1: Mystics rookie Li Meng discusses adjustment to WNBA basketball, teaches Wes Hall Mandarin . YouTube . 26 July 2023 . en.
  7. Web site: Mystics Sign Li Meng to Training Camp Contract . Washington Mystics . 1 February 2024 . en.
  8. Web site: Sun . Xiaochen . Team China ace Li dials in to Mystics mission . www.chinadaily.com.cn . 1 February 2024.
  9. Web site: Sun . Xiaochen . Li chasing her WNBA dream with Mystics tryout . www.chinadaily.com.cn . 1 February 2024.