Han Xu (simplified Chinese: 韩旭; traditional Chinese: 韓旭; pinyin: Hán xù; born 31 October 1999) is a Chinese basketball player who most recently played for the New York Liberty of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). Han was drafted in the second round (14th overall) by the Liberty in the 2019 WNBA draft.[1] The 6'11" Han[2] represented China at the 2016 FIBA Under-17 World Championship for Women, the 2017 FIBA Under-19 Women's Basketball World Cup and the 2018 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup and 2022 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup.[3]
Han was drafted by the New York Liberty 14th overall in the 2019 WNBA draft.[4] She was the youngest player in her draft class.[5]
In her rookie season, she was the tallest player in the league and the second-tallest player in league history, behind Margo Dydek. She drew comparisons to male Chinese international basketball player Yao Ming.[6][5]
In May 2020, it was announced that Han would sit out the 2020 WNBA season to remain in China due to the coronavirus pandemic.[7][8]
She was MVP of the WCBA in 2021 and 2022.[9]
Han Xu was selected as Google All-Star Five in 2022 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup. She averaged 12.4 points, 8.4 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game, helping China take their first silver medal since the last time the event was hosted in Australia back in 1994.[10] In the semi-final game versus Australia, Han Xu had a career high for China with a stunning performance as she equalled the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup blocks record with 5 swats. She also accumulated an efficiency score of 33 after registering 19 points from 80 percent floor shooting and completing a double-double with 11 rebounds.[11]