Li Meng (basketball)

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Li Meng
Li Meng with the Washington Mystics in 2023
No. 3 – Washington Mystics
PositionShooting guard
LeagueWNBA
Personal information
Born (1995-01-02) 2 January 1995 (age 29)
Shenyang, Liaoning, China
Listed height6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Listed weight198 lb (90 kg)
Career information
WNBA draft2017: undrafted
Playing career2012–present
Career history
2012–2018Shenyang Army Golden Lions
2018–2021Bayi Kylin
2021–presentSichuan Yuanda
2023–presentWashington Mystics
Career highlights and awards
Medals
Women’s basketball
Representing  China
World Cup
Silver medal – second place 2022 Australia
Asia Cup
Gold medal – first place 2023 Australia
Silver medal – second place 2021 Jordan
Bronze medal – third place 2013 Bangkok
Bronze medal – third place 2017 Bangalore
Asian Games
Gold medal – first place 2022 Hangzhou Team
Gold medal – first place 2018 Jakarta Team
East Asian Games
Gold medal – first place 2013 Tianjin

Li Meng (Chinese: 李梦, born 2 January 1995) is a Chinese professional basketball player for the Washington Mystics of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) and 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[edit]

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[edit]

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, 2023, 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[edit]

Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game  RPG  Rebounds per game
 APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game  BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game
 TO  Turnovers per game  FG%  Field-goal percentage  3P%  3-point field-goal percentage  FT%  Free-throw percentage
 Bold  Career best ° League leader

Regular season[edit]

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG TO PPG
2023 Washington 34 1 15.9 .378 .364 .846 1.1 1.0 0.3 0.0 0.8 5.6
Career 1 year, 1 team 34 1 15.9 .378 .364 .846 1.1 1.0 0.3 0.0 0.8 5.6

Postseason[edit]

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG TO PPG
2023 Washington 2 0 7.0 .200 .250 0.0 0.0 0.5 0.0 0.5 1.5
Career 1 year, 1 team 2 0 7.0 .200 .250 0.0 0.0 0.5 0.0 0.5 1.5

References[edit]

  1. ^ "FIBA profile". fiba.com. Archived from the original on September 28, 2018. Retrieved 27 September 2014.
  2. ^ Eurobasket.com profile
  3. ^ "Li Meng soars high at Women's Basketball World Cup - China.org.cn". www.china.org.cn. Retrieved 18 June 2023.
  4. ^ Shoemaker, Steven (25 July 2023). "From China to the DMV, Li Meng's patience landed her lifelong dream with the Mystics". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved 1 February 2024.
  5. ^ "Feature: Li Meng chases basketball dream despite challenges - Xinhua | English.news.cn". Xinhua. Xinhua. Retrieved 1 February 2024.
  6. ^ "1-ON-1: Mystics rookie Li Meng discusses adjustment to WNBA basketball, teaches Wes Hall Mandarin". YouTube.
  7. ^ "Mystics Sign Li Meng to Training Camp Contract". Washington Mystics. Retrieved 1 February 2024.
  8. ^ Sun, Xiaochen. "Team China ace Li dials in to Mystics mission". www.chinadaily.com.cn. Retrieved 1 February 2024.
  9. ^ Sun, Xiaochen. "Li chasing her WNBA dream with Mystics tryout". www.chinadaily.com.cn. Retrieved 1 February 2024.

External links[edit]