The Women’s Chinese Basketball Association (WCBA) is gearing up for high-quality basketball as the WNBA season comes to a close. Many WNBA veterans are choosing to play in China during the offseason to stay competitive and play at an international level during the WNBA break.
The connection between the WNBA and WCBA will continue to grow as numerous players from the WNBA head to China to play.
Same faces, new-ish places
The WCBA will see a significant presence of American professional players this season. Players like Liz Cambage, Jonquel Jones, Chennedy Carter, Ty Harris, and NaLyssa Smith are all set to play for various teams in China.
WCBA 2024-2025 SEASON | #Updated
Group AA1: Sichuan, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Shandong, Xinjiang, FujianA2: Inner Mongolia, Guangdong, Shanghai, Shanxi, Beijing, Hebei
Group BWuhan, Shaanxi, Heilongjiang, Tianjin, Xiamen, Anhui, Liaoning, Jiangxi, Henan
#WNBAOverseas x… pic.twitter.com/oWRtG3LgsC
— ʀᴏᴏᴋɪᴇ (@CoachRookie) October 23, 2024
Each WCBA team can sign up to three foreign players this season. Here’s where some WNBA players will be competing, with the possibility of more joining teams once the season starts.
Sichuan: Liz Cambage, Jonquel Jones (New York Liberty)
Shanghai: Kamilla Cardoso (Chicago Sky)
Zhejiang: Ezinne Kalu (Atlanta Dream), NaLyssa Smith (Indiana Fever)
Beijing: Cheyenne Parker-Tyus (Atlanta Dream), Aari McDonald (Los Angeles Sparks)
Shanxi: Olivia Nelson-Ododa (Connecticut Sun), Kelsey Mitchell (Indiana Fever
Wuhan: Chennedy Carter (Chicago Sky)
Shandong: Alanna Smith (Minnesota Lynx), Marquesha Davis (New York Liberty)
Liaoning: Ty Harris (Connecticut Sun)
Inner Mongolia: Kalani Brown (Dallas Wings), Natisha Hiedeman (Minnesota Lynx)
HeNan: Odyssey Sims (Los Angeles Sparks)
Anhui: Kiana Williams (Seattle Storm)
Jiangsu: Kaela Davis (Chicago Sky)
Heilongjiang: Myisha Hines-Allen (Minnesota Lynx), Mercedes Russell (Seattle Storm)
Shaanxi: Diamond DeShields (Chicago Sky)
Jiangxi: Jaylyn Sherrod (New York Liberty)
The WCBA season kicks off on Nov. 15 in Chengdu, Sichuan, with teams getting ready by participating in preseason tournaments.
NaLyssa Smith has arrived in Wuhan for a preseason tournament. Kalani Brown was also on her way.
Wuhan are led by the reigning scoring leader Chennedy Carter.#WCBA pic.twitter.com/1IxiyH9DSd
— Chinese Women’s Hoop Show (@CWHoopShow) November 6, 2024
The upcoming WCBA season promises to showcase top women’s basketball talent from the United States, China, and beyond, bringing excitement and competition to the court.