Nicknamed the “Female Shaq,” Li Yueru isn’t just a basketball player but also an international pedigree who’s been dominating the basketball court since her teen years. And if you’ve got any sort of doubt, then consider her averaging 22.1 points and 16.1 rebounds in the 2015 FIBA U16 Asian Championship. And with time, her presence has only grown stronger.

Just last year, at the 2024 Olympic Qualifying Tournament, she dropped 22 points and grabbed 23 rebounds in a single game, the most boards recorded in Olympic qualifying play since 2008. Even in the WNBA, where she’s still finding her rhythm, Li has shown flashes of range and efficiency, shooting 50% from beyond the arc during her stint with the Seattle Storm. But off the court, Li’s story is just as inspiring, especially when it comes to her love life!

What is Li Yueru’s relationship status? Who is she dating?

Well, Li has always been the subject of speculation when it comes to her relationship status, but to everyone’s surprise, she’s consistently kept that part of her life private. Even now, there’s no update on whether she’s dating anyone. But one thing’s for certain: there’s one relationship the 26-year-old Dallas Wings center is fully committed to.

And that’s basketball. In fact, that commitment is what led her to sign with the Dallas Wings after initially being part of the Seattle Storm in 2025. She joined Seattle as part of the Jewell Loyd trade, but soon made headlines by requesting a trade due to limited minutes on the court. “I came to America only for one reason,  just that I want to play basketball,” she shared in a candid interview after practice.

Despite her appreciation for the teammates and coaching staff in Seattle, Li made it clear that playing time is her top priority. And it all makes sense considering she’s led the Chinese National team in both scoring and rebounding at the Paris Olympics, consistent minutes in the WNBA are essential, not just for her personal growth, but also for her continued role back home with Team China.

So, you can see just how committed she is to the game, so much so that she left a top-ranked team like the Seattle Storm in pursuit of more playing time, even if it meant landing with the struggling Dallas Wings. But taking the road less traveled has never been new for Li Yueru. After all, she’s known for forging her own path and owning it.

Which college did Li Yueru attend?

Well, for her, the traditional college path was never part of the equation. Unlike many WNBA players who hone their skills in the NCAA, Li bypassed college entirely and turned professional at just 15 years old. She joined the Guangdong Dolphins in the Women’s Chinese Basketball Association (WCBA), marking the start of her professional career back in 2015.

That decision, no doubt, was huge, as it marked the beginning of her career in China’s top women’s league and allowed her to gain early exposure to high-level competition. And then, over the years, she continued her development with both Guangdong and later Inner Mongolia, becoming one of the top centers in the WCBA.

And, as her performance caught international attention, she was selected in the 2019 WNBA Draft, picked 35th overall by the Atlanta Dream. However, instead of immediately joining the league, Li opted to stay in China and Europe to further refine her game before making the transition to the WNBA.

Then, she officially made her WNBA debut in 2022 with the Chicago Sky after her rights were traded from the Atlanta Dream to the LA Sparks and eventually to Chicago. Since then, her journey has seen her spend the 2024 season with the Sparks, earning more playing time, followed by signing with the Seattle Storm in 2025, before moving to the Dallas Wings. So, this was how Li, without NCAA experience, has a unique path to W.