Li Yueru Bio: Net Worth, Salary, and Professional Career

The Shanxi prodigal basketball center Li Yueru has made her mark in the world of basketball. Her height wa one of the firsts to catch the eye of the fans and the audience. She has been able to craft herself and season her game through continuous participation in international competitions and championships.

Her presence in big international leagues like the Women’s Basketball Super League and the Chinese National Team has increased her popularity in the WNBA league. She began her professional career with Guangdong Vermilion Birds in the Chinese Women’s Basketball Association, where she earned multiple all-star honors and helped lead her team to success.

Li was drafted by the Atlanta Dream in the 2019 WNBA Draft, in the third round as the 35th overall but made her WNBA debut in 2022 with the Chicago Sky, contributing size, rebounding, and interior defense. Renowned and popular for her post moves and efficiency near the basket, Li continues to represent China on the international stage, playing a key role in major tournaments such as the FIBA Women’s World Cup and the Olympics.

Li Yueru's Early Life

Li Yueru was born and raised in the Changzhi region of Shanxi, China. According to FIBA data, her parents are exceptionally tall. Her genetic traits of being tall were visible at the age of 11. She was already 5’11” at that time. Li Yueru's height difference significantly stemmed insecurities in her, to eliminate this insecurity, Li Yueru's parents introduced her to basketball. Additionally Li Yueru's weight stands at 111k because of her tremendous height.

Turns out that she felt more comfortable and confident among peers who did not feel that Li Yueru was abnormal. As she gained consistency in her game, she quickly rose through elite training programs, including the Jiaozuo Amateur Basketball School and then the Dongguan Basketball School and by 2015, she dominated the FIBA U16 Women’s Asian Championship and earned MVP and best five honors.

Li Yueru's Personal Information

Li Yueru’s personal information is not an open book to basketball fanatics because most of her information is yet to get public. Recently, the Dallas Wings acquired Chinese national team standout Li Yueru from the Seattle Storm on June 14. Yueru acknowledged she’s still adjusting but is focused on contributing wherever she’s needed. According to Dallashoopsjournal, she said during the interview,

She emphasized that rebounding and defense as areas where she can make an immediate impact. Let's look at the major information that is available about Li Yueru.

Li Yueru's Personal Life

Li Yueru's personal life on a personal level and especially on an individual level, involved Li Yueru suffering in the start. However, she transformed her misery into a means to get praise and recognition for her sports skills. Li Yueru's age is 25 as of now.

So let’s take a look at the initial years of Yueru as a basketball player. She’s affectionately nicknamed both “Xiaobao” meaning little treasure and the “Female O’Neal/Shaq” for her sweet demeanor and dominant presence. In an interview with FIBA, she reflects on her basketball journey saying that,

Li Yueru's Parents

Much of the information related to Li Yueru is not available. According to FIBA, her parents were the key figures in guiding her to the sport of basketball. They supported her like none other, and she gave them incredible outcomes after just five years of playing the game.

Li Yueru's Contract

Li Yueru's contract involved entering the WNBA in 2022 after being drafted 35th overall in 2019. She signed a three-year rookie-scale contract with the Chicago Sky, worth a total of $186,920. In 2024, she joined the Los Angeles Sparks on a one-year deal valued at $64,767. She signed a one-year contract with the Seattle Storm worth $66,079 ahead of the year 2025 and has already requested a move seeking increased playing time.

With her recent request involving more play time, she has been subsequently acquired by the Dallas Wings in June 2025, which is very recently. Her current contract with the Wings carries the same 2025 base salary of $66,079, as her rights have not been traded, not re signed mid season.

Li Yueru's Salary

Li Yueru's salary started her WNBA journey with a three-year rookie contract worth $186,920 total, averaging around $62,300 per season, and earned approximately $60,471 in her debut year (2022) with the Chicago Sky. She continued to rise modestly, earning $64,767 with the Los Angeles Sparks in 2024. In 2025, Li signed a one-year veteran deal with the Seattle Storm for $66,079, paid at the full league minimum, recently she was traded for the Dallas Wings, her salary remaining the same as that of Seattle Storm. This marks steady growth in her earnings as she establishes herself in the league.

Li Yueru's Net Worth

While Li Yueru's net worth is not publicly disclosed it has been noted that it must be around $5M-$7M range, keeping in mind that it was $5M in 2023, it is expected to be in the upper limit nearly $7M as of 2025.

Li Yueru's Career

Li Yueru's career became a prominent face and topic in China’s WCBA with the Guangdong teams, where she managed to become a dominant center, additionally earning three WCBA championships, a Finals MVP, and leading the league in scoring.

She was drafted by the Atlanta Dream in 2019, debuted in the WNBA in 2022 with the Chicago Sky, then played for the Los Angeles Sparks in 2024. In 2025, after requesting more playing time, she was traded mid season to the Dallas Wings. Internationally, she has been representing China since 2017 and also made her debut in the Olympics at the 2024 Paris Olympics with an impressive 17.7 PPG and 11.0 RPG and the Asia/Olympic qualifying events, including a record breaking 22/23 game in 2024.

Li Yueru's High School Career

Li Yueru's high school career started in 2010 at the age of 11, Li Yueru was enrolled in Jiaozuo Amateur Basketball School in Henan Province to learn the basics of basketball. In 2011, she was spotted by scouts and transferred to Dongguan Basketball School, one of China’s elite youth development programs. Additionally, she demonstrated significant growth in skill and physical development through these formative years .

Li Yueru's College Career

Li Yueru's college career does not involve her in attending any college. At the age of 16, she directly entered her professional career when she played for the Guangdong Dolphins in the WCBA from 2015-2020. Additionally she played for Inner Mongolia from 2020 to 2023.

Li Yueru's Professional Career

Li Yueru's professional career includes her being able to make her 2022 debut with limited minutes, averaging 5 minutes per game, showing early promise in shooting and fundamentals. In 2024, she became a more regular contributor with 14.4 minutes per game, producing 5.1 PPG and 3.7 RPG on strong efficiency, according to ESPN. In the 2025 season, Li has averaged 9.1 MPG with 2.9 PPG bench production reflecting her evolving role across two teams.

Li Yueru's Awards and Achievements

Li Yueru's awards and achievements involve her earning recognition both domestically and internationally for her dominant presence as a center. In the WCBA, she has won three championships, including leading the Guangdong Dolphins to the 2019 WCBA title, where she was named Finals MVP. She has been a multi-time WCBA All-Star and earned league honors for scoring and rebounding. On the international level, Li played a key role in helping China win silver at the 2022 FIBA Women’s World Cup and secure Olympic qualification with standout performances at the 2021 Tokyo and 2024 Paris Olympics, where she was among the tournament’s top performers. She has also been named MVP of youth-level competitions, including the 2015 FIBA U16 Asian Championship.