'I Love This Feeling': Li Yueru Shows Potential in Dallas Wings Home Debut vs. Golden State Valkyries After Trade

Yueru admitted she’s still catching up with the team’s playbook and learning her teammates’ tendencies, but emphasized that her focus is on steady improvement, trusting that with more reps and communication, her confidence and timing will come naturally.

“I hope I can get better. Sometimes, I’m not sure if I ran the right play or the wrong play. I’m learning and trying to understand my teammates,” Yueru told DallasHoopsJournal.com.

Chris Koclanes, Arike Ogunbowale See Early Value

Wings head coach Chris Koclanes praised Yueru’s effort and physical presence, emphasizing how impressed he was with her ability to contribute meaningful minutes despite having just a few practices to learn the system and build chemistry with her new teammates.

“She was good,” Koclanes told DallasHoopsJournal.com.. “I thought we could have found her more often in the post. But I liked her physicality. She’s vocal, and she’s learning quickly.”

All-Star guard Arike Ogunbowale echoed that sentiment, highlighting Yueru’s relentless effort on the floor. She pointed out that while Yueru is still picking up the team’s offensive sets, her energy, hustle, and willingness to rebound and look for her shot help compensate for any schematic lapses.

“She’s just still trying to pick up the offense, obviously, but she plays hard and that covers for any mistakes,” Ogunbowale told DallasHoopsJournal.com.. “If you don’t know a lot, she plays hard. She tries to rebound. She looks for a shot. So I think she’s gonna keep going with this.”

Yueru acknowledged she’s still working on refining her role, noting that while her effort and communication were strong, she needs to sharpen her timing on post-ups, improve her screen angles, and make quicker reads on both ends of the floor to maximize her impact fully.

“Sometimes I miss the timing. Sometimes my teammates miss the timing. It’s our first game together, so we need to figure that out,” Yueru told DallasHoopsJournal.com. “I need to remind myself to post up more clearly, show my hands, call for the ball.”

Paint Presence, Rebounding Emphasis Pay Off

Yueru’s physicality helped establish an interior presence that the Wings had been missing in recent games, setting the tone as Dallas out-rebounded Golden State 39–28. Her screens and positioning created second-chance opportunities, contributing to the team’s 13–5 advantage on the offensive glass and providing much-needed stability in the paint.

“Everyone tried to do the best things on the court,” Yueru told DallasHoopsJournal.com. “I love that feeling. We want to win. We want everyone to know that we want to get better quickly.”

She also outlined the specific areas she wants to improve, particularly refining her screen angles, rolling with better timing, and making quicker defensive reads — all key elements she believes will elevate her impact as she gets more comfortable in the system.

“Sometimes I roll the wrong way after screens. I know I need to fix that,” Yueru told DallasHoopsJournal.com. “And my rebounding decision-making can be better. I want to improve all those things.”

Teammate Support and Family Backing

Yueru said her mother and several close friends in China were tuned in for her debut, waking up early to watch the game live despite the significant time difference. Their support, she noted, means everything, often offering encouragement and even a bit of postgame advice as she navigates this new chapter in Dallas.

“Sometimes they give me advice after the game,” Yueru told DallasHoopsJournal.com with a smile. “I know they worry about me, but they always say, ‘Do whatever you want.’ I’m really thankful for them.”

When she battled for position and forced a key jump ball late in the fourth quarter, a wave of cheers erupted from the College Park Center crowd. Yueru immediately took notice of the support, later saying she felt the fans’ energy and appreciation in that moment, something that made her feel truly welcomed.

“I could feel so much love from the fans,” Yueru told DallasHoopsJournal.com. “They said, ‘Welcome to Dallas,’ and I really appreciate that.”

She also praised her new teammates, specifically Paige Bueckers and Ogunbowale, for the trust they’ve already shown her on the court. Yueru said their confidence in her makes it easier to focus on simple, effective contributions—like setting strong screens and being ready in the post—while building chemistry day by day.

“They are the best players. I know they can do everything, so I just try to do easy things — post up, set screens, be ready,” Yueru told DallasHoopsJournal.com. “My friends love them more than me! But I’m glad for them and hope they keep playing like this the whole season.”

Yueru is still figuring out how best to contribute within the Wings’ system, as she adapts to a new playbook and personnel. But her mindset remains simple and team-focused.

“I just remind myself, be quickly, looking for who defend you and think about… what can you do,” Yueru told DallasHoopsJournal.com. “I want to learn fast. I want to help the team. That’s all.”

The Wings (2–11) will aim to build on this win when they host the Connecticut Sun on Friday. Tipoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. CT.