How a 211 cm giant rose to become a WNBA and international star
In short: Standing at 211 cm, Han Xu is one of the tallest players in basketball history. From being the youngest in her WNBA draft class to dominating international courts, her journey from China to the New York Liberty and beyond is a testament to elite scale and skill.
Born in Shijiazhuang, Hebei, on 31 October 1999, Han Xu has rapidly ascended through the ranks of professional basketball. She first made her mark in the Women's Chinese Basketball Association (WCBA), playing for the Xinjiang Magic Deer between 2018 and 2021 before moving to Sichuan JinQiang Chengdu / Yuanda Meile. Her dominance in China was undeniable, earning her the WCBA MVP title in both 2021 and 2022.
Han's entry into the WNBA was marked by her unique physical presence. Drafted 14th overall by the New York Liberty in 2019, she was the youngest player in that draft class. She stood as the league's tallest athlete and ranked second in WNBA history, trailing only Margo Dydek. This stature led to frequent comparisons to the legendary Chinese player Yao Ming.
Her international career has been equally impactful. Representing China, she helped the team secure a silver medal at the 2022 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup, where she was selected for the All-Star Five. During that competition, she recorded averages of 1.7 blocks, 8.4 rebounds, and 12.4 points per game. Her defensive skill was evident when she matched the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup blocks record, recording five blocks during a semi-final match against Australia.
Beyond the WNBA, Han has expanded her reach to the Australian WNBL. Following her 2025–26 Perth Lynx signing, she earned WNBL Defensive Player of the Year honours, averaging two blocks per game while guiding the squad to the Grand Final. Her career continues to evolve, with recent signings including the Geelong Venom for the 2026–27 season.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Han Xu (basketball)
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/history-han-xu-basketball.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Born on this day · More in History · Latest · A–Z · All topics
