Yang Shuyu Vows to Fight for Top Spot at Fiba Women's World Cup

New Chinese women’s basketball team captain Yang Shuyu has vowed to “fight 200 per cent” to be the best at the Fiba Women’s World Cup in Berlin in September.

Speaking on the 6th Woman Basketball Podcast in Australia, Yang, who joined National Basketball League 1 (NBL1) side Melbourne Tigers in April, also talked about the responsibility that came with her new identity when playing for her native country.

A runner-up four years ago, Yang said winning the silver medal in Sydney was a big and amazing moment for China.

“My goal is to be the best, but I think it’s not just about getting the gold medal,” the 24-year-old said. “It’s about what we can do [as a team], so we will fight 200 per cent to get it.”

Placed in Group D with reigning champions the United States, China will also face the Czech Republic and Italy. The top team of each of the four groups advances to the quarter-finals, with the second- and third-placed teams entering play-offs for spots in the final eight.

When national team head coach Gong Luming named Yang as his new captain, it marked the continuation of a legacy as Yang Liwei, her elder sister, was the national captain at the previous World Cup.