On Saturday, November 29, Chinese mainland center Han Xu made a statement in her WNBL debut, pouring in 22 points to drive the Perth Lynx to a convincing 91-67 victory over the Canberra Capitals on the road.
The 26-year-old, who arrived in Perth last week, wasted no time settling in. Her first basket—a smooth mid-range jumper—staked the Lynx to an early 4-0 advantage, and she doesn't look back. Han nailed all six of her field-goal attempts in the first half, helping Perth take a 43-36 lead into the break.
After the break, Han asserted her dominance in the paint, extending the lead to double digits. The FIBA World Cup silver medalist also showcased her playmaking chops, setting up teammate Amy Atwell for a jumper; Atwell matched Han’s 22-point haul as part of a well-balanced offense.
Late in the game, as Canberra threatened a comeback, Han tracked down a missed three-pointer, converted on the put-back and sealed her stat line with 22 points, 4 rebounds and 2 blocks. Her efficient floor presence (100 percent shooting in the first half) underscores her smooth transition from the WCBA and WNBA to Australia’s premier league.
With momentum on her side, Han Xu is set to make her home debut at RAC Arena on Friday, December 5, when the Southside Flyers travel west. Fans are already buzzing about the next chapter of her global basketball journey.
Reference(s):
Han Xu scores 22 points in WNBL debut, helps Perth Lynx grab 91-67 win
cgtn.com
