WNBA free agency might be one of the talented ones in recent years, but the franchises are also facing problems selecting players to protect in the upcoming expansion draft. As for the Dallas Wings, their star forward, Li Yueru, becomes the prime target for both expansion teams.
While the league will decide her fate in the coming months, the player made a shocking move in the basketball world, entering the business side of the sport. The China-born star launched a new basketball club, 5 wins, in the Serbian league, which will represent the city of Belgrade.
Li Yueru Becomes Owner Of Basketball Club
The Dallas Wings’ GM spoke about losing players to the expansion draft and could see one of their top young assets playing against them in the league. The team currently has two big decisions with the top pick for the upcoming draft too in the bag.
As for Yueru, though, the player made a huge splash in the business world, launching a new team alongside Serbian national team coach Maria Maljkovic. According to the Chinese Women’s Hoop Show, Wings center founded a new team, 5 Wins, which will compete in Belgrade, Serbia.
Breaking: Li Yueru has announced her new team, 5 Wins.
— Chinese Women's Hoop Show (@CWHoopShow) December 29, 2025
Instead of purchasing an existing club, Li has chosen to found a brand-new team in the holy city of basketball, Belgrade.
Former Serbian National Team head coach Marina Maljković will join Li Yueru in this new venture.
Li… pic.twitter.com/YuLnYJTDa5
They made it clear that she isn’t purchasing a new team and will not play for the organization, acting purely as its owner. She’ll receive assistance from the head coach of the women’s Serbian National team, Marina Maljković.
Scroll to continue reading
Trending WNBA News
The team will debut in the 2025-2026 season of the Serbian Basketball League (KLS), likely starting around October 2025.
The decision to enter the business world might come as a surprise to many, but her love for sports and her inspiration highlight her ambitious nature.
Dallas Wings’ Li Yueru Names Yao Ming As Her Basketball Inspiration
Many WNBA players admired and drew inspiration from veteran WNBA stars who had a profound impact on their game and helped bring them to the sport. As for the former Seattle Storm player, her national team hero and NBA player, Yao Ming, was a motivational factor.
“My family, they don’t have any people who play any sports. So I did not watch someone when I was growing up,” Yueru said in an interview. “But when I came to the China national team, I tried to become like Yao Ming. America has many, many people who know him. They know he played good in the NBA. I want to become like him. Let people know Chinese people can do some things.”
Li Yueru grew up idolizing Yao Ming and now dreams of paving a similar path on the global stage.
— In Case You Missed It with Khristina Williams (@ICYMIwithKW) July 25, 2025
Full conversation: https://t.co/AKnwMHgMZx pic.twitter.com/A9NNSTrBut
The Hall of Famer made the sport global with his exceptional gameplay, as well as his outstanding defensive skills. The Wings’ guard also has a towering presence around the rim, just like her country’s megastar, but is a more offensive star.