Li Yueru’s arrival in the United States might have hit a snag, according to reports from China Sports Vision on Twitter.
The account shared a report stating Li hasn’t been permitted by the Chinese Basketball Federation to play in the WNBA this season. Li’s agent, Mike Cound, hasn’t received any confirmation that the reports are accurate.
Cound said that the last conversation he had with Li and Sky coach/general manager James Wade took place roughly 10 days ago and that Li was eager to arrive in Chicago.
‘‘Yueru definitely wants to come to Chicago right now,’’ Cound said.
‘‘It’s very fluid,’’ Wade said. ‘‘The most important thing is getting Li here with [the Chinese Basketball Federation’s] blessing, knowing that we’re going to add to her growth as a basketball player that represents China.’’
The Sky acquired Li’s rights from the Sparks for Lexie Brown and promptly signed her to a rookie-scale contract. Li originally was drafted by the Dream in 2019. Wade told the Sun-Times in a previous interview that signing Li is about the present and future success of the Sky.
The best-case scenario would have Li in the United States in a month, but her participation — along with that of all other Chinese players in the WNBA — is subject to the approval of her federation. Cound said she is in the process of applying for a personal passport.
Training camp begins Sunday, and the Sky have 18 players signed. The maximum number of players allowed in camp at any time is 15, but Wade knows a number of players will arrive late.
For the first time since her rookie season, Courtney Vandersloot will be in camp on Day 1. Other Sky veterans expected in camp on Day 1 are Allie Quigley and Azura Stevens.
The Sky didn’t have a pick in the WNBA Draft on Monday after dealing their first-round pick in a three-team sign-and-trade deal that sent Diamond DeShields to the Mercury, brought Julie Allemand to the Sky and sent the No. 7 pick in the draft and the Sky’s first-round pick next year to the Fever.
Wade and his coaching staff were watching the draft together, analyzing picks and discussing the possibility they still could sign another player off waivers.
Wade has six players on guaranteed contracts entering the 2022 season: Kahleah Copper, Candace Parker, Emma Meesseman, Quigley, Vandersloot and Stevens. His four players on unprotected contracts are Ruthy Hebard, Dana Evans, Allemand and Li.
What the Sky are looking for in training camp is a player to fill their 11th and final roster spot. The collective-bargaining agreement allows for 12 players on WNBA rosters, but the Sky have salary-cap space for only 11.
‘‘We have a core group of players, but you still have that 11th player that we need to keep an open mind about,’’ Wade said. ‘‘Our player might be in camp, or they might be coming back from overseas late. But we’re going to keep an open mind about everything we do.’’
