The Los Angeles Sparks are gearing up for a pivotal week as they welcome back three Olympians from the 2024 Paris Olympics. Forward Dearica Hamby returns with a bronze medal from Team USA's 3-on-3 basketball competition, while Stephanie Talbot and Li Yueru come back from representing the Australian Opals and China, respectively. Talbot also earned a bronze medal with her team, adding to the Sparks' Olympic accolades.
Li Yueru was a standout performer in Paris, scoring 31 points and grabbing 15 rebounds in China's dramatic overtime loss to Serbia, which ended 90-89. Despite her impressive performance, China's women's basketball team finished in 9th place. Yueru, who has also played in the Turkish league, credits her WNBA experience for her ability to excel on the international stage. She told the Global Times, "The domestic league lacks intensity and competitive challenge. In the Turkish league, each team has three to four players who have played in the WNBA. Playing in the Turkish league provides better development opportunities."
Yueru hopes to bring her scoring prowess to the Sparks, aiming to boost their performance in the second half of the season. The Sparks, currently at 6-18, are four games behind the Chicago Sky, who hold the final playoff spot. The team faces a crucial week with matchups against the Sky and the Las Vegas Aces. With just 16 games left in the regular season, the Sparks must treat each game as a must-win to keep their playoff hopes alive.
The return of Hamby, Talbot, and Yueru injects much-needed talent and energy into the roster. Their Olympic experiences are expected to provide a competitive edge as the Sparks strive to turn their season around.
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