Han Xu’s return to the New York Liberty isn’t just a roster addition; it is a case study in professional evolution. While the Liberty suffered a 109-91 preseason loss to the Indiana Fever on Saturday, the real story was the transformation of the 2.05-meter center, who looked less like a depth piece and more like a cornerstone in her first appearance back with the club.
- Immediate Impact: Han Xu led all scorers with 20 points, shooting 60% from the field and showing perfect efficiency (7/7) from the free-throw line.
- The “New” Han Xu: Returning from a dominant stint in Australia’s WNBL, Han brings a refined defensive game and increased scoring aggression compared to her first stint in New York.
- Roster Battle: Currently on a training camp contract, Han’s high-efficiency performance puts immediate pressure on the Liberty’s frontcourt rotation.
The Deep Dive: From Role Player to Defensive Powerhouse
To understand why Han Xu’s 20-point performance matters, one must look at the trajectory of her career. When the Liberty selected her 14th overall in 2019, she was a raw talent who averaged 5.8 points and 2.4 rebounds over three seasons. She was a piece of the puzzle, but not the focal point.
That changed during her tenure with Australia’s Perth Lynx in the 2025-26 WNBL season. In the WNBL, Han didn’t just play; she dominated, averaging 16.2 points and 7.3 rebounds while earning the league’s Defensive Player of the Year award. The Han Xu returning to New York is a far more polished version of the player they originally drafted—one who possesses the confidence to lead a game in scoring and the defensive instincts to alter the geometry of the court (evidenced by her two blocks in Saturday’s game).
The Forward Look: The Battle for the Final Roster
The immediate question is no longer whether Han Xu can play at the WNBA level, but whether the Liberty can afford to leave her off the final roster. By signing her to a training camp contract, New York essentially created a “try-out” scenario. However, a game-high 20 points in her debut suggests that her ceiling is significantly higher than a bench reserve.
As the 2026 WNBA season tips off on May 8, watch for how Han integrates into a team that has spent the last few days simply getting to know one another. If she can translate her WNBL defensive dominance to the WNBA, the Liberty will have acquired an elite rim protector and a reliable interior scoring option for a fraction of the usual market cost. Expect the coaching staff to lean heavily on her in the remaining preseason games to see if her efficiency holds against elite competition.
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