Li Yueru: I was lucky to win the game in my debut I like the atmosphere of hard work, and I thank Feiyi for giving me time

On June 18, Beijing time, the Dallas Flying Wings defeated the Golden State Valkyrie 80-71, ending a seven-game losing streak. Li Yueru ushered in her debut after changing teams, played 13 minutes, and played the second highest time this season, shooting 1 of 3, 0 of 1 three-point shot, no free throws, 2 points, 2 rebounds and 2 assists, plus or minus +9. After the game, she was interviewed by the media, as follows-

Reporter: This is your first game for the Wings, what lessons do you think you can learn from this game for future games?

Li Yueru: I consider myself lucky to have won on my debut. Hopefully we can continue to improve. However, I think the team still needs to grind in, such as reducing turnovers and improving rebounding. But I'm still happy, really happy to be here.

Reporter: It's still in the early stages of adaptation, how do you feel at the moment? Have any of your teammates helped you in particular?

Li Yueru: Nora and Camille (assistant coach) – we knew each other well before with the Sparks. They helped me a lot, they knew how to coach me and how to communicate with me. Every time I came back to the bench, they would say something to me, either words of encouragement or a reminder of what I needed to improve, and I appreciated it. I hope I can get better because it's the first game and sometimes I'm not sure if I'm playing the right game, so I'm learning, trying to get to know my teammates and trying to improve as quickly as possible.

Reporter: There was a round where you caused a scrum and the fans were very supportive. What does it feel like to feel the fans recognising your efforts on the pitch?

Li Yueru: I am especially grateful to the fans for cheering for us, I can feel that they give a lot of love. I could hear them shouting 'Welcome to Dallas' and it was really happy. Thanks for everything and hopefully we can win more games.

Reporter: The team was successful in offensive rebounding today, what do you think of the overall effort of the whole team in rebounding?

Li Yueru: We fought hard today, and everyone on the field was trying to do their best. Sometimes I think 'oh my God, this feels great' and I love the fighting atmosphere and hopefully it will be like that in every game." We just want to win, we want everyone to know that we want to win and we want to get stronger as soon as possible.

Reporter: Two questions, what do you think you performed particularly well in tonight? What else needs to be improved?

Li Yueru: First of all, the opponent is a fast team, and I am trying to learn how to defend against speed players and how to deal with them on the offensive end. I didn't play a lot of back shots in the low post in the first half because I almost forgot when to play back, and sometimes I forgot how to play when I was a shorter post player. So I've been reminding myself to look at the defender quickly and think about how to deal with it.

Also, I'm thankful for the team for giving me playing time and being able to play with my team-mates. There are a lot of things that need to be improved: for example, I have to figure out who the defender is faster - how to play if I'm playing against a tall insider, how to play if I'm a short player; Sometimes I want to cover my teammates, but the route down will go wrong, which needs to be improved; There are also rebounds, although I am an insider, but the judgment of grabbing rebounds is not good enough, I have to work hard to improve, and think more about how to grab rebounds to do better.

Reporter: Do you have any family members in China who watched your game?

Li Yueru: My mother watched it, and many good friends are also paying attention. But sometimes it's early in the morning in China, and they'll give me some advice after watching it. I'm really grateful that they've always supported me, sometimes I know they're going to worry about me, but they never say it, just say to me 'just do what you want' and I answer 'okay'.

Reporter: The coach mentioned that other teams may be more likely to cooperate with you in the low post. Do you think it will take time to build this kind of chemistry with your teammates?

Li Yueru: Yes, just like today, when I try to ask for the ball in the low post, sometimes my teammates don't get the pass to the position, maybe the timing of my position is not right, or maybe they don't grasp the timing of the pass. I think it's going to take time to get used to it, after all, we're only playing together for the first time. I'll try to do better, but sometimes it's also my problem – like not being clear enough when I want to get the ball, not reaching for the ball, or not shouting 'for the ball' when it's time to say, so it takes time and I remind myself to adapt as soon as possible. Sometimes if you focus on defense, you may forget to attack, so you have to keep reminding yourself.

Reporter: Page and Ogon Bowal both did well tonight, how can playing with them make it easier for you on the court?

Li Yueru: I know they're top players and can do everything, so don't worry too much about what they're going to do. I just have to do the simple things like back play, cover or run aggressively and we'll be able to play well. They're really good, there are a lot of fans who like them, and even my friends like them more than they like me (laughs). I'm happy with their performances and I hope they stay hot all season.