China's top female basketball player signs with Monarchs

Published on February 14, 2005 under Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Sacramento Monarchs News Release


SACRAMENTO, CALIF., FEB. 14, 2005 - The Sacramento Monarchs today announce that Sui Feifei of China signed a contract with the franchise. In the history of the WNBA Feifei is only the second player from China to sign into the league and is considered by the China Daily newspaper to be the best small forward in Asia.

"We are very excited to sign Sui Feifei," said Sacramento Monarchs Owner Gavin Maloof. "Having been to China with the Kings last year, we have seen first hand how significant basketball is in Asia. This is a great opportunity for the Monarchs to display the international excitement of women's basketball and grow the WNBA fan base."

Feifei was named the WCBA's Most Popular Chinese Basketball Player (2002 and 2003), selected as the BM (Basketman) NIKE Most Popular Chinese Women's Basketball Player (2003), voted as one of the "CCTV Chinese Ten Most Popular Athletes" of the year (2003) and was honored as one of the Chinese Top Ten Athletes of the Year (2002).

"In terms of fame, Feifei is the Yao Ming of Chinese women's basketball," said Monarchs Head Coach and General Manager John Whisenant. "She's a small forward that can run and shoot the ball well. We are excited for Feifei to join us at training camp and see how she fits into the WNBA."

Known as just "Feifei" in China, the 6'1" tall, 26-year-old is in her eighth year as a member of the Chinese National Team. Though China placed ninth in the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece, her performance was stellar, averaging 16 points (45.8% FG, 37.5% 3-pt FG, 83.3% FT), 6 rebounds, 0.5 assists, 1.8 steals and 29 minutes per game. Feifei also plays for Baiyi in the Women's Chinese Basketball Association (WCBA). This three-time MVP of the WCBA led Baiyi to their fourth consecutive WCBA Championship this past season, averaging 30.4 minutes, 20.3 points (46.6% FG, 37% 3-pt FG, 73.6% FT), 4 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 2.3 steals per game.

With the addition of Feifei, one quarter of the Monarchs roster is international (Ticha Penicheiro - Portugal and Hamchétou Maïga - Mali, West Africa).

The Sacramento Monarchs begin the regular season on Saturday, May 21 at Phoenix against the Mercury and will continue the following week with a three-game road trip before Opening Day at ARCO Arena when the Monarchs host the Los Angeles Sparks at 1:00 p.m. in a game to be nationally televised on ABC.

Fans are asked to call (916) 419-WNBA for information about season ticket plans. For more information, please visit the Monarchs website at www.SacramentoMonarchs.com .

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Women's National Basketball Association Stories from February 14, 2005


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central