Kelsey Griffin urges WNBL to expand into Asia

• ‍Kelsey Griffin: 'I don’t know if this is my last game'‍
• Alicia Froling’s 26 sends Fire through to WNBL26 Grand Final‍
• Game 2: Double double-doubles: Xu and Maley lead Perth sweep

Chinese superstar Han Xu's impact on the WNBL in 2025-26 is an inspiration, five-time champion and 2019 Most Valuable Player Kelsey Griffin said the league must now take advantage of.

“Having Han here, I think, has been incredible," Griffin, 38, said.

"I think that if I was in charge of the league, I would be looking at how we can make a better bridge into Asia and look at expanding that market and clearly, like they’re one of the closest countries next to us.

"China’s a powerhouse, and I think that’s an incredible opportunity for what we can do to grow.”

Griffin's suggestion came as she pondered her own future after Xu's Perth Lynx swept the defending champions 2-0 in the WNBL26 Semi-Finals.

Xu, 25, signed with the Lynx on October 12, 2025, but missed the first eight games of the season to fulfil a commitment to the Chinese national team.

The 2.08m centre made an immediate impact and won the league’s Defensive Player of the Year WNBL26 awards.

Griffin notched her 250th game this season but said: “I think about my next steps daily.

“(Wife) Erin and I will take some time and figure out what we want to do.

“I’ve probably retired in my head four times. I actually retired after the hub season. Got a full-time teaching job and realised sometimes a bad day at basketball is better than a good day working nine-to-five.

"I don’t know if this is my last game. If it was, I feel really fortunate.

“If I have a word for this season, it’s immense gratitude. From recognition from the league, other players, mostly my teammates. It’s been one to remember for me for sure.”

Han Xu – Fact File (Per 36 Minutes)

Pronunciation: \shoo\
Instagram: @hanxu_521

Position: Center │ Shoots: Right
Height/Weight: 6’10” (208 cm) │ 193 lb (87 kg)
Born: October 31, 1999 (Age 25) in Shijiazhuang, China 🇨🇳
Draft: 2019 WNBA Draft – Round 2, Pick 14 (New York Liberty)
Jersey: #21

Per 36 Minutes – Regular Season

2019 (NY Liberty, Age 19)

• PTS: 13.6 │ REB: 3.8 │ AST: 0.5 │ BLK: 1.0
• FG%: 41.4 │ 3P%: 50.0 │ FT%: 50.0

2022 (NY Liberty, Age 22)

• PTS: 18.3 │ REB: 7.7 │ AST: 2.0 │ BLK: 1.4
• FG%: 49.3 │ 3P%: 44.4 │ FT%: 79.6

2023 (NY Liberty, Age 23)

• PTS: 12.0 │ REB: 7.0 │ AST: 0.0 │ BLK: 1.0
• FG%: 30.0 │ 3P%: 0.0 │ FT%: —

Career (58 GP)

• PTS: 17.0 │ REB: 6.9 │ AST: 1.6 │ BLK: 1.3
• FG%: 46.5 │ 3P%: 39.6 │ FT%: 78.4