Japanese visit just the start of WNBL’s Asian push

At the 2026 TechnologyOne Townsville Tip Off, a couple of interested visitors from Japan are sure to turn heads.

While many people may not notice them, WNBL Chief Operating Officer Justin Nelson says their visit is a step in an exciting new direction for the League.

Members of the Fujitsu Red Wave management and coaching staff from the Japanese Women's Pro League will be interested onlookers in Townsville, taking the opportunity for a flying visit to watch all nine games, learn and share business ideas, and talk about forming stronger connections in Australia.

Nelson views the Red Wave visit as a mix of observation and relationship building and says it is "just the start of things to come", indicating we could see Chinese and Japanese teams playing at the pre-season Tip Off from as early as next year.

"It's an exciting move for the WNBL; we are working hard on building strong relationships throughout Asia and welcome the interest Asian basketball is showing in the WNBL," Nelson said.

"We have four Chinese national players playing in the WNBL this season, and I expect that to expand in the future.

"Last year we had one, this year we have four, next year we would love to at least double that number.

"We saw amazing growth in Perth last season with Han Xu playing, and I expect similar growth this season in Geelong, Sydney and at Southside Melbourne with Chinese players on their rosters."

>>SECURE YOUR TOWNSVILLE TIP OFF TICKETS NOW

Han Xu (Geelong Venom), Zhang Wanglai (Geelong Venom), Wang Siyu (Southside Melbourne Flyers), and Yang Shuyu (Sydney Flames) are sure to turn heads and attract a new fanbase to the WNBL this season.

Yang Shuyu has more than 5.3 million followers on her Douyin social media platform, the Chinese equivalent of TikTok.

Wang Siyu has 1.5 million followers, and Han Xu has 880 thousand followers on the same platform.

Nelson says these numbers can't be ignored, and the Asian interest and influence coming into the WNBL is the shot in the arm the competition needs and wants.

"I'm not sure any sports league in Australia, women or men, can attract and integrate Asian players as well as the WNBL can," he said.

"Basketball is massive in Asia, as it is here in Australia, and the WNBL is perfectly positioned to bring those fans together."

>>SECURE YOUR TOWNSVILLE TIP OFF TICKETS NOW

The move by three WNBL clubs this season to sign Chinese players is already being felt off the court with new fans joining as members, commercial relationships expanding, and media interest both in Australia and across China growing.

"We would like to see at least one unrestricted FIBA Asia player on every WNBL roster next season, and talks are underway with key stakeholders to make that happen.

"We have been welcoming New Zealand players without restriction into the WNBL for decades, and the time has arrived to now do the same with players from other parts of the FIBA Asia region.

"Make no mistake, Asia is the WNBL's new frontier."

The WNBL's TechnologyOne Townsville Tip Off takes place from September 17-20, with tickets still available here.

Read more >> Nine players to watch at Townsville Tip Off