Not Yang Shuyu or Luo Xinyu: Han Xu Named China Women's Basketball MVP and Saved the Team

In the crucial Group D game at the Berlin Women's Basketball World Cup, China battled through overtime to defeat the Czech Republic 74-70 and secure a vital victory in the tournament. After the game, Han Xu was named the MVP of the match for her dominant performance. This honor was not just a boost to her statistics, but the best proof of how she repeatedly withstood pressure and kept the team in the game when China was in a completely passive position and its offense repeatedly stalled.

Although Yang Shuyu's game-tying layup and Luo Xinyu's key three-pointer were also indispensable to the victory, without Han Xu's continued interior production, ability to withstand double teams and grab crucial rebounds throughout the game, China would not have been able to reach the final dramatic moments.

Han Xu played 34 minutes and 9 seconds, recording a dominant double-double of 22 points, 14 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals. She shot 9-for-18 from the field and 3-for-6 from three-point range, posting an efficiency rating of 26. Her points, rebounds and plus-minus were all the best on the team. She delivered an all-around performance in interior attacks, outside shooting, rebounding protection and playmaking. Behind the impressive statistics, however, were the many challenges she had to overcome throughout the game.

Tactical role: the absolute hub of the team's offense and defense, and the final offensive safety option

In China's tactical system for this game, Han Xu was an irreplaceable core. Offensively, the Czech team understood Han Xu's threat and frequently used double-team pressure. Whenever Han Xu received the ball in the low post, two defenders immediately closed in to limit her shooting space. At the same time, the opponent aggressively disrupted passing lanes to prevent comfortable deliveries to Han Xu.

With frequent mistakes from the guards, 29 total turnovers by the team, and many designed plays failing to develop, Han Xu became China's most reliable fallback option. She could score with low-post power moves, step out to the three-point line for long-range shots, and grab offensive rebounds for second-chance baskets. She also had the ability to facilitate, finding open teammates after facing double teams and connecting the team's offense.

Defensively, Han Xu served as the interior anchor and protected the paint and rebounds. China grabbed 53 rebounds compared with the Czech Republic's 27, and Han Xu played a major role in that advantage. Her 14 rebounds included many important offensive rebounds that created second-chance opportunities. Whenever Han Xu left the court, China's interior defense and rebounding declined noticeably, forcing the coaching staff to extend her playing time as much as possible.

Overcoming numerous difficulties and staying close in a difficult situation

China struggled from the opening minutes and this was far from an easy victory. In the first half, the Czech Republic disrupted China's rhythm with aggressive defense and produced an offensive surge. China trailed by as many as 10 points and was down 33-41 at halftime. The team's offense stalled, three-point shooting was poor, and turnovers continued to increase.

Throughout the first half, the team was in poor form. It was Han Xu's 11 points and 6 rebounds before halftime that kept the gap within reach and prevented the opponent from taking complete control. Without Han Xu's steady production, the deficit could have grown beyond 15 points and the game might have lost its suspense much earlier.

Throughout the game, Han Xu constantly faced the opponent's double-team defense and endured heavy physical demands. She also committed seven turnovers, which reflected the cost of the opponent's intense focus on limiting her. Even under heavy defensive pressure, she did not reduce her attacking approach.

During the tense fourth quarter, Han Xu scored consecutive and-one plays before hitting a three-pointer, helping China take the lead for the first time and igniting the team's comeback effort. Although China later lost the lead again due to consecutive turnovers, Han Xu's scoring run kept the possibility of a comeback alive.

China reached the brink of defeat in regulation, trailing by five points with 27 seconds remaining. Luo Xinyu's crucial three-pointer and Yang Shuyu's game-tying layup with 3.9 seconds left forced overtime. In overtime, with her energy nearly exhausted, Han Xu stepped up again, scoring on a key self-created offensive rebound putback and helping China start with a 5-0 run that laid the foundation for the final victory.

In this overtime comeback, Han Xu used a tough performance to prove her quality as a world-class interior player. The MVP award was the best recognition of her persistence in a difficult situation, but if the women's team wants to go further, it cannot rely on one player alone and needs the entire team to shoulder the responsibility together.