Wu Xinci, a legendary figure in Chinese women’s basketball and former head coach of the Bayi women’s team, passed away in Beijing at the age of 87, according to a report from the media account “I Love Women’s Basketball_”. Known as “China’s First Forward” and affectionately called “Grandma Wu,” she died after a battle with illness.
During her playing career, Wu Xinci was selected multiple times for the national youth and senior teams, and led Bayi to win the second National Games championship and four national league titles. As a coach, she spent decades at the helm of Bayi, mentoring a host of national players including Zheng Haixia, Zhan Shuping, Li Xin, Sui Feifei, Miao Lijie, Chen Nan, Chen Yuefang, Li Dongmei, Zheng Wei, Zhang Xiaoni, Chen Lisha, and Shen Yi. Under her leadership, Bayi won three National Games championships and eight national league titles. Over nearly 40 years, many of the top players in Chinese women’s basketball came through her system or were trained by her.
