What does leadership look like when you're just 24 years old and captaining one of the world's best basketball teams?

In Episode 15 of The 6th Woman Basketball Podcast, Beza and Tony sit down with Chinese National Team captain, Olympic bronze medallist and global basketball star Yang Shuyu.

Currently playing with the Melbourne Tigers as part of her preparation for the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup in Berlin, Yang opens up about her journey from Guangdong to the world stage, growing up alongside her sister and mentor Yang Liwei, and the responsibility of representing China.

The conversation explores leadership, family, fashion, life beyond basketball and why Yang believes success is never about one player.

They discuss:

• Growing up in Guangdong and learning responsibility from her parents• Her relationship with sister Yang Liwei• Becoming captain of the Chinese National Team• The lessons she has learned about leadership• Olympic bronze and representing China on the world stage• Why she chose Melbourne Tigers and Australian basketball• Fashion, Prada and launching her own clothing brand• Gaming, movies and life away from basketball• Her goals for the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup• Advice for the next generation of female athletes

Plus: Rapid Fire questions, fish and chips, badminton, Harry Potter and why Australia is one of her favourite places in the world.

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Timestamps

0:00 – "It's not about me, it's about Team China"1:00 – Introducing Yang Shuyu2:00 – Growing up in Guangdong4:00 – Lessons from her parents and responsibility5:00 – Sister Yang Liwei and family influence6:30 – Basketball enters her life8:00 – Life away from basketball: gaming, movies and beaches
10:00 – Fame, privacy and being recognised in China11:00 – Bringing new fans to Melbourne Tigers games12:00 – Prada, fashion and her own clothing brand13:30 – Why she chose Melbourne Tigers and Australia15:00 – Australian basketball and learning new skills17:00 – Olympic bronze and representing China18:30 – Leadership and captaining Team China20:00 – World Cup ambitions for Berlin 202621:00 – Stephen Curry and leadership inspiration22:00 – "It's not about Yang Shuyu. It's about Team China."23:00 – Rapid Fire Questions28:00 – Advice for young girls chasing basketball dreams30:00 – Caitlin Clark and global women's basketball31:00 – Final reflections and outro