The Southside Melbourne Flyers are proud to announce Chinese National Women’s Basketball Team guard Wang Siyu, known to fans around the world as “Rainy”, has committed to the Flyers for the 2026/27 WNBL season, pending WNBL review and approval.
One of Asia’s premier basketball talents, Wang brings elite international experience, exceptional basketball IQ, leadership and dynamic playmaking ability to the Flyers program as the club continues building toward success.
A key member of the Chinese National Team, Wang has earned global recognition for her competitiveness, composure under pressure and ability to impact games on both ends of the floor. Her arrival represents not only a major basketball signing for the Flyers and the WNBL, but also an exciting opportunity to further connect with Melbourne’s passionate Chinese and broader Asian basketball communities.
Southside Flyers Head Coach, Sam Mackinnon said the club was thrilled to welcome Wang to the Flyers and to Melbourne.
“Rainy is an exceptional talent and an outstanding leader. Her experience at the highest international level will have an enormous impact on our playing group, but just as importantly, we believe she will have a powerful influence off the court through her connection with fans and the wider community.”
Flyers owner Gerry Ryan believes Wang’s arrival will provide a major boost - not just for the team on and off the court, but for the WNBL, women’s sport more broadly, and Melbourne as a whole.
“Melbourne is one of the world’s great multicultural sporting cities and we are excited about the opportunities this creates to grow the game, inspire young athletes, enhance community engagement and connect the Flyers and the WNBL with new and diverse audiences.”
Wang said she was excited to begin the next chapter of her career in Melbourne, having already spent time with the Flyers earlier this year. Keen to return to Melbourne, Rainy said her earlier time with the Flyers gave her valuable insight into the strong basketball culture within the WNBL. She believes the league’s physicality and fast-paced style of play provide the ideal environment to continue developing her game as she pursues her WNBA ambitions.
“I’m very excited to join the Southside Melbourne Flyers and compete in the WNBL. I’ve heard wonderful things about Melbourne, the fans and the basketball culture here. I can’t wait to meet the community, connect with supporters, help build the connection between basketball and Melbourne’s Chinese community, and help the team compete at the highest level this season.”
To celebrate Wang’s arrival, the Flyers launched special “Rainy Supporter Packs” for fans.
The “Rainy Welcome Pack” will be available for $30 and includes entry to the Flyers first home game, along with an exclusive Rainy Flyers sticker.
Limited to 100 fans, the “VIP Rainy Welcome Pack” includes a commemorative signed Rainy Flyers jersey, a VIP seat upgrade for a Flyers home game and an exclusive Rainy Flyers sticker.
Purchase your Rainy Welcome Pack here.
Rainy will spend the next three weeks in Melbourne visiting schools, universities and key city landmarks while training with Head Coach Sam Mackinnon. She will then return to China to prepare for the FIBA World Cup with the Chinese National Team and is expected to be back in Melbourne in September at the conclusion of the World Cup Tournament.
The Flyers will also host a special media and fan welcome event ahead of the season, celebrating Wang’s arrival and the growing connection between basketball and Melbourne’s Chinese community.
Further announcements regarding the season schedule, ticketing, community appearances and fan events will be released in the coming weeks.
