BENGALURU (India) - Joining a powerhouse ball club has made Chennedy Carter extremely optimistic of her chances to succeed as she writes the latest chapter of her career with Sichuan Yuanda Meile.
Whether it is in the ongoing FIBA Women's Basketball League Asia (WBL Asia) or in the upcoming Women's Chinese Basketball Association (WCBA), the WNBA veteran is certain of what's going to happen.
We're getting another 'ship. For sure. I'm calling it.
Carter signed with the Pandas last July just weeks after parting ways with the Las Vegas Aces, marking yet another stint in China after previously suiting up for the Heilongjiang Dragons and Wuhan Shenfang.
By joining the 2026 WCBA champions, a WBL Asia comeback appeared on the horizon, a league that she dominated just last year through a string of stupendous performances with Al Ula Club of Saudi Arabia.
"It was great," she recalled of her experience with the Arabian Leopards, where she averaged 29.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.7 assists, highlighted by a 45-11-6 production against Korea's Busan BNK Sum.
"We were in China last year, I was with the Al Ula Club of Saudi Arabia. That was my first time playing with them. Now I'm with Sichuan and we're playing in India, so this is amazing," added the native of Fort Worth, Texas.
I'm happy to be able to travel the world, and just continue to play.
And the prestigious ball club competition's 2026 contest would offer a first look of Carter in a Sichuan uniform. They debuted Tuesday, giving a glimpse as well of how promising - and exciting - this partnership could be.
The former WNBA All-Rookie Team member actually scored the Bengaluru showpiece's first 5 points, going on to finish with 22 to help the Pandas demolish Cathay Life, 92-70, at the Sree Kanteerava Indoor Stadium.
It is good news indeed for a team that's out to rule the WBL Asia again after emerging as its inaugural champions back in 2024, and this seemingly easy transition is big thanks to the familiarity she has with her new team.
As mentioned above, Carter has previously played in the WCBA twice, and having played against the Pandas multiple times during those stints has indeed made her acquainted with them in more ways than one.
"I think we'll be able to help each other," offered the Texas A&M product, who has also played in Europe. "They're a club that's won, they know how to win. And I'm for sure familiar with some of the players."
Of course, it's still a long road ahead toward achieving the kind of success she hopes to get with Sichuan. But Carter is nonetheless looking forward to making her journey with the 3-time WCBA champions worthwhile.
"I know Imma have fun, Imma get better," she said. "I'm excited for the season."
FIBA