World of women’s basketball, few names have sparked as much excitement recently as Zhang Ziyu, China’s towering 17-year-old center. Standing tall at 7-foot-3, Zhang has captured global attention with her commanding presence and exceptional skills on the court.
Zhang made her debut for Team Dragon at the FIBA U18 Women’s Asia Cup in Shenzen, where her remarkable stature immediately drew comparisons to her country’s basketball legend, Yao Ming. The young phenom’s performance has been nothing short of spectacular, quickly earning her the nickname ‘Female Yao Ming’ and praise as a “cheat code” in basketball.
During China’s opening game against Indonesia, Zhang’s dominance was on full display as she effortlessly scored 19 points, grabbed seven rebounds, and contributed two steals and three blocks in just 13 minutes of play. Her impact continued to grow with a standout performance of 36 points, 13 rebounds, and four blocks against New Zealand, showcasing her versatility and scoring ability.
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Born in Shangdong province, Zhang comes from a basketball pedigree; both her parents were professional basketball players in China. Her rapid growth spurt from 5 feet 2 inches in first grade to an astonishing 7-foot-3 stature by her teenage years has been nothing short of remarkable, setting her apart in the world of women’s basketball.
With her exceptional height and burgeoning talent, Zhang is already being touted as a potential star in the WNBA, where her height advantage over many players could be a game-changer. Despite her natural gifts, Zhang remains humble, emphasizing the importance of learning and technique in her development as a player.
In a recent interview with FIBA, Zhang reflected on her unique physical attributes, stating, “I can easily reach the basket, but basketball is definitely more than that. I have to learn a lot.” Her commitment to improvement was evident in her standout performance against Japan, where she scored a career-high 44 points, along with 14 rebounds and five assists, leading China to an 87-81 victory.
As Zhang Ziyu continues to make headlines with her extraordinary talent and dominance on the court, the basketball world eagerly awaits her next move, wondering just how far this young sensation can go.
