US EditionBasketball Coach Says China Teen Sensation Zhang ‘Best Player I’ve Ever Seen’
- China's teenage basketball centre Zhang Ziyu made her senior debut and helped China beat Japan 101-92 on June 18, 2025, in Xi'an as part of warm-ups for next month's Women's Asia Cup in Shenzhen.
- Zhang's rapid rise follows her upbringing in Shandong province, northern China, where both her parents, Zhang Lei and Yu Ying, played professional basketball, and she reached 2.10m by primary school end.
- During the friendly, Zhang scored 18 points with seven rebounds in 12 minutes, helping secure blowout wins and earning praise from teammates, though experienced centre Yang Liwei said she could improve shot toughness.
- An American ex-NBA guard described facing Zhang as “Interesting,” while Chinese fans have likened her to retired NBA great Yao Ming, calling her the new “moving Great Wall” due to her 2.26m height.
- Zhang’s emergence suggests China aims to leverage her height advantage and skill to strengthen its squad for the upcoming Women's Asia Cup, indicating continued investment in young talent ahead of regional tournaments.
22 Articles
22 Articles
Zhang Ziyu's success continues with the Chinese national basketball team. The world's tallest woman followed up her successful debut in the friendly against Bosnia-Herzegovina, where she produced eighteen points, with another eighteen points in China's victory over Japan.
Nicknamed "La Grande Muraille", with reference to the legend Yao Ming, the 18-year-old basketball player is about to take part in the Women's Asian Cup organised from 13 July.
‘Moving Great Wall’: China’s towering teen basketball star set to play at Women’s Asia Cup
China look set to unleash their 2.26m (7ft 5in) “moving Great Wall” at the Women’s Asia Cup after teenager Zhang Ziyu put in another towering display days after her debut. China’s Zhang Ziyu (#28/L) shoots as Japan’s Azusa Asahina (#14/R) tries to block during a warm-up game ahead of the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup in Xian, China’s central Shaanxi province on June 18, 2025. Photo: AFP/China OUT. The 18-year-old centre scored 18 points as China beat gr…
She is probably the largest basketball player on the planet and is considered one of the largest women in the world. Now, 18-year-old Zhang Ziyu has played for China's national team for the first time.
7-Foot Tall Basketball Player Zhang Ziyu Makes Her Debut for Chinese National Team, 18-Year-Old Uses Height to Perfection As China Beat Bosnia & Herzegovina | 🏆 LatestLY
The 18-year-old starred for China, helping her team pick up a dominant 101-55 win over Bosnia & Herzegovina. After such an impactful debut, the future is certainly bright for Zhang Ziyu. 🏆 7-Foot Tall Basketball Player Zhang Ziyu Makes Her Debut for Chinese National Team, 18-Year-Old Uses Height to Perfection As China Beat Bosnia & Herzegovina.
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