Zhang Ziyu towers in her World Cup debut as 7-foot-3 sensation hopes to get China to quarterfinals – WTOP News
- In Berlin, 7-foot-3 Chinese center Zhang Ziyu has impressed spectators during her FIBA World Cup debut. While not yet having a breakout game, the 19-year-old consistently draws attention whenever she steps onto the court for China.
- Skills development coach April Sykes, who trained Zhang earlier this year, noted the young star's rapid progression. Despite starting basketball at age 10 or 11, Zhang only became serious about the sport within the last year.
- During China's win over Italy, Zhang played eight minutes, recording eight points and three rebounds. Italian center Olbis Andre said the team had to find different ways to stop her.
- United States player Paige Bueckers went viral for chatting with Zhang on the court during pool play. Bueckers said the interaction was "all fun and games," adding she jokingly told Zhang she would block her shot.
- Teammate Han Xu, who plays for the WNBA's New York Liberty, praised Zhang's readiness for the world stage. Zhang will help China reach the quarterfinals when they face Puerto Rico in a qualification game on Wednesday.
17 Articles
17 Articles
Zhang Ziyu towers in her World Cup debut as 7-foot-3 sensation hopes t
United States' Paige Bueckers talks to China's Zhang Ziyu during the Women's Basketball World Cup match between China and the United States in Berlin, Friday, Sept. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
Associated Press News
Zhang Ziyu towers in her World Cup debut as 7-foot-3 sensation hopes to get China to quarterfinals
Zhang Ziyu has made quite an impression in her women’s FIBA World Cup debut. While the 7-foot-3 center for China may not have had a breakout game yet, whenever she is on the court she is noticed.
At 2,23 meters high — far surpassing her opponents in the Women's Basketball World Cup — the young Chinese pivot Zhang Ziyu is often compared to her illustrious compatriot Yao Ming. However, first of all, she continues to be "only a girl" who loves her sport... and crochet. Does her achievements bother her partner? Understand when the relationship turns competition 'Side profile': why the side profile has become trend on social networks The pivo…
The pivot, which is only one centimetre less than Victor Wembanyama, is one of the attractions of the World Championship in Berlin. At only 19 years old, she takes part in her first major international senior rendezvous, she who had panicked the meters at the U18 Asian Championship two years ago, with 35 points and 12 mid-range rebounds during the competition where she was elected best player. Originally from Shandong, in eastern China, Zhang Zi…
Seeing her sitting down already impresses. When she stands up, it’s only left to look at the sky. Zhang Ziyu is 19 years old and is 2.23m tall. She’s the highest professional basketball player in history and the great attraction in the Berlin World Cup who is fighting with the Chinese team, but, as she herself remembers, she’s still almost a girl. “Everyone thinks I’m very hard because I’m very tall, but I’m still a young girl, sometimes quite c…
The center of just 19 years participates in its first major absolute international event and is constantly compared to Yao Ming, legend of Asian basketball. Now Puerto Rico will have to present a strategy to avoid its offensive.
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