The recent emergence of 17-year-old Zhang Ziyu from Shandong, China has sent shockwaves through the international basketball community. Standing at an impressive 7 foot 3, Ziyu made her international debut at the FIBA Under-18 Women’s Asia Cup in Shenzen, China, leaving a lasting impression on basketball fans worldwide and drawing comparisons to the iconic Yao Ming.
Ziyu’s exceptional talent was further emphasized when she was awarded the Most Valuable Player at the FIBA Asia Cup 2024. Averaging an astounding 35.0 points and 12.8 rebounds per game, she set a new standard in the competition’s history with a 44-point performance against Japan. Her standout performance continued in the finals against Australia, where she scored 42 points and 14 rebounds, contributing to China’s second consecutive runner-up finish.
The International Basketball Federation even released a video showcasing Ziyu’s impressive game highlights, displaying her dominance on the court as she towered over her opponents and effortlessly dunked the ball with minimal effort.
Ziyu’s exceptional performance has garnered comparisons to the renowned Houston Rockets star Yao Ming, given their shared nationality and towering height. Despite the comparisons, Ziyu’s career is in its infancy, and she has a long way to go before she can match Ming’s legacy.
The young sensation has been labelled a “cheat code” by basketball enthusiasts, with her effortless scoring abilities and imposing presence on the court drawing attention from international and WNBA teams alike.
Ziyu’s rise to stardom is even more remarkable considering her rapid growth from standing at 5 feet 2 inches in the first grade to reaching 6-foot-9 by sixth grade, with her current height of 7 foot 3. This phenomenal growth contrasts starkly with the average height of players in the Women’s National Basketball Association, which stands at around 6 feet.
With her exceptional talent, extraordinary height, and impressive family background in professional basketball, Zhang Ziyu is undoubtedly set to make a lasting impact on the world of women’s basketball and establish herself as the next basketball superstar.
In conclusion, Zhang Ziyu’s meteoric rise in the world of women’s basketball has captivated the attention of basketball enthusiasts worldwide, and her remarkable talent and extraordinary height have set the stage for her to become a dominant force in the sport for years to come.