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Zhang Ziyu, a Chinese female basketball star, has stolen the spotlight in the FIBA Under-18 Women's Asia Cup. The 17-year-old stands 7-foot-3. After dominating an international event with her surprising height advantage, the Chinese basketball player was touted for stardom and compared to Yao Ming. In the 2024 FIBA Under-18 Women's Asia Cup group round, China defeated Japan 97-81 on Wednesday with 44 points from Chinese youngster Zhang Ziyu. The 17-year-old, whose 7'3" stature has helped her become virally famous, nailed 20 of 22 from the field. She finished with five assists and a double-double after grabbing 14 rebounds.
According to FIBA, the governing organization of basketball, Zhang Ziyu stands 2.20 meters (7 feet 3 inches). However, Chinese media stated earlier this year that she was significantly taller, measuring 2.28m (7ft 6in). She used her height as an added advantage to help the hosts win two straight games at the U18 Women's Asia Cup in Shenzhen this week. After a film of her appeared online, she gained notice outside of China.
Watch here the video:
Zhang Ziyu first basket ✅pic.twitter.com/NqmUGWQnIG
— Maybe: Luke (@lukebellus4) July 30, 2024
Zhang scored 19 points in 13 minutes against Indonesia on Monday in a decisive 109-50 win after coming off the bench. People on social media likened her to 2.29-meter-tall former NBA superstar Yao, who is regarded as China's all-time best basketball player.
She broke Hsiao Yu Wen's record
Her scoring total broke the tournament record set by Chinese Taipei's Hsiao Yu Wen in 2022 with 39 points, according to FIBA. Zhang is utilizing her first foreign engagement with China to the fullest. After her team defeated Indonesia in their opening game, she finished with 19 points, 7 rebounds, and 13 boards in China's victory over New Zealand.
According to reports, many onlookers are already making assumptions about Zhang's possible future career in the United States, even though the WNBA requires international players to be at least 20 years old.