Subject:
From Viral Sensation to MVP: The Story of Zhang Ziyu (Jun 17, 2025)
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In the world of women’s basketball, few names have sparked as much awe and curiosity as Zhang Ziyu. Standing at a staggering 7 feet 3 inches (220 cm), the 17-year-old center from Shandong, China, has become an international sensation, drawing comparisons to basketball legends like Yao Ming and Victor Wembanyama. But Zhang is not just tall—she’s talented, disciplined, and poised to become a transformative figure in the sport.To get more news about tall chinese basketball player female, you can visit shine news official website.Born in 2007 to professional basketball-playing parents, Zhang’s journey into the sport seemed almost destined. Her growth was extraordinary from the start: she measured 5 feet 2 inches in first grade and reached 6 feet 9 inches by sixth grade. Her towering presence on the court quickly caught national attention, especially during the 2021 U15 National Basketball League, where she dominated the finals with 42 points, 25 rebounds, and six blocks.Zhang’s breakout moment on the international stage came during the 2024 FIBA Under-18 Women’s Asia Cup in Shenzhen. In her debut game against Indonesia, she scored 19 points on a perfect 9-for-9 shooting in just 13 minutes. She followed that with 36 points, 13 rebounds, and four blocks against New Zealand, and later shattered the tournament scoring record with 44 points against Japan. Her performance in the finals against Australia—42 points and 14 rebounds—cemented her status as the tournament’s Most Valuable Player2.What makes Zhang’s game so compelling isn’t just her height, but her agility, timing, and court awareness. She’s not merely relying on her physical advantage; she’s actively developing her skills, footwork, and basketball IQ. “I can easily reach the basket. But basketball is definitely more than that,” she said in an interview. “I have to learn a lot.”Her humility and work ethic have endeared her to fans and coaches alike. On Chinese social media platforms like Weibo, hashtags such as “Zhang Ziyu is too strong” have garnered millions of views. Internationally, she’s been dubbed the “female Yao Ming,” and many are already speculating about her future in the WNBA once she becomes eligible.Zhang’s rise also comes at a time when women’s basketball is enjoying a global surge in popularity. With stars like Caitlin Clark in the U.S. drawing record-breaking viewership, Zhang’s emergence adds a powerful new narrative to the sport’s evolution. Her presence not only boosts China’s prospects on the international stage but also inspires a new generation of young athletes, especially girls, to dream big—literally and figuratively.As she continues to grow—both as a player and a public figure—Zhang Ziyu represents more than just a physical marvel. She embodies the future of women’s basketball: bold, skilled, and unapologetically dominant. Whether she’s dunking with ease or blocking shots without leaving the ground, Zhang is rewriting what’s possible in the game.
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