Zhang Ziyu: The 7-foot-3 female teenage version of Yao Ming

The 7'3 ft giant
What a preformance!
Versatile player
How do you defend her?!
A viral sensation
China vs New Zealand
Runs in the family
A giant 6th grader
Future in the WNBA?
Potential in the pro-leagues?
The 7'3 ft giant

Zhang Ziyu has been an absolute powerhouse during the FIBA U18 Women's Asia Cup in Shenzhen. China has unleashed its 7'3 ft giant (2.2 meters) and she seems unstoppable in the paint.

What a preformance!

FIBA released a video of the 17-year-old center after she scored 55 points in just two games. The video went viral on social media, with basketball fans around the world praising Ziyu for her performance.

Versatile player

The 7'3 ft giant (2.2 meters) scored 19 points in just 13 minutes as China beat Indonesia 109-50. There is very little the defense can do to stop her!

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How do you defend her?!

"She's going to make thousands of dollars in the WNBA," shared one X (Twitter) user. "Ok, it's not orthodox but at what point do you have one player put another one on their shoulders?" wrote another fan on social media.

A viral sensation

"WNBA is about to finally make profits in the coming years... Keep her away from Purdue Mens Basketball," one fan jokes on social media, pointing out Purdue's tradition of only recruiting tall players.

China vs New Zealand

During China's second game in the tournament, Ziyu scored 36 points, secured 13 rebounds, and made four blocks, as they brushed New Zealand aside (90-68).

Runs in the family

According to the South China Morning Post, Ziyu was born into a basketball family on May 1st, 2007. Her mother and her father played professionally in China. Her dad is 6'9 ft (2.13 meters) and her mother (Yu Ying, former national champion) stands at 6'4ft (1.98 meters).

A giant 6th grader

By the time Ziyu was in first grade, she was already 5'2 ft (1.58 meters). She was extremely talented as a young athlete and her parents encouraged her to pursue a life in basketball. By the time she reached 6th grade, she was 6'9ft (2.10 meters), according to Chinese state media.

Future in the WNBA?

Does she have a future in the WNBA? Most certainly... She has captured the attention of world-class recruiters around the world.

Potential in the pro-leagues?

According to Women's National Basketball Association rules (WNBA), athletes must be at least 22 years old before becoming eligible for the draft. Ziyu still has some time left before she can be eligible, but in the meantime, she will dominate the paint. What do you think of Zhang Ziyu and her potential in the pro-leagues? Let us know in the comments!

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