Zhang Ziyu: The 7-foot-3 female teenage version of Yao Ming
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.
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.
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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"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.
"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.
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).
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).
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.
Does she have a future in the WNBA? Most certainly... She has captured the attention of world-class recruiters around the world.
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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