(Beijing) A 17-year-old Chinese international basketball player is attracting attention due to her height, which is currently allowing her to shine in a tournament and is already generating comparisons with Yao Ming.
Zhang Ziyu is 2.20 meters (7′ 3″) tall according to the International Basketball Federation (FIBA). According to some Chinese media, the young woman even stands at 2.28 meters tall.
Regardless, she used her height to help the national team claim two victories this week at the U18 Women’s Asian Cup in Shenzhen.
These matches and the images broadcast online attracted attention to the young athlete well beyond the borders of her native country.
On Monday, against Indonesia, Zhang Ziyu scored 19 points in 13 minutes in a big 109-50 victory.
Videos show her vastly dominating her opponents, with some Indonesian players barely reaching chest height. She also seems to have little need to jump to reach the basket.
China then beat New Zealand 90-68 on Tuesday, with Zhang Ziyu scoring 36 points and grabbing 13 rebounds.
On social networks, some are already comparing her to ex-NBA star Yao Ming, considered the most talented Chinese basketball player in history and who measured 2.29 meters.
The WNBA requires foreign players to be at least 20 years old. But many observers already foresee a career in the United States for Zhang Ziyu.
“She is out to dominate her generation,” wrote one X user. “She has a good touch on the ball,” wrote another. “Most tall players just swing the ball and hope it goes in. But she has good technique and knows what she is doing. »
