A new star burst onto the basketball scene, and she is not easy to overlook. At 7 feet 5 inches tall, 17-year-old Zhang Ziyu has shaken the court. She made her debut play for Team China and left fans and experts in a daze—her stature and ability shining through with every play.
16-year-old Zhang Ziyu, the 7’5 female basketball player, barely broke a sweat during her debut for Team China
— Dexerto (@Dexerto) JUNE 25, 2024
Now, Zhang’s rise to the international stage was no less dramatic. Born on May 1, 2007, into a basketball-loving family, Zhang grew up surrounded by former players—the mother is an international player. Such a rich heritage in basketball would have some effect on her life path. However, size, athleticism, and skills are all Zhang’s.
From an early age, Zhang was destined to stand out, literally and figuratively. Her height always distinguished her from her peers, while dedication and hard work made her a force to be reckoned with. Because of her vast height advantage on the court, she was called a “cheat code” many times and has dominated for years.
However, this came to life when Zhang debuted for Team China. Many were anticipating this performance, which did not disappoint. She scored an impressive 19 points in only 13 minutes versus Indonesia in the Under-18 FIBA Asia Cup, shooting an impeccable 9-of-9 from the field. This outstanding performance was only but the tip of the iceberg. Averaging 27.0 points and 10.0 rebounds per game in the tournament, she established herself as one of the rising stars.
Success is not only about her physical presence on the court. Zhang moves with grace, belying her size, and exhibits rare agility and coordination for a person of her height. This has made her a unique player with highly valued attributes and one who is sure to make a big difference in the future of basketball.
At a very tender age, Zhang’s performances have gone viral, catching the attention of basketball lovers worldwide. Videos of her playing have gone viral on social media, and huge followers were there in no time. Towering presence with dominating plays hardly disregarded comparisons to NBA legend Yao Ming, another Chinese player who hugely impacted the global stage.
But Zhang isn’t just a product of her height or her heritage. She had chiseled away relentlessly to develop her skills, and that hard work showed in each game she played at these Olympics. Here is an example of what happens when talent is groomed effectively, more so right from early childhood, and the rewards that hard work brings.
For this young lady, Zhang, the future of basketball has already become very bright. Though she shall still not be eligible for the 2024 Paris Olympics, many people look forward to her WNBA Draft in 2027 when she turns 20. By then, it’s expected that she will have further developed her game and be ready to take on the best players in the world.
Meanwhile, Zhang is focusing on her growth and development. She knows what she is expected to do with her height and talent but hopes to forge her path. Her story has just begun, and if her debut was anything to go by, the basketball world is in for a real treat.
If you haven’t noticed yet, Zhang Ziyu is a tall 7’5″ teen phenom who happens to be so much more than just a tall player—she is the budding superstar underlying the game with difference-making potential. From dominating on the court to inspiring the next generation of players, Zhang is the name we will hear for years ahead.
