In a viral video Zhang Ziyu, a 7-foot-3 basketball prodigy from Shandong province, made a sensational debut at the FIBA Under-18 Women’s Asia Cup in Shenzhen, China.
The 17-year-old centre’s towering presence and remarkable reach allowed her to dominate on the court, effortlessly intercepting passes and blocking shots.
In her first game against Indonesia, she scored 19 points in just 13 minutes, alongside seven rebounds, two assists, two steals, and three blocks, contributing significantly to China’s 109-50 victory. She continued her top form with 36 points, 13 rebounds, and four blocks against New Zealand, leading China to a 90-68 win.
Zhang’s height and talent have sparked comparisons to Yao Ming, the former NBA star.