Meet Zhang Ziyu, the teen basketball player who is over 7 feet tall

Zhang's looming presence on court seemed to stump many on the court

Last updated: June 19, 2025 | 14:10

Jai Rai, Assistant Editor

2 MIN READ

China's Zhang Ziyu and an umpire gesture prior to play against Japan during a warm-up game ahead of the FIBA Women's Asia Cup in Xian, China's central Shaanxi province on June 18.

AFP

Dubai: A good height is always an advantage for basketball players.

So when 17-year-old Zhang Ziyu took centre stage for the Chinese National Team at the Women's Asia Cup she quickly became the talking point.

Reason: She is 7 feet and 3 inches tall and easily stands out in the each game.

Zhang made her debut last week and videos started flooding the internet showing her making points at ease.

During the match against rivals Japan, the centre scored 18 points as China beat great rivals Japan 101-92 on Wednesday in Xi'an in a warm-up for the regional tournament next month on home soil.

It was her third appearance for the senior Chinese squad, having helped them to blowout victories over Bosnia and Herzegovina over the weekend.

Zhang's looming presence on court seemed to stump Japan head coach Corey Gaines.

Asked if he had figured out a way "to deal" with the teenager, the American ex-NBA guard told reporters: "We'll just say: Interesting. Very interesting."

Zhang hails from northern China's Shandong province and had reached 2.10m by the end of primary school.

She has been likened by Chinese fans to Houston Rockets great Yao Ming.

Yao, who at 2.29m was one of the tallest NBA players in history, was known as the "moving Great Wall" before retiring from basketball in 2011 and Zhang has now taken on the nickname.

Both of Zhang's parents played professional basketball.

Her father, Zhang Lei, turned out for the Chinese Basketball Association's Jinan Military Region while her mother Yu Ying played as a centre for Shandong, according to local media.

The teenager may have a distinct height advantage but she has been told she needs to sharpen up.

Experienced centre Yang Liwei said after Wednesday's win that Zhang "could have been tougher on some shots".

"I think she played at her normal level," added Yang, who helped China win the Asian title in 2023.

China meet Japan again on Friday at home for another warm-up.

Both will play at the Women's Asia Cup in Shenzhen from July 13.

- With inputs from AFP

Jai RaiAssistant Editor

Jai is a seasoned journalist with more than two decades of experience across India and the UAE, specialising in sports reporting. Throughout his distinguished career, he has had the privilege of covering some of the biggest names and events in sports, including cricket, tennis, Formula 1 and golf. A former first-division cricket league captain himself, he brings not only a deep understanding of the game but also a cricketer's discipline to his work. His unique blend of athletic insight and journalistic expertise gives him a wide-ranging perspective that enriches his storytelling, making his coverage both detailed and engaging. Driven by an unrelenting passion for sports, he continues to craft compelling narratives that resonate with readers. As the day winds down for most, he begins his work, ensuring that the most captivating stories make it to the print edition in time for readers to receive them bright and early the next morning.

Get the latest news and updates straight to your inbox

Up Next