7-foot-3 Chinese rookie Zhang Ziyu aims to lift team to World Cup quarterfinals
Tall newcomer Zhang Ziyu impressed in her first women's FIBA World Cup appearance and will try to help China reach the quarterfinals against Puerto Rico.
In her first appearance at the women's FIBA World Cup, 19-year-old Zhang Ziyu stood out for her height and presence, posting eight points and three rebounds in eight minutes against Italy. While she has not yet had a breakout performance, her on-court moments have attracted notice, including a playful exchange with U.S. guard Paige Bueckers that went viral. Italian center Olbis Andre commented on the unique challenge of defending a player of Zhang's stature.
Former Rutgers player April Sykes, now a skills coach for China, highlighted Zhang's quick progress, especially a recent left-handed shot she practiced. Teammate Han Xu, a WNBA player, expressed excitement about Zhang's potential on the world stage. China’s next crucial game is a qualification showdown with Puerto Rico, which could secure a spot in the tournament quarterfinals.
