At 2.23 meters tall, the young Chinese center Zhang Ziyu, only 19 years old, is one of the main attractions of the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup being held in Berlin. Her height far surpasses that of her opponents at the World Cup and places her only one centimeter shorter than Victor Wembanyama, NBA star. She is frequently compared to her illustrious compatriot Yao Ming, another giant of Chinese basketball.
Zhang Ziyu is competing in her first major international tournament in the senior category. Previously, she drew attention by breaking statistical records at the FIBA U18 Asian Championship held two years ago, with impressive averages of 35 points and 12 rebounds per game, also winning the MVP (Most Valuable Player) award of the tournament.
Native to Shandong, in eastern China, Zhang Ziyu is the daughter of two former professional basketball players, which explains her early inclination and skill in the sport. Her family background contributed to her development as a high-level athlete.
Despite her promising basketball career and comparisons with great names in the sport, the 19-year-old maintains simple hobbies, including a passion for crochet, showing that before being an internationally prominent athlete, she remains an ordinary young woman with diverse interests.