HANGZHOU (China) - Just months after dominating the FIBA U18 Women’s Asia Cup 2024 in Shenzhen, where she led China to a runner-up finish and earned MVP honors, Zhang Ziyu made another statement - this time at the Women's Chinese Basketball Association (WCBA) All-Star Weekend.
The 17-year-old, standing over 2.2M (7'3") tall, was a special guest player for the Northern Conference Team and put on a performance that left fans in awe.
Right from the tip-off, Zhang showcased her dominance in the paint, scoring at will. Before being substituted in the first quarter, she had already tallied 9 of her team’s 11 points, setting the tone for an impressive outing. By the final buzzer, she had made 8 of 10 shots, finishing with 17 points and playing a key role in the Northern Conference's 91-77 victory over the Southern Conference Team.
A special moment during the intermission highlighted Zhang’s growing status in Chinese basketball. Legendary center and FIBA Hall of Famer Zheng Haixia, along with current national team star Han Xu, presented her with a signed basketball, symbolizing the continued legacy of dominant Chinese post players. Their presence reinforced Zhang’s potential as a future centerpiece of the national team.
As the WCBA All-Star Weekend continued with the main game, skills challenge, and three-point contest, Zhang Ziyu’s presence stood as a reminder of China’s bright future in women’s basketball. With her rapid rise from youth standout to national prospect, the basketball world will be watching closely as she takes the next steps in her career.
At the U18 Women's Asia Cup last year, she averaged 35.0 points and 12.8 rebounds per game - leading all players in both categories. Could she be set to take the basketball world by storm again at the FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup in Brno, Czechia later this year?
FIBA