Camille Naredo

Article (news)

FIBA

Agence France-Presse

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1788770624480w3xdc616olppd2f6dwyu.jpg" style="width: 960px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="China's Zhang Ziyu in action. FIBA photo">China&#39;s Zhang Ziyu in action. FIBA photo</div>BEIJING, China &mdash; Chinese teenage basketball player Zhang Ziyu stands 223cm (7ft 4in) and towers over opponents at the Women&#39;s World Cup -- but off the court she&#39;s &quot;just a little girl&quot;.That was the assessment of the giant 19-year-old by team-mate Han Xu after China&#39;s 74-70 overtime win over the Czech Republic on Sunday in Germany.The teenage center scored three points in just over 10 minutes on court against a physical Czech side, having been more of a threat against reigning champions the United States in a 94-61 loss to start the tournament.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2025/6/19/moving-great-wall-china-unleash-towering-teen-basketball-star-0118">READ: China unleash towering teen basketball star</a></div>After that defeat, USA superstar Caitlin Clark had warm words for Zhang, saying: &quot;I&#39;ve never played against a woman of that size and she obviously presented some challenges for us.&quot;I think she&#39;s a wonderful player and you see how young she is.&quot;You can tell she&#39;s still growing and learning how to play and how to leverage her advantage, which is her size.&quot;There&#39;s not much you can do to stop her when she gets it really close to the basket.&quot;Zhang&#39;s height is listed at 223cm on the website of world governing body FIBA, making her already taller than NBA great Shaquille O&#39;Neal, and even in a sport where height matters, she stands out in women&#39;s basketball.Zhang might be destined for the WNBA, but Clark and Han warned against placing too many expectations on the teenager.&quot;In life she&#39;s just a little girl,&quot; said Han, who top-scored for China with 22 points against the Czechs.&quot;I always want to give her good energy... she can finish at the rim and protect the paint.&quot;I think she is a great player and we just keep thinking (about) how to use her better and hope she can be more aggressive.&quot;<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1788770658597otrtpa8yhkodbydfhxjo.jpg" style="width: 960px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="China's Zhang Ziyu in action. FIBA photo">China&#39;s Zhang Ziyu in action. FIBA photo</div>The official website for the Women&#39;s Basketball World Cup describes Zhang as &quot;epically tall&quot;, noting she first came to international prominence when she was crowned MVP at the U18 Women&#39;s Asia Cup two years ago.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/2024/6/26/giant-china-basketball-teen-tipped-for-top-after-towering-displays-1748">READ: Giant China basketball teen tipped for top after towering displays</a></div>Footage and images of Zhang looming over her opponents have gone viral online, but Clark said there was more to her than just that.&quot;She&#39;s still a very young player, but to be this young and to be in a World Cup and to go up against the top players is only going to help her continue to grow,&quot; said Clark.&quot;So I think if she continues to develop, then there&#39;s definitely a place for her.&quot;

Chinese teenage basketball player Zhang Ziyu stands 223cm (7ft 4in) and towers over opponents at the Women's World Cup -- but off the court she's "just a little girl".

Chinese teenage basketball player Zhang Ziyu stands 223cm (7ft 4in) and towers over opponents at the Women's World Cup -- but off the court she's "just a little girl".

China's teenage 7-foot-4 basketball player 'just a little girl'

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

BINI

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Basketball

China's teenage 7-foot-4 basketball player 'just a little girl'

Agence France-Presse

Published September 07, 2026 05:03 PM PHT

Read More:

Beijing

China

FIBA

FIBA Women's World Cup

Zhang Ziyu

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

Sign Up

I have read and agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy.

Haven't received our newsletter?

Check your inbox to verify and confirm your subscription. If you don’t see it, please check your spam or junk folder.

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.