Huge 17-year-old Chinese Basketball Player Leaves Everyone Amazed

By Editorial Staff in Sports On 3rd July 2024
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For those who follow the NBA closely, it's clear that most players tend to be quite tall to make it big in the sport.

However, it's also true that there are a few exceptions to this rule, yet the general idea that height is advantageous remains relevant in much of basketball.

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Basketball enjoys immense popularity across the US, beloved from the community levels all the way to the high-profile realms of the NBA and WNBA.

At the moment, there's a basketball prodigy who is capturing the attention of fans on social media.

Yep, she's pretty tall. Getty Images / Fred Lee

Some are even speculating that she might one day join the WNBA, which is the professional league for women's basketball.

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The player in question is Zhang Ziyu. She is undeniably talented at basketball, but it's her extraordinary height that's currently putting her in the spotlight.

She stands at seven-foot-three and has been quickly given the nickname 'Female Yao Ming', a name that draws a direct comparison to the celebrated former Houston Rockets player.

Just this past week, a video showcasing Ziyu playing in her debut at the FIBA Under-18 Women’s Asia Cup became a sensation online.

The tournament was held in Shenzhen, China, and Ziyu, who hails from the Shandong province, stood much taller than any of her opponents in a video that has now gone viral.

She clearly demonstrated that she was head and shoulders above the competition, effectively commanding the court with her height advantage.

NextGen Hoops, which is a widely followed basketball page, aptly described Ziyu as a 'cheat code'. This viewpoint seems to resonate with many others on social media platforms.

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On YouTube, one viewer mentioned, "The most important thing as she grows and progresses into playing with adults in the next few years will be to stay healthy."

Another user expressed curiosity, saying, "She's still 17 and tall, but I wonder if she'll keep growing?" 

Additionally, a third commenter predicted, "She will be a big trouble for US women basketball team in next 10 years."

Ziyu's ability to score is evident in the viral video, where she showcases her exceptional scoring talent.

The basketball star is over seven foot. Getty Images / Fred Lee

In an article published by the International Basketball Federation, Ziyu opened up about dealing with her unique height. 

She expressed, "There are some things we can’t control. I regard it as a gift to me."

While many people are expecting her to climb to the top of the basketball world, Ziyu is currently more focused on refining her skills rather than dwelling too much on her future prospects.

She elaborated further, saying, "I can easily reach the basket. But basketball is definitely more than that."

Her comments reflect her commitment to improving her overall game.