Viral Video Shows 7-Foot-3-Inch Tall Female Basketball Player Included in China Team

In a video that quickly went viral this week, Zhang Ziyu, a 7-foot-3 basketball player from Shandong province, is seen towering over her competitors on the court during the FIBA Under-18 Women’s Asia Cup in Shenzhen, China. 

This event marked her international tournament debut, and her performance has captured the attention and admiration of many.

Zhang, a 17-year-old center, stands head and shoulders above her opponents, demonstrating her superior size and reach as she effortlessly intercepts passes and shots. 

Her height gives her a significant advantage on the court, allowing her to dominate both offensively and defensively.

In China’s opening game against Indonesia on Monday, Zhang showcased her scoring prowess by going a perfect 9-for-9 from the field, scoring 19 points in just 13 minutes. 

She also contributed seven rebounds, two assists, two steals, and three blocks, leading China to a commanding 109-50 victory. 

Zhang continued to impress on Tuesday with a 36-point performance against Nrew Zealand, pulling down 13 rebounds and blocking four shots in a 90-68 win. 

China is set to play Japan next on Wednesday.

Zhang Ziyu keeps 𝐃𝐎𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 the court 😱

The Chinese young sensation puts up 36 PTS, 13 REB, 4 BLK and 44 EFF against New Zealand 🔥#U18AsiaCup pic.twitter.com/AEkPYv4L5l

— FIBA (@FIBA) June 25, 2024

Chinese social media has been abuzz with Zhang’s incredible height, drawing comparisons to former Houston Rockets star Yao Ming. One comment on YouTube marveled, 

“How do you want to attack when there is a tower under the rim?” Another user on X pondered, “She’s still 17 and tall, but I wonder if she’ll keep growing? It must be hard to find clothes for her.”

Zhang’s height is not entirely surprising given her family background; both of her parents played professional basketball in China. 

Remarkably, she was 5 feet 2 inches tall in the first grade and had reached 6 foot 9 by the sixth grade, according to Chinese state media. 

At her current height of 7 foot 3, she is just 3 inches shorter than Yao, who was one of the tallest players in the history of the National Basketball Association. 

In contrast, players in the Women’s National Basketball Association average about 6 feet in height.

“There are some things we can’t control. I regard it as a gift to me,” Zhang said about her height in an article published Wednesday by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA). 

She previously gained attention in 2021 when she helped her team win China’s U15 National Basketball League. 

Despite her impressive physical attributes, Zhang remains focused on honing her basketball skills. 

“I can easily reach the basket. But basketball is definitely more than that,” she said. 

“I have to learn a lot.”

As Zhang continues to develop her game, the basketball world will undoubtedly be watching closely. 

Her combination of height, talent, and dedication suggests a promising future in the sport.