The 2026 FIBA Women's World Cup is gearing up to feature a host of prominent players, including stars like Caitlin Clark and Napheesa Collier from the United States, as well as international talents such as Gabby Williams of France and Awa Fam from Spain. However, one player stands out above the rest, quite literally: Zhang Ziyu, a remarkable 7-foot-2 center from China. While she may not yet be a familiar name in the WNBA community, her extraordinary height and potential are sure to capture attention as she competes for her national team.
Zhang, born on May 1, 2007, in Jinan, Shandong, is only 19 years old and is already making headlines in the basketball world. Her eligibility for the 2027 WNBA Draft is a significant talking point, and her performance in the FIBA Women's World Cup could greatly influence her draft stock. As she approaches her 20th birthday during her draft year, expectations are high for this young athlete.
Height measurements for Zhang vary, with FIBA listing her at 7 feet 4 inches and the Olympics stating she is 7 feet 3 inches. Regardless of the exact figure, she is believed to be the tallest active female basketball player, surpassing the height of the late Margo Dydek, who was 7 feet 2 inches tall. Zhang's impressive growth trajectory began in childhood; she was already 5 feet 2 inches in first grade and reached 6 feet 9 inches by sixth grade, showcasing her rapid development.
China's national team head coach, Lu-min Gong, has praised Zhang as a "once-in-a-generation talent," emphasizing her uniqueness in the sport. He remarked, "She doesn’t represent a style, because someone of her stature is as rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns; the only one." This statement highlights the anticipation surrounding Zhang's contributions to the tournament.
Zhang first gained widespread attention in 2024 when she dominated the FIBA U-18 Cup, earning tournament MVP honors while leading China to a silver medal. Her impressive skills, including solid touch and footwork, caught the eye of basketball enthusiasts worldwide. Since then, she has continued to develop her game with the Shandong Six Stars in the Women's Chinese Basketball Association (WCBA), where she has faced off against several WNBA players, including Kamilla Cardoso.
Despite her towering presence, Zhang's game has its limitations. While she has demonstrated the ability to dunk during practice, she rarely executes such plays in games due to the challenges of finding space on the court. Nevertheless, her shooting touch around the basket is promising, as evidenced by her performance against Belgium in World Cup qualifying, where she scored 20 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in just 19 minutes.
As the anticipation builds for the 2027 WNBA Draft, Zhang's prospects remain a topic of speculation. While she may not be a first-round pick, her size and potential make her an intriguing candidate for teams looking to bolster their rosters with a unique talent. Zhang's journey in women's basketball is just beginning, and her performance at the FIBA Women's World Cup could be a pivotal moment in her career.
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