7-Foot-3 Chinese Women’s Basketball Star Finally Breaks Silence On WNBA Goals
The WNBA spotlight is at an all-time high, thanks largely to the 2024 rookie class. Stars like Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark, Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese, and Los Angeles Sparks forward Cameron Brink have injected unprecedented energy into the league.
However, another basketball sensation may soon join their ranks.
Zhang Ziyu is a 17-year-old women's basketball prodigy from China. She stands at 7-foot-3, and many basketball fans are dubbing her the "female Yao Ming" or "Victor Wembanyama."
On Monday, Ziyu opened up about her basketball future, saying she intends on joining the WNBA.
Sep 30, 2022; Sydney, AUS; China fans cheer at a time out in the fourth quarter against Australia at Sydney SuperDome. Yukihito Taguchi-USA TODAY Sports
This video has been translated by a professional.
“I want to play in the WNBA. My current goal is definitely to dunk one time during a game. A loftier goal would be to go to America and play in the WNBA. It really is a dream that’s so far away right now, but I really want to go," Ziyu said.
The reporter followed up by asking, "How are your English studies going?"
"Well, of course, I have to study (English), but it’s a matter of learning it without studying!” Ziyu answered.
Ziyu was born in the Shandong province of China, and she attended Tsinghua University High School in Beijing. Her parents were both basketball players and by the time she was in sixth grade, Ziyu had already stood at 6-foot-9. She was also named the MVP of the 2024 FIBA Under-18 Women's Asia Cup.