Who is Zhang Ziyu, the teen basketball player who is already over 7 feet tall?
Image: X.com
Imagine walking into a gym and spotting someone who's literally head and shoulders above everyone else—by two feet. That's Zhang Ziyu: a 17-year-old Chinese basketball prodigy towering at a jaw-dropping 7 ft 3 in (2.20 m) who's become the internet's latest obsession.
Born on May 1, 2007, in Jinan, Shandong Province, Zhang was always destined to stand out. With both parents being former pro players—her dad around 7 ft and her mom a tall 6′ 6″ center—it wasn't a surprise when Zhang shot up. By first grade, she was 5 ft 2″, and by sixth grade, she stood a stunning 6 ft 9″. She literally towered over her classmates, and her height became her superpower on the court.
At just 14, during a National U15 Championship, she dominated—and didn't slow down, later exploding for 68 points and 24 boards in provincial play.
— NBA_NewYork (@NBA_NewYork)
"Most valuable player"
Then came 2024's FIBA Under-18 Women's Asia Cup in Shenzhen—her global breakout. In her international debut, Zhang stunned everyone by scoring 19 points on a flawless 9-of-9 shooting performance, adding seven rebounds, three blocks, two steals, and two assists in just 13 minutes.
Fans on X (formerly Twitter) were stunned: 'Zhang Ziyu is a cheat code'. Highlight reels of her effortless dunks and towering presence went viral worldwide.
'Female Yao Ming'? Well, kind of
Comparisons to Yao Ming—China's legendary 7 ft 6″ NBA Hall of Famer—came fast and furious. At 7′ 3″, she's currently the tallest female basketball player on record, even taller than ex-pro Margo Dydek and current WNBA star Han Xu.
Sure, her height gives her an edge, but there's more to Zhang Ziyu than just length. She's got skills—and a grounded mindset paired with an enormous heart. That combination makes her story not just about stats, but about potential.
Fans see a future force in women's basketball who's not just tall, but smart, expressive, and already field-savvy. Her dominance isn't just about size; coaches praise her high basketball IQ, soft hands, footwork, and defense.
Zhang Ziyu is a once‑in‑a‑generation baller with stats that read like video game cheat codes. She balances raw athleticism with basketball savvy and kindness. Social media loves to call her 'the cheat code,' 'female Yao Ming,' or even 'the next Wembanyama'—and after seeing those highlight tapes, it's hard not to agree.
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