China's 7-foot-3 Zhang makes her debut at Women’s Basketball World Cup
AP News • • sports
Key Points:
- China’s 19-year-old Zhang Ziyu, standing 7-foot-3, made a strong impression in her World Cup debut, scoring 13 points and challenging the U.S. team physically despite China’s 94-61 loss.
- U.S. coach Kara Lawson praised Zhang’s potential, noting her efficiency near the basket and free-throw line, while acknowledging the difficulty in defending her due to her size and skill.
- Zhang received specialized training due to her unique physical attributes, with a tailored warm-up routine to accommodate her height and build.
- Zhang was supported by teammates Han Xu and the absent Li Yueru, who missed the tournament due to a passport issue; Han praised Zhang’s readiness to compete at the world level.
- China’s team, while not favored to surpass their 2022 performance, gains a new strategic advantage with Zhang’s presence as they prepare to face the Czech Republic next.
