At 2.23m, Chinese teen Zhang Ziyu is hard to miss at basketball World Cup

China’s head coach Gong Luming (right) speaks to centre Zhang Ziyu during the Fiba Women’s Basketball World Cup Group D match against the US in Berlin on September 4, 2026. — AFP pic

First Published: Thursday, 10 Sep 2026 6:21 PM MYT

BERLIN, Sept 10 — Chinese teenager Zhang Ziyu has towered over the women’s basketball World Cup in Berlin — and her coach has tipped the 2.23-metre tall player for the very top, German Press Agency (dpa) reported.

As one of the tallest women in the world, she looks primed for a possible career in the WNBA in North America, although experts say the 19-year-old still needs to learn how to use her body for maximum impact.

The Chinese team have a special training programme for her before games which she completes away from the rest of the squad.

Her coach Gong Luming told reporters that she is “a once-in-a-century talent not only for our country but for the world.”

United States (US) star Caitlin Clark said last week that “I’ve never played against a woman of that size” — although favourites the US ran out easy 94-61 winners in group play.

Even at the age of 7, Zhang measured 1.60 m, several heads taller than other girls and boys her age. — Bernama-dpa