Angel Reese is accustomed to being one of the most physically imposing players on a basketball court. That was not the case when the 6-foot-3 Team USA forward found herself matched against China’s 7-foot-3 teenage sensation Zhang Ziyu during Friday’s FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup opener.

The staggering one-foot height difference created one of the game’s most fascinating individual battles.

Bleacher Report shared a courtside look at the matchup, showing Reese fighting to prevent Zhang from establishing position near the basket.

Zhang initially attempted to overpower Reese on the block. Reese responded by lowering her center of gravity, holding her ground and staying attached as Zhang turned toward the middle of the lane for a short shot. It was a perfect demonstration of the unusual problem Zhang presents. Reese defended the possession with strength and discipline, but she still had to contest a shot released far above her reach.

Angel Reese refuses to back down from Zhang Ziyu

Reese entered the game with a clear assignment: Make every touch difficult for China’s young giant.

The Atlanta Dream forward embraced the challenge. Reese aggressively fronted Zhang in the post, battled for rebounding position and attempted to push her farther away from the basket. Even when Zhang scored or drew a foul, Reese forced the 19-year-old center to work for everything.

Zhang still made an impact after coming off China’s bench. She scored 11 points, collected six rebounds and blocked two shots as the game moved deep into the fourth quarter. Reese’s offensive opportunities were limited, but she contributed three points and seven rebounds, including four on the offensive glass. Her work helped Team USA overcome a significant size disadvantage in the paint.

Aliyah Boston also drew time against Zhang and used a similarly aggressive approach. The Indiana Fever center denied entry passes and even stripped the ball away when Zhang attempted to score over her during the third quarter.

Neither Reese nor Boston could match Zhang’s height. Team USA instead used leverage, quickness and constant pressure to prevent her from controlling the game.

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Team USA overwhelms China in World Cup opener

The Americans built a 27-14 lead after the opening quarter and carried a 49-29 advantage into halftime.

China briefly created problems with its enormous frontcourt combination of Zhang and 6-foot-9 center Han Xu, but Team USA’s depth and perimeter talent eventually became overwhelming. The Americans stretched their lead beyond 30 points during the fourth quarter.

The matchup was a rematch of the 2022 World Cup championship game, which Team USA won 83-61. The Americans entered this year’s tournament seeking their fifth consecutive World Cup gold medal. Reese and Team USA will continue Group D play against Italy on Sept. 6 before facing Czechia on Sept. 7. The group winner advances directly to the quarterfinals.

China may not have been able to keep pace with Team USA, but Zhang provided a glimpse of why she is considered one of international basketball’s most intriguing young players. She also managed to accomplish something exceedingly rare: Make Angel Reese look undersized.