Zhang Ziyu turned heads among basketball fans on social media, leaving them stunned by her height during China’s women’s basketball World Cup opener against Team USA.

Friday saw Team USA defeat China 94-61, with Caitlin Clark starting on the bench. Clark finished the contest as Team USA’s joint top scorer, scoring 14-points, which was matched by Paige Bueckers and Rhyne Howard.

One of the ‘biggest’ talking points to emerge from the game was Zhang’s on-court performance. The 7-foot-4 teenager dwarfed her opponents, towering over the likes of Angel Reese and Aliyah Boston, who were both tasked with defending Zhang.

• ‘It’s not fair’ – Two USA stars snubbed from Presidents Cup team

• Dianna Russini and Mike Vrabel photographs that prove ‘violation’ of The Athletic’s policy

The 19-year-old finished the contest against Team USA with 13 points, tying for China’s top scorer with teammate Xinyu Luo.

While fans were blown away by Zhang’s size, she is currently ineligible to play in the WNBA due to her age. International draftees must be at least 20 years old during the year in which the draft takes place.

Zhang turned 19 back in May, a month after the 2026 WNBA Draft. That would mean she will be draft eligible next year.

However, many fans were quick to note that while Zhang has the size to play in the WNBA, her play for China was well below the standard required to play stateside.

“Zhang Ziyu needs better trainers, I’m sorry they didn’t condition her right. I don’t blame her, I blame the trainers in China,” wrote one user on X.

A second commented, “China has all that money but can’t find a trainer for Ziyu Zhang. Send her to the USA for 5 years. We will get her right. Can’t teach height.”

A third wrote, “Clearly this Chinese player is just on the team for height. Clearly can’t play basketball.”

A fourth commented, “she big slow and non athletic just like Yao. people forget bloodline is everything with athleticism.”

A fifth said, “Height advantage debate aside, skill always decides the final outcome.” And a sixth said, “Who’s been training that woman? Press charges on them for not teaching her a drop step and jump hook.”

If Zhang were drafted next year, she would immediately become the tallest player in WNBA history, a feat currently held by Margo Dydek, who was listed at 7-foot-2. She currently plays for the Shandong Six Stars in the Women’s Chinese Basketball Association.

The 2027 WNBA Draft is already shaping up to be an elite one, too, with the likes of JuJu Watkins, Hannah Hidalgo, and Madison Booker all looking like they could become future superstars when they enter the league.