Zhang Ziyu, China’s ‘strategic nuclear weapon’, on verge of medal in senior tournament debut
The towering sensation is ranked joint third in the Asia Cup for points per game, despite averaging only 13.8 minutes of court time
From the moment she stepped onto a basketball court, China’s 7ft 5in (2.26 metre) centre Zhang Ziyu has been a viral sensation.
Footage of the “moving Great Wall” towering above her opponents – teammates passing her the ball before she simply places it in the net with barely a jump – has become a common occurrence since she burst on to the scene a year ago.
Being an imposing presence on the court is one thing, but being able to turn it into team success is another.
At best, Zhang will claim a bronze medal at the Fiba Women’s Asia Cup in Shenzhen on Sunday, after losing Saturday’s semi-final to Japan 81-90.
It is not the prize she would have hoped for, but she goes into the final game as an MVP contender, with 15 points per game, only 1.5 fewer than the two above her, despite averaging a mere 13.8 minutes per match.
From being born to former professional basketball players, to gaining recognition from some of the world’s best, to questions over her stamina and defensive ability, here is everything you need to know about China’s “strategic nuclear weapon”.