A towering player who will be a 'disaster' for Korean basketball over the next 20 years has made his debut on the adult stage.
On the 14th, the Chinese women's basketball team defeated the Bosnia women's basketball team 101-55 in a test match held at the Linyi Olympic Park in Beijing, China. Overwhelming their opponents 20-7 in the first quarter, China comfortably utilized multiple players to secure a resounding victory.
China first introduced 18-year-old, 220cm tall center Zhang Ziyu into the adult national team midway through the first quarter. Upon entering the game, Zhang Ziyu showcased tremendous power, scoring eight consecutive points.
Zhang Ziyu, who rested for most of the second and third quarters, entered the court again in the fourth quarter and scored another eight points in a row. On that day, despite limited playing time, Zhang Ziyu recorded 18 points and 7 rebounds.
Zhang Ziyu played for China in the U18 Asia Cup last year, recording an average of 35 points and 12.8 rebounds, and was named MVP despite China finishing as the runner-up. Despite Zhang Ziyu's efforts, China lost to Australia in the final.
At that time, China faced Korea in the semifinals. Zhang Ziyu excelled with 34 points, 16 rebounds, and 5 assists. He made 17 of his 25 two-point attempts, achieving a shooting percentage of 68%. Although 181cm tall Song Yun-ha attempted to defend against Zhang Ziyu, he was no match for her.
The problem is that Zhang Ziyu is a monster center who will trouble Korea for the next 20 years. Korea will face China in the same group at the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 on July 15. Given that China has the advantage of being the host country and Zhang Ziyu's debut, Korea is expected to face a double crisis.
Zhang Ziyu is 27cm taller and 9 years younger than Korea's tallest player, Park Ji-soo (27, KB Stars). With the current main center of the Chinese national team, Han Xu (26, 211cm), already overwhelming for Korean basketball, Zhang Ziyu poses an immense disaster.
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