The 2025 WNBA draft is officially in the past, and the league’s next generation now knows where they’re headed, with training camp just about a week away.
While the spotlight is still on this year’s class, especially new Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers, a different name has been making waves on social media.
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Zhang Ziyu, a 17-year-old phenom, has caught the attention of fans online. She won’t be eligible for the WNBA draft until 2027, as league rules require international players to be at least 20 years old in the calendar year of the draft.
The Chinese center recently played at the FIBA U18 Women’s Asia Cup 2024, where she averaged 35.0 points, 12.8 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game. It’s her highlights from that tournament that have been circulating online.
Fans shared their reactions after seeing the video.
“17 and 7’3 Damn,” one fan said.
“7’3” …. Wow!” another wrote.
“I can’t wait till she is in the league that is hilarious,” another added.
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“7’3??? oh hell nah,” said a fan.
“W YAO MING OTW,” added a fan.
“Giving angel reese a run for her money,” one wrote.
Zhang Ziyu, Team China
Ziyu has previously shared that she hopes to one day “play in the WNBA” and “dunk one time during a game.”
A professional has translated this:
“I want to play in the WNBA,” Ziyu said.”My current goal is definitely to dunk one time during a game. A loftier goal would be to go to America and play in the WNBA. It really is a dream that’s so far away right now, but I really want to go.”
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