Chinese teenager Zhang Ziyu scored an impressive 44 points in a 97-81 win against Japan during the group stage of the 2024 FIBA Under-18 Women’s Asia Cup.
Zhang, who stands at 7’3″ and has gained huge popularity online, made 20 out of 22 field goals. She also grabbed 14 rebounds, resulting in a double-double, and dished out five assists.
FIBA confirmed that her scoring performance set a new tournament record, surpassing the 39-point mark set by Hsiao Yu Wen of Chinese Taipei in 2022.
Zhang is making a strong impression in her debut on the international stage with China. She scored 19 points and grabbed seven rebounds in the team’s opening win against Indonesia, followed by a stellar performance of 36 points, 13 rebounds, and four blocks in the victory over New Zealand.
With this win, the host country secures a spot in the semifinals, where they will face either South Korea or New Zealand. It’s likely that coach Guizhi Wang will continue to rely heavily on Zhang’s presence in the paint as they aim for their first gold medal in the event since 2018.
