Zhang Ziyu towers in her World Cup debut as 7-foot-3 sensation helps China reach the quarterfinals

United States’ Paige Bueckers talks to China’s Zhang Ziyu during the Women’s Basketball World Cup match between China and the United States in Berlin, Friday, Sept. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

China’s Zhang Ziyu, center, and China’s head Coach Gong Luming, right, talk during the women’s World Cup basketball match between Italy and China, in Berlin, Germany, Monday, Sept. 7, 2026. (Andreas Gora/dpa via AP)

BERLIN (AP) — Zhang Ziyu has made quite an impression in her women’s basketball World Cup debut.

The 7-foot-3 center for China had 13 points on Wednesday to help the team advance to the quarterfinals with a 75-72 win over Puerto Rico.

Paige Bueckers had a moment with Zhang on the court when the U.S. played China in the opener of pool play for both teams. A video went viral of the pair chatting. Bueckers told The Associated Press the conversation was all fun.