Zhang Ziyu, the 2.2-metre Chinese teenager who already makes WNBA dream

A the world’s largest women’s basketball league winks at Zhang Ziyu, but even Yao Ming admitted today to Lusa that China has “a long way to go” to encourage more players.

When the 19-year-old star appeared, the dozens of young people present at the pavilion in Macau forgot their basketballs and rushed to ask for autographs and photographs.

“ Basketball has given me many different experiences since I was a little girl,” Zhang said at a seminar for a youth audience between 11 and 14 years old in Macau, Hong Kong and other cities in southern China.

Experiences that included, only in September, helping China reach the finals of the World Basketball Championship, where it was one of the nominees for Best Player, and winning the bronze medal at the Asian Games in Japan.

“ They will see it in action for many years, here and probably also abroad, at WNBA”, admitted Dawn Smyth, vice president of the world’s largest male basketball league, the NBA.

But for now, Zhang is still described by critics as slow, with a lack of mobility and too dependent on launching with both hands next to the basket, which reaches without having to jump.

“ It's very important, from the very beginning, to identify what gives you the advantage. My advantage, of course, is my height”, he said, with a smile, the one who is already the highest player in the history of the sport.

Zhang inherited the height of his parents – both basketball players, and his mother became international in China – and recalled that since he was seven years old, he had already received professional training.

But Yao Ming, the greatest Chinese basketball player ever and former president of the China Basketball Federation (2017-2024), today admitted to Lusa that Zhang Ziyu is an exception.

“ In my opinion, interest is the main factor in the development of any child. If basketball really arouses their interest, then we must support them ", defended Yao.

The day before, at the seminar where Zhang Ziyu participated, a young woman complained that her parents wanted her to stop playing because they do not believe she has a future in basketball.

“I’m not very good, but I like to play,” said Macau’s natural teenager.

The seminar was organized in the context of the games, Friday and Sunday, of the NBA pre-season, between the Houston Rockets and Dallas Mavericks teams, whose owner is Patrick Dumont, executive director of Las Vegas Sands, the mother company of Sands China.

“ Chinese parents usually only focus on academic results,” said Sands China Senior Vice President DeVonne Iao.

The executive recalled that she was sent to study in the United States at the age of only 12: “I haven’t had the opportunity to experience different things like you.”.

Asked by Lusa about Chinese parents' prejudice regarding sport practice, Yao Ming paused before responding.

“ I'm a father, too. I have a daughter. To answer your question, it is necessary to analyze the question from the perspective of a coach, a basketball leader and a father”, said the former star.

“ First of all, basketball is the most popular sport in China, both among boys and girls. We have great potential and great talents ", defended Yao.

“ We need to find the best way to help them reach their limit. There is still a long way to go and we will need many resources,” admitted the former president of the China Basketball Federation.