CAITLIN Clark may not be the WNBA’s top talent for long.
The 22-year-old Indiana Fever guard came into the league with great enthusiasm thanks to his scoring exploits in college.
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But she can’t stand up to Zhang Ziyu – at least in terms of stature.
The Chinese teenager is being considered the female Yao Ming after her highlights went viral.
Zhang and her 7-foot frame have led China to impressive victories at the FIBA Under-18 Women’s Asian Cup in Shenzen.
The 17-year-old center towered over the opposition in a viral compilation, accumulating points and making blocks.
Zhang went 9-for-9 in demolishing Indonesia in China’s opening game 109-50, scoring 19 points in 13 minutes with seven rebounds.
She recorded 36 points, 13 rebounds and four blocks in a 90-68 victory over New Zealand.
And that was followed by a 44-point, 14-rebound performance in an 87-81 win over Japan.
“Zhang Ziyu aka the WNBA’s next Yao Ming,” one fan posted on X.
“She will make thousands of dollars in the WNBA,” added another.
“She has a good touch, very impressive,” posted a third.
Zhang is from Shangdong province and his parents played professional basketball in China.
According to local reports, she was 5 feet 7 inches tall in first grade and reached 5 feet 6 inches in sixth grade.
“There are some things we cannot control. I consider this a gift to myself,” Zhang told FIBA.
“I can get to the basket easily. But basketball is definitely more than that. I have to learn a lot.”
Clark was apparently involved in a sideline argument with coach Christie Sides during Sunday’s 88-87 loss to the Chicago Sky.
‘A wasted opportunity?’
By Damian Burchardt, Assistant US Sports Editor
CAITLIN Clark’s omission from the Team USA lineup can easily be justified from a purely basketball perspective.
The Indiana Fever star has had an up-and-down start to the 2024 WNBA season, leading the league in shutouts while shooting less than 30% from 3 through the first three weeks of the campaign.
She didn’t beat out Kelsey Plum, Sabrina Ionescu and Jewell Loyd to win the nomination.
A short break could really help Clark’s transition from college to pro basketball.
The 6-foot guard barely had time to rest between Iowa’s run to the March Madness final, the 2024 NBA Draft and the start of the WNBA season.
On the other hand, Clark’s absence could be seen as a missed opportunity to promote the women’s Olympic basketball team in Paris.
Considering the huge enthusiasm generated by her first week on W, it would definitely increase the viewing figures for Team USA’s games.
The 6-foot-1 point guard made a pass instead of shooting the ball on what appeared to be the final two possessions of the game.
After the game, she downplayed her lack of shooting in the decisive moment.
“I’m sure there were one or two opportunities for me to probably try another shot at the end, but I trust my teammates,” the Fever rookie said.
“Obviously 13 assists, that means my teammates scored on 13 of my passes.
“It’s a really great number, so I’m always going to give them the ball. Give them the opportunity to score. I believe in them.”
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
