China’s Zhang Ziyu Named FIBA ‘Rising Star’ Ahead of World Cup Qualifiers
Zhang Ziyu of the Chinese women’s basketball team catches the ball under the goal during an evaluation match against Japan. Sohu.com capture
Ahead of the final qualifiers for the 2026 International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Women’s Basketball World Cup, FIBA has selected Rising Stars
to keep an eye on. The Korean national team was not named among the 11 players, including women’s Yao Ming
Zhang Ziyu (China) and players from Japan and the Philippines.
A New Generation of Talent
On March 4th, FIBA introduced 11 Rising Stars
of the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup final qualifiers on its website. FIBA has informed basketball fans of all the promising players from around the world under the age of 21 who will be active in this final preliminary round. French center Dominic Malonga, a silver medalist at the 2024 Paris Olympics, was introduced first, followed by Zhang Ziyu.
Zhang Ziyu: A Unique Force
Zhang Ziyu, known for her remarkable height exceeding 220cm, is making a significant impact on the international stage. FIBA explained, Even in a country with a conveyor belt of outstanding centers, Zhang Ziyu is a special and unique being.
The organization further noted, Her physique is unprecedented in modern women’s basketball, and although she is only 18 years old, she already boasts outstanding skills. Her overwhelming scoring streak at the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup 2025 proves this.
Zhang Tzuyu is dribbling with her back to the opponent under the goal in the game against Japan. FIBA homepage
Zhang Ziyu is a treasure cherished by the Chinese women’s basketball world. She demonstrated tremendous performance at the 2024 FIBA U-18 Women’s Asian Cup, scoring 42 points and 14 rebounds in the final against Australia. Despite the team’s loss, she was selected as the tournament’s MVP and averaged 15.6 points in last year’s FIBA Asian Cup, despite playing only 14 minutes on average.
Other Rising Stars Recognized
Following Zhang Ziyu, Japan’s Coco Tanaka, born in 2006, was also named. FIBA described Tanaka as a fearless leader
who took the senior stage by storm
, praising her sensational three-point shooting and creative play for her teammates.
Filipino guard Naomi Panganiban, also born in 2006, was recognized for her outstanding scoring ability
and speed
.
Kokora Tanaka of the Japanese women’s basketball team. FIBA homepage
The Korean women’s basketball team will depart for France on March 7th to compete in Group B against Colombia, the Philippines, Germany, France, and Nigeria. The top two teams, excluding Germany and Nigeria, will qualify for the World Cup finals in Berlin, Germany in September.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How tall is Zhang Ziyu? She is over 220cm (7’3″) tall.
- What was Zhang Ziyu’s performance at the 2024 FIBA U-18 Women’s Asian Cup? She scored 42 points and 14 rebounds in the final game and was named MVP of the tournament.
- Which other players were named FIBA ‘Rising Stars’? Coco Tanaka (Japan) and Naomi Panganiban (Philippines) were also recognized.
Stay tuned to 247sports.news for continued coverage of the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup qualifiers and the rising stars of the game!