Photo by The world of basketball is abuzz with the emergence of a new star: Zhang Ziyu, a 7-foot-3 Chinese center who has been dominating opponents at the FIBA Under-18 Women’s Asia Cup. With her impressive height and solid shooting skills, Zhang is being hailed as the WNBA’s next Yao Ming.
Zhang Ziyu in action at the FIBA Under-18 Women’s Asia Cup
Zhang’s impressive performance has left basketball fans stunned, with many taking to social media to marvel at her skills. In a recent game against Indonesia, Zhang came off the bench to score 19 points in just 13 minutes, shooting a perfect 9-for-9 from the field. She also collected seven rebounds, helping China to a dominant 109-50 win.
But Zhang’s impact goes beyond her impressive stats. Her height and agility have drawn comparisons to NBA Hall of Famer Yao Ming, who also hails from China. And with her sights set on the WNBA, Zhang is poised to become a global basketball sensation.
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Meanwhile, in the world of college basketball, Mason Gillis has made headlines by transferring to Duke University. The 6-foot-6 forward had previously played for Purdue, but decided to make the move to Durham after being recruited by Duke coach Jon Scheyer.
Duke University’s Cameron Indoor Stadium
Gillis’s decision to join the Blue Devils was influenced by his desire to play for a top-ranked program. And with his impressive stats - including a 47.9% shooting average from the field and 46.8% from 3-point range - Gillis is expected to make a significant impact on the court.
Mason Gillis in action
However, not all basketball news is positive. In a tragic incident, a man was sentenced to life in prison without parole for opening fire on a crowded basketball court in 2022. The shooting, which occurred at Florida A&M University, resulted in the death of an innocent bystander and left four others injured.
The FAMU basketball court where the shooting occurred
As the basketball world continues to grapple with the aftermath of this senseless tragedy, one thing is clear: the sport has the power to bring people together and inspire greatness. From Zhang Ziyu’s impressive debut to Mason Gillis’s exciting transfer, there’s no shortage of exciting news in the world of basketball.
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