{
  "id": 6222480,
  "title": "China's teenage 223cm basketball player 'just a little girl'",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/08/chinas-teenage-223cm-basketball-player-just-a-little-girl",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-08T03:04:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/sports/others/2026/09/1528092/chinas-teenage-223cm-basketball-player-just-little-girl"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Beijing - Chinese teenage basketball phenom Zhang Ziyu, who stands at an impressive 223cm (7ft 4in), has been compared to NBA legend Shaquille O Neal. Despite her towering height, off the court the 19-year-old is just a little girl, according to teammate Han Xu. Zhang netted three points in just over ten minutes during China's 74-70 overtime win over the Czech Republic in Germany. While she was more of a threat against reigning champions the United States, US superstar Caitlin Clark praised Zhang's potential, calling her a wonderful player whose size presents unique challenges. Clark and Han advised against placing undue expectations on the teenager, emphasizing her youth and ongoing development. Zhang's size has made her a viral sensation, but Clark stressed that she is still a young player who will continue to grow and learn, hinting at a promising future in women's basketball.",
  "summary": "BEIJING: Chinese teenage basketball player Zhang Ziyu stands 223cm (7ft 4in) and towers over opponents at the Women’s World Cup – but off the court she’s “just a little girl.”",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Daily Times",
        "title": "China’s teenage 223cm basketball player ‘just a little girl’",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/08/chinas-teenage-223cm-basketball-player-just-a-little-girl-6247873",
        "published": "2026-09-08T06:26:50.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}