Zhang Ziyu throws it down and makes history

MIES (Switzerland) - A new chapter in Chinese basketball has been written.

China’s 18-year-old, 2.20 M (7'2") center Zhang Ziyu has become the first Chinese woman to dunk in an official game, doing so at the U18 Group of China’s 15th National Games, according to CGTN Sports.

While Xu Han had slammed one home in a WCBA All-Star game last year, Zhang’s feat comes in non-All Star competition - a powerful statement of how fast the women’s game is rising above the rim.

Zhang has been dominating the headlines of women's basketball for a while now, so it doesn't come as a surprise to see her commanding the spotlight again. But while not surprising, it's always refreshing to see women in basketball elevate the game.

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From Alicia Tournebize’s two-handed jams at the 2025 U18 Women’s EuroBasket, to Dominique Malonga and Toby Fournier making headlines since 2022, young female players around the world are redefining what’s possible.

These girls were throwing it down, too:

Dunking sensation Tournebize leaves her mark as France claim bronze

Teenage sensation Malonga throws down historic dunk

And now, Zhang Ziyu has joined - and elevated - that conversation.

FIBA