How would you rate Zhang Ziyu's performance in her first world championship?

Last night, the Chinese women's basketball team lost to France in the quarterfinals, concluding their World Cup campaign. This result was within expectations; the team's performance was decent. If not for the demanding schedule (two games within 24 hours), they could have done even better.

Finishing in the top eight meets expectations for a team undergoing a generational transition. As for Zhang Ziyu, who has drawn considerable attention, her performance in this first world championship can barely be considered passable.

In five games, Zhang Ziyu came off the bench in all of them, averaging 13 minutes, 8.8 points, 5 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game, along with 3 turnovers and a 62.5% field goal percentage. For a backup center, these numbers are decent except for the turnovers; her free-throw percentage was a pleasant surprise. However, against strong opponents, her weaknesses were fully exposed, leading to some rough moments on the court.

In last night's game against France, Zhang Ziyu recorded three blocks against the opposing backup center in the first quarter, showcasing impressive defense. France's center, Malonga from the Seattle Storm of the WNBA, commented, "I have never been so thoroughly dominated in my entire life."

However, over the full game, Zhang played 18 minutes, shooting 3-of-4 from the field and 1-of-2 from the free-throw line, finishing with 7 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 turnovers. Her plus-minus was -25, the worst on the team. Last night, the coaching staff intentionally gave Zhang more playing time, possibly for training purposes, but her ball-handling was poor, forcing numerous turnovers and putting the team in a passive position.

When she received the ball, the opponent's defense immediately converged. As long as she didn't raise the ball, they would apply pressure and give plenty of physical contact without fouling. Zhang obviously was not used to this defensive intensity, leading to hurried passes and frequent turnovers.

For fans who viewed Zhang as a "secret weapon," this performance fell far short of expectations. But for those who have followed her closely, it was not surprising given that she couldn't even play extended minutes in domestic leagues. Bringing Zhang to this World Cup was more about giving her experience.

If Li Yueru had been available, Zhang would not have received so many minutes. Remember, she is only 19 years old, with raw skills overall, while her opponents are professional players—especially the French team, most of whom play in the WNBA.

Zhang's current game is still too one-dimensional. Both offensively and defensively, she struggles to have a positive impact outside the paint. The Chinese women's guards also find it difficult to deliver the ball into Zhang's comfort zone. Additionally, Zhang's slow pace is a problem; she rarely initiates pick-and-rolls, which prevents her from fully participating in most plays. On defense, she can only stay under the basket while others handle zone coverage.

Zhang's speed issue may be unsolvable. At a height equivalent to about 2.4 meters in men's basketball, she is a unique case unprecedented in women's basketball history, with no precedent to follow. As a result, the Chinese women's team has been very cautious in her development. If they blindly push for weight loss, it could disrupt her body balance and risk injury.

Zhang's body is still developing, and she is far from physical maturity. You cannot expect someone of her physique to run like Wembanyama; she has her own growth path. There is no need to judge her based on a few games at age 19.

Of course, Zhang has significant room for improvement. First, she needs to add more offensive moves and extend her shooting range. Currently, her finishing is mostly with both hands, including layups under the basket. In the future, she can incorporate post moves like back-to-basket turns, one-handed hooks, and floaters. There is still much to refine in her low-post skills.

On offense, Zhang also needs to learn to "serve" her teammates more, rather than having four players watch while she posts up. She should actively set screens and pass the ball, increase her movement in the half-court, and enhance her versatility in set plays.

We certainly have high hopes for Zhang, but we should never regard her as a savior. In lower-level competitions, she can dominate, but at higher levels, her threat diminishes. We need to be rational about her growth and lower expectations—after all, she is still a young adult just coming of age.

Zhang gained fame too early, so she inevitably encounters various opinions online. After this World Cup, we hope her mentality remains unaffected. The road ahead is long; she should neither stagnate nor rush. Take it step by step, and every step counts.