China vs USA: Can Zhang Ziyu Lead Chinese Women’s Basketball Team in World Cup Opener?

Roster Changes and Preparation for the Opener

Compared to the lineup that secured a runner-up finish at the World Cup four years ago, the current Chinese roster features significant turnover. According to Qilu Evening Post, only three players from the previous tournament—Han Xu, Wang Siyu, and Li Yuan—return for this campaign, leaving the rest of the squad with limited major global tournament experience. The team began preparations in mid-April, holding regional training camps and competing in various warm-up matches against different playing styles. However, late-stage disruptions altered the final lineup. Starting center Li Yueru missed the tournament due to a lost passport, creating a major frontcourt void, while guard Wang Siyu is playing through a minor ankle injury.

The United States women’s basketball team is a strong opponent, and from a preparation standpoint, we have done every piece of work well. But the absence of Li Yueru is a substantial loss to our interior defense and offense.

Head Coach Gong Luming (via Qilu Evening Post)

Frontcourt Adjustments and Key Players to Watch

With Li Yueru unavailable, 19-year-old Zhang Ziyu enters her first senior international world competition. According to Qilu Evening Post, Zhang will team up with Han Xu in a twin-towers formation to anchor the paint. While Zhang provides distinct height advantages for interior scoring, rebounding, and shot-blocking, her ability to maintain pace against the athletic and physical defensive rotations of the United States remains a primary focus. Han Xu brings both inside scoring and perimeter shooting, requiring careful management of her minutes and foul trouble to maximize China’s ceiling. In the backcourt, veteran guards Wang Siyu and Li Yuan serve as stabilizers under defensive pressure, tasked with initiating the offense and delivering passes to the interior despite high-intensity perimeter trapping.

Opponent Profile and Group D Outlook

The United States roster enters the tournament without A’ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum, yet retains a deep rotation featuring veterans Breanna Stewart and Chelsea Gray alongside rising talents Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers, according to Qilu Evening Post. The American side relies on rapid transition play, switching defenses, and forcing turnovers to generate fast breaks. For China, Group D progression relies heavily on subsequent fixtures against Czechia and Italy rather than the tournament opener. According to the source reporting, the immediate objective in Berlin is system execution, adjusting to the physical tempo of world-class play, and managing point differentials to secure a favorable group standing.