China women's basketball team secures second place with win over Italy
Han Xu recorded her second consecutive double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds as China defeated Italy 71-51. The win secured second place in their group, setting up a play-off against Puerto Rico. Zhang Ziyu contributed eight points on perfect shooting.
Han Xu maintained her dominant form, while teenage center Zhang Ziyu shot perfectly from the field. Yang Shuyu logged significant minutes with a well-rounded stat line, and Wang Siyu orchestrated the offense with six assists.
Following an opening defeat to the United States, the squad rebounded to finish second in Group D. The upcoming play-off against Puerto Rico will determine who advances to face France in the next round, with the games held at Berlin's Max-Schmeling-Halle.
This strong showing could boost the profile of women's basketball in China, inspiring young athletes and increasing viewership for the sport. The success of Han Xu and the emergence of Zhang Ziyu may encourage greater investment in youth development programs. For the broader sports community, a deep tournament run could elevate the team's international standing and foster national pride, potentially shifting media attention toward women's team sports.