Kamilla Cardoso is by no means a small human being. She stands 6-foot-7, much taller than the average in any country.
But in China, the Chicago Sky star looked puny on the court during a Women’s Chinese Basketball Association (WCBA) game between the Guangdong Vermilion Birds and the Shandong Six Stars, especially when matched up against Zhang Ziyu.
To be fair, 99.9% of people on the planet will get dwarfed by Shandong’s Ziyu, who stands 7-foot-5.
Here’s a clip of Cardoso guarding Ziyu on multiple occasions, with the 18-year-old Six Stars center having her way against the former South Carolina Gamecocks star’s defense by simply imposing her size in the paint. It also helped Ziyu that she avoided getting called for at least a couple of traveling violations.
🇨🇳🏀 7'5" Zhang Ziyu delivered in limited minutes in the win over defending champions Guangdong:
— CGTN Sports Scene (@CGTNSportsScene) January 13, 2026
⏱️ 14 MIN
🔥 10 PTS
💪 2 REB
🚫 3 BLK
🎯 4/6 FG
18-year-old matched up against #WNBA @chicagosky center @Kamillascsilva during the game.#basketball #WCBA pic.twitter.com/Xk52vyDjIz
It was quite an experience for Cardoso, who has played two seasons in the WNBA. She could be competing with Ziyu down the road in the United States, as WNBA teams must be salivating at the prospect of having the Chinese teenager on their rosters, though the league will first have to resolve the ongoing collective bargaining agreement negotiations.
For now, the Brazilian Cardoso will continue her journey in China, as she tries to keep in shape and earn money abroad amid the WNBA offseason.
