Beijing time on November 9, China’s very own “Female Curry” Zhang Jingyi announced via social media that she has officially bid farewell to the WCBA. She will return to her position at Beijing Normal University Experimental High School, expressing heartfelt gratitude to fans for their continued support. Zhang once delivered a jaw-dropping performance in the WCBA, exploding for 50 points with an incredible 16 three-pointers in a single game.
A true sharpshooting icon, Zhang Jingyi was the cornerstone of the Beijing Normal University women’s basketball team during her college years. She became the all-time leading scorer in CUBAL women’s basketball history and earned Finals MVP honors. During the 2021–22 season, she represented the University Sports Federation team in the WCBA, where her record-breaking 50-point performance with 16 threes cemented her reputation as “China’s Female Curry.”
At the 2023 Chengdu Universiade, Zhang returned to the court as a PE teacher from Beijing Normal University Experimental High School and was the only non-active professional player on the roster. She stepped up in the final against Japan with 21 points, helping China secure the championship.
Following the Universiade, Zhang once again joined the WCBA, playing for Hebei and later Beijing. Last season, she appeared in 30 regular-season games, averaging 8.3 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 1.7 assists. In the playoffs, she played four games, contributing 7.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2 assists per contest.
Now, Zhang has shared new photos on social media and reaffirmed her decision to leave the WCBA. “Hello everyone, I’ve already returned to my workplace. Thank you all for your support over the years. I wish Chinese women’s basketball continued success. I just want to live happily and focus on my work—please don’t use my name for unnecessary hype. Thank you.”
This marks the second time Zhang Jingyi has stepped away from the WCBA as she resumes her career in sports education. Whether she will return to the professional court again remains an open question.
