Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers reacts during a game against the Phoenix Mercury.Jerome Miron-Imagn Images<\/p>\n The Wings guard has also produced plenty of memorable plays in the tournament, although her most unforgettable moment isn\u2019t really a play. Instead, it was her exchange with China\u2019s 7-foot-3 center Zhang Ziyu during Team USA\u2019s opening game.<\/p>\n To recall, Bueckers was spotted talking to the 19-year-old big during the game and seemingly gesturing about her height. However, it was unknown what they were talking about, with FIBA even requesting<\/a> that she \u201cspill the conversation.\u201d<\/p>\n Now, Bueckers has opened up about the moment and revealed what she said to Zhang during their brief encounter.<\/p>\n According to Bueckers, her interaction with Zhang was an attempt to find a way<\/a> to get into her head while the game was going on.<\/p>\n \u201cJust banter. Friendly banter. I was trying to figure out how much English she knows, so if I was going to talk trash, [I know] how much she\u2019d understand,\u201d Bueckers said, via Bleacher Report. \u201cI did tell her I was going to block her shot and she just looked at me in disbelief.\u201d<\/p>\n For what it\u2019s worth, Bueckers said she doesn\u2019t know if Zhang \u201cdidn\u2019t understand\u201d what she was saying or if \u201cshe just couldn\u2019t believe\u201d that she would say that to her. At the end of the day, though, it\u2019s \u201cjust all fun and games\u201d for Bueckers.<\/p>\n What looked like a mysterious conversation at first has turned out to be a lighthearted moment between the two players. With Team USA projected to go far in the tournament, fans can expect to see more of Bueckers\u2019 lighter side against any opponent she comes up against on the court.<\/p>\n Related: China\u2019s 7-Foot-3 Player Draws Attention Before Facing Angel Reese, Team USA<\/a><\/p>\n This story was originally published by Athlon Sports<\/a> on Sep 12, 2026, where it first appeared in the WNBA<\/a> section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/0c17ab4c-6ca8-41e1-a604-0bb53106e321.jpg\"\/)
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