Song Yang

Wang Zhizhi was born in Haicheng City and grew up there. Before entering the public eye, he was involved in the real estate industry in his hometown and achieved a certain level of business success, accumulating considerable wealth. There are few details about his family background and upbringing, but his early life was mainly spent in Haicheng City.

In his personal life, Wang Zhizhi's ex-wife is named Song Yang, who is three years older than him. Her father was a high-ranking military officer. Song Yang had been married before and has one son. Their meeting was somewhat dramatic: they first encountered each other at an airport while waiting for a flight, when Wang Zhizhi borrowed a phone from Song Yang because his own battery was dead. This chance meeting marked the beginning of their relationship. Afterwards, they gradually got to know each other, developed a romantic relationship, and eventually married in Beijing. Due to family considerations, their wedding was relatively low-profile. Even within the basketball community at the time, few teammates knew the specifics of Song Yang's background and family.

Soon after marriage, to pursue greater opportunities, Wang Zhizhi moved to the United States with his wife. During their time in the U.S., they avoided media attention, and it was difficult to find photos of the couple online domestically or internationally. A major reason for their move was that Song Yang believed the U.S. could offer better development opportunities for Wang Zhizhi's basketball career, helping him realize his dream of joining the NBA, and also allowing their children to grow up in a high-quality educational environment.

Wang Zhizhi's basketball career in the U.S. did not meet expectations. During his time with the Dallas Mavericks, his income was $480,000; he was later bought out by the Los Angeles Clippers for $2.1 million, and earned $600,000 with the Houston Rockets, totaling approximately $3.18 million in earnings. Meanwhile, he bought property in Los Angeles worth $2.7 million, and owned a BMW and a Mercedes-Benz. However, after taxes and daily expenses, his remaining income was limited. In terms of finances, Song Yang provided significant support.

In 2004, Wang Zhizhi and Song Yang welcomed their son in the U.S., named Wang Xilin, with the English name Jerry. They hoped that their son might not necessarily pursue basketball but would find success in his own way. The biggest joy in their family life was spending time playing with their son. Song Yang is noted for her strong management skills and good interpersonal relationships; she managed Wang Zhizhi's basketball-related affairs in Los Angeles. Wang Zhizhi trusted and heeded her advice.

According to a report dated May 2, 2023, Wang Zhizhi and Song Yang have officially divorced.