After 18 years of waiting, Chinese basketball finally had a new representative in the first round of NBA Draft: Yang Hansen – 2m18 high center has just been chosen by Portland Trail Blazers in the turn of 16 NBA Draft 2025.
The online community calls Yang Hansen “Jokic from Temu” – not only for her appearance but also by her smart play, impressive tactical vision.
Hansen was born in 2005 in Shandong, started playing professionally since 2023 in the Qingdao Eagles (CBA) shirt. Through two seasons, he marked with an average of 15.8 points, 10.7 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.4 blocks/match, and twice participated in the All-Star squad.
Surprisingly, Hansen was expected to fall in the middle of the second round according to Mock Draft, but the blazers “scooped up their hands” in the top 20 – showing great belief in the potential of this tall man.
This is the first time since 2007 (Yi Jianlian), China has a new player chosen in the first round of NBA Draft. And more broadly, since 2016 (Zhou Qi, Wang Zhelin) so far, no Chinese name has been called at this prestigious military team – until Hansen appears.
With the addition of Yang Hansen, the current Portland Trail Blazers are quite cramped in the center of the center when Deeandre Ayton, Donovan Clingan, Duop Read and Robert Williams III. But maybe, this rookie from Asia will create an unexpected boom?
From CBA to NBA – Yang Hansen officially opened a new chapter for Chinese basketball!