Yang Hansen speaks to the media after going to the Portland Trail Blazers with the 16th overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, USA, June 25, 2025. /VCG

In a move dripping with historic resonance and future promise, 7-foot-1 Chinese center Yang Hansen went to the Portland Trail Blazers with the 16th overall pick in the NBA Draft, following a trade of positions with the Memphis Grizzlies, who will receive the rights to 11th overall selection Cedric Coward.

Yang becomes just the third Chinese player ever taken in the first round, following in the footsteps of Yao Ming in 2002 and Yi Jianlian in 2007, as well as the ninth Chinese player ever drafted into the NBA.

Over the past month, Yang embarked on a whirlwind audition tour, impressing scouts and coaches alike during workouts for 14 NBA franchises including the Trail Blazers, Phoenix Suns, Milwaukee Bucks, Indiana Pacers, Golden State Warriors, and Los Angeles Clippers.

His athleticism is considered striking, but scouts say his basketball intelligence truly turns heads - an exquisite passing touch, the ability to run the floor, leap with authority, orchestrate plays, and sink jump shots. Those attributes lifted his draft stock and ignited keen interest across the league. Portland moved decisively to select him.

Yang Hansen handles the ball during the NBA Draft Combine at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois, USA, May 14, 2025. /VCG

Yang's resume is already impressive. This past season in the Chinese Basketball Association saw him average 16.6 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks per game. As the undisputed leader of the Qingdao Eagles, he helped lead the squad to the quarterfinals of the CBA Playoffs. He was named to the All-CBA Team and earned Top Young Rising Star honors for the second year in a row.

The milestone draft selection coincides his 20th birthday, and marks another celebratory moment in his budding career. Now the Trail Blazers and fans around the world will be watching closely as Yang begins his quest to carve out his own legacy in the world's most demanding basketball arena.

Source: CGTN