Chinese basketball star Yang Hansen celebrated his 20th birthday on Thursday, but the best gift came a day earlier: being selected 16th overall in the 2025 NBA Draft by the Portland Trail Blazers.
Most projections had Yang, a 7’2” center, going in the second round, so his selection in the first round came as a surprise to many, especially to the crowd at New York’s Barclays Center and Chinese fans watching back home. “Hello, NBA! My name is Hansen Yang!” he posted on Weibo, a popular social media platform in China.
While his name may not yet be familiar to many in the U.S., Yang is already a household name in China. He now carries the hopes of millions who hope to see another homegrown Chinese player make waves in the NBA.
A Historical Moment for Chinese Basketball
Yang’s selection marks a significant milestone for Chinese basketball, especially as it comes 23 years after Yao Ming was chosen as the No. 1 pick in the 2002 NBA Draft. Yao’s legendary career with the Houston Rockets began that year, and while it may be too soon to compare Yang to Yao, he’s already shown great potential.
Yang’s skills include vision, rebounding, and three-point shooting—abilities that have impressed both his supporters and scouts.
Yang’s home team, the Qingdao Eagles, congratulated him on social media, calling his selection “a pride for Chinese basketball.”
A Long-Awaited Return for Chinese Players in the NBA Draft
Yang becomes the first Chinese player to be drafted in nearly a decade, following Wang Zhelin and Zhou Qi in 2016. Neither player made a significant impact in the NBA, with Wang never playing in the league and Zhou Qi spending just one season as a bit-part player. Yang’s rise signals the possibility of more Chinese talent entering the NBA in the future.
Yang’s Impressive Career So Far
Yang began his career in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) with Qingdao in 2023. In his short time in the league, he was named Rookie of the Year and an All-Star starter in both of the past two seasons. During the 2024-2025 season, he averaged 16.6 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 3 assists.
In February 2024, Yang made his international debut at just 18 years old, and he’s been a regular on the international stage ever since.
At the NBA Draft Combine, Yang was measured with a 7’3’’ wingspan and a standing reach of 9’3’’, impressive metrics that give him a lot of potential as an NBA player.
A Lesson from Yao Ming
Before the draft, Yao Ming, a Hall of Famer and key figure in Chinese basketball, offered advice to Yang and other young Chinese players aspiring to make it to the NBA. “No matter what the outcome of tomorrow’s draft is, it’s important to remember one thing: the draft is just a small part of their entire career, or even their life,” Yao said.
“What really matters is the path they take afterward,” he added, emphasizing that the journey beyond the draft is what truly shapes a player’s career.
A New Era for Chinese Basketball in the NBA
Yang Hansen’s draft moment marks the start of a new chapter in Chinese basketball, as he now joins the ranks of NBA players and looks to follow in the footsteps of his idol, Yao Ming. As Yang continues to grow as a player, his selection is a hopeful sign for the future of basketball in China and the rising stars who will follow in his footsteps.
