Nobody imagined that Hansen Yang could come out in the first round of the 2025 Draft. In fact, few expected him to be selected even in the second round. However, the Portland Trail Blazers surprised the world: after making a move with Memphis, they selected him at number 16, betting on his enormous potential. Yang was in the stands at the time of the selection: he himself had not foreseen it.
During the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons, he was part of the Qingdao Eagles in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA). In his last campaign he averaged 16.6 points, 10.5 rebounds, 3 assists and 2.6 blocks per game. He was rookie of the year in his first season in China, as well as being selected to the All-Star Game twice (2024 and 2025).
But what really put him in the spotlight was social media. The videos posted about the Draft Combine (pre-Draft games and workouts) quickly went viral because his style of basketball resembled one of the best players in the league, none other than Nikola Jokic.
His combination of height (7ft 1in), vision and passing ability has drawn immediate comparisons with the Serbian. Blazers general manager Jim Cronin described him as a truly unique talent.
In his Summer League debut last Friday, he showed what he had hinted at during the Draft Combine and his pre-selection games: excellent passer, rim protector and very coordinated. In his first game he scored 10 points, four rebounds, five assists and three blocks against the Warriors, making plays typical of the Balkan interior. While in his second game he did not disappoint either: 10 points, five rebounds, three assists and one block.
The central axis of the attack
Experts warn that Yang needs to be the focus of the attack, as is the case with Jokic. A decision that will be up to Portland’s coaching staff, led by Chauncey Billups. With a young core in rebuilding, the Blazers could give him a chance to develop that central role.
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