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The Portland Trail Blazers acquired the draft rights to the 7 -foot center 1 Yang Hansen from China this summer in an exchange with the Grizzlies of Memphis, and is looking to have an immediate impact.
Yang, 20, is relatively unknown to good weather basketball fans. He has been playing basketball in China since he was in primary school and finally addressed the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA), playing for the Qingdao Eagles.
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Yang Hansen, #16 of the Portland Trail Blazers, poses for a portrait during the NBA of the NBA of the NBA of 2025 in UNLV on July 16, 2025 in Las Vegas. (Harry How/Getty Images)
It was a CBA All-Star in 2024 and 2025 and appointed 2024 defensive player before being raised in the NBA circles. He is ready to become a key part of the Trail Blazers under chief coach Chaunley Billups.
Yang, whose father Yang Lin was a professional basketball player, opened why he decided to play basketball in an interview with The Washington Post. He told the newspaper that he was ready to leave sports completely at the age of 8 when he refused to practice outside in the heat. His father urged him to work hard on something that could help him enter the university. According to the report, Yang tried several Sprots before returning to basketball.
“It wasn’t so good at school, and it was a bit fat,” he told The Washington Post. “My father told me to try some sports, discover what you want to do and lose some weight. My father told me: ‘Don’t become fat.'”
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Yang Hansen, on the right, greets the NBA commissioner, Adam Silver, after being selected as the 16th selection of Memphis Grizzlies in the first round of the NBA Draft of 2025 at Barclays Center in Brookly, New York, on June 25, 2025. (Brad Penner-Imagn images)
Yang will become the ninth Chinese player of the NBA when he finally takes the floor for Portland. The steps of the legendary Yao Ming and former star Yi Jianlian will follow.
Cui Yongxi is the only other active Chinese player. He played five games for the Brooklyn Nets last season, but his year was reduced when he broke his ACL in a Game of the G.
Yang recognized the pressures that will come from China and play in the NBA.
“It’s a lot of pressure, sure,” he told the newspaper. “I just want to show people in China that I am fine. Before addressing the United States, Yao called me and shared some of his experiences. He told me to enjoy his food, enjoy their drinks, enjoy their dream and enjoy everything.
Yang Hansen walks to the stage after being selected as the 16th selection of the Memphis Grizzlies in the first round of the NBA of the NBA of 2025 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, on June 25, 2025. (Brad Penner-Imagn images)
“Yao is the Chinese basketball icon. It’s special. I’m just a rookie. I can feel many expectations and anticipation in me. Yao is number one in paradise. Compared to him, I am cold ash in a pot.”
