In a draft that was labeled top-heavy, the Portland Trail Blazers made a stunning move by grabbing 7-foot-1 Yang Hansen at No. 16 overall—well ahead of draft projections which had the Chinese center going in the second round.

Yang has quickly become a fan favorite after walking up to the stage from the bleachers on draft day as he was not one of the top prospects invited to the green room. 

The young big man then went viral again for his endearing response in a post-draft interview where he decided to forego his translator and answered in English by himself.

The Blazers clearly had strong interest in Yang while the rest of the league looked past him, allowing them to make a savvy trade with the Memphis Grizzlies. The deal swapped Portland’s 11th overall pick (Cedric Coward) for Memphis’ 16th slot, with which they picked Yang, along with a 2028 first round pick and two second rounders.

The two-time CBA Rising Star Yang though is by no means unproven though at this point of his career. He enters the league with significant professional experience, having spent the past two seasons with the Qingdao Eagles in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA). He appeared in 51 games as a rookie in 2023–24 and followed that up with 45 games in 2024–25, showing steady improvement between his two campaigns. 

In his second year, his scoring average improved to 16.6 points along with 10.5 rebounds, three assists, and 2.6 blocks per game. He shot an efficient 58.6% from the field and 33.3% from beyond the arc—posting overall impressive numbers for a 20-year-old big man.

Yang carried his form straight into the NBA Draft Combine, posting a strong all-around line in the second scrimmage (11-6-6 and a block) and flexing his high-post court vision—highlighted by a wrap-around bounce pass that made its rounds on social media. 

This passing ability earned him the nickname “Chinese Jokic” as he was dominating at the youth levels representing his home country China. As the comparison suggests, Yang is a skilled playmaker from the post—capable of making the right reads and decisions with the ball in his hands.

With the Blazers and last year’s starting center Deandre Ayton now going their separate ways, Yang has an opportunity to make an instant impact as a rookie. Incoming sophomore Donovan Clingan is likely to open training camp as their starter, but Yang should have his fair share of playing time with Portland still in the thick of its rebuild. 

Realistically, it might take Yang some time to adjust to the pace and physicality of the NBA, but his potential based on his existing skillset is undeniable. If he can pick up the NBA’s speed as quickly as he’s picked up new fans, the Blazers’ “reach” at 16 could age into a steal, and if his comparisons to Jokic are even half-true, Portland’s rebuild may have just found its cornerstone.