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‘Chinese Jokic’ Yang Hansen selected with 16th pick in NBA Draft
Yang Hansen, the “Chinese Jokic,” was selected with the 16th pick in the NBA draft on his 20th birthday. A surprising move for the basketball star who embodies China's hopes in professional sports.
‘Chinese Jokic’ Yang Hansen selected with 16th pick in NBA Draft
Chinese basketball star Yang Hansen celebrated his 20th birthday on Thursday, but he received the best birthday present the day before: donning an NBA draft cap after being selected in the first round. Most experts had predicted the Chinese center would be selected in the second round of the 2025 NBA Draft, so the Portland Trail Blazers' decision to select him 16th overall caused surprise at the Barclays Center in New York and delighted Chinese fans watching from home that morning.
A rise in the basketball world
"Hello, NBA! My name is Hansen Yang!" he posted on the social media platform Weibo. While this name is unfamiliar to many in the United States, the 7-foot-tall Yang is already well-known in China. He carries the country's hopes of another homegrown player making an impact in the NBA.
A historical comparison with Yao Ming
23 years ago today, Yao Ming was selected first overall, marking the beginning of his legendary NBA journey with the Houston Rockets. It may be premature to compare Yang to Yao, but he has already shown his potential on both ends of the court, particularly with his game vision, rebounding and three-point shooting.
Yang, whose home club the Qingdao Eagles were congratulated on social media and his selection was described as “a point of pride for Chinese basketball.” The "Chinese Nikola Jokic" is the first player from his country to be selected in the NBA draft in nearly a decade, following the 2016 picks of Wang Zhelin and Zhou Qi - one who never played in the United States and the other who spent just one season as a backup player.
Achievements in the CBA and internationally
Yang began his career in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) in 2023 with Qingdao. He was named Rookie of the Year and an All-Star starter the last two seasons. Last season he averaged 16.6 points, 10.5 rebounds and 3 assists per game.
He made his international debut in February 2024 at the age of 18 and has been a fixture in the national team ever since. At the NBA Draft Combine, his wingspan was measured at 2.21 m and his standing reach at 2.82 m.
The future for Chinese talent
The last Chinese player to make it to the NBA was Cui Yongxi, who after going undrafted signed a two-way contract with the Brooklyn Nets last season and played five regular-season games before an injury sidelined him.
At a pre-draft press conference, Hall of Famer Yao gave his advice to Yang and other young Chinese talent dreaming of the NBA. “Regardless of the outcome of tomorrow’s draft, it is important to remember one thing: the draft is only a small part of their entire career or even their life,” he said. “What really matters is the path they take afterwards.”