Chinese basketball star Yang Hansen was selected by the Portland Trail Blazers with the No.16 pick in the NBA Draft at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York on Wednesday.
He became the ninth Chinese player ever drafted into the NBA, and the first since 2016 to enter the league through the draft — marking the return of Chinese players to the NBA Draft after a nine-year absence.
Yang is the highest-drafted Chinese player since Yi Jianlian, who went 6th overall in 2007. Such a milestone would not only mark a personal achievement for Yang but also signal a potential resurgence of Chinese talent in the NBA pipeline.
The draft also coincided with Yang's 20th birthday, making the night a double milestone.
Over the course of 24 days, the young center from Qingdao, Shandong province, traveled 27,600 kilometers across the United States, working out with 14 NBA teams — once again bringing the presence of a Chinese player to the world's most competitive basketball stage.
Several players from the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) have made it to the NBA through the draft over the past years, with Yao Ming, Wang Zhizhi and Yi Jianlian each earning roles and achieving success on the international stage.
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The most recent draftee was Zhou Qi, selected 43rd overall by the Houston Rockets in 2016. In 2024, another Chinese player Cui Yongxi made five appearances for the Brooklyn Nets during the 2024–25 NBA season before returning to China after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.
With the new arrival of 20-year-old Yan, a 2.16-meters forward-center, a new chapter is now opening for Chinese players in the NBA. Yang has quickly risen through the ranks of former CBA standouts, earning widespread recognition for his two-way dominance on both ends of the court.
He was named the CBA Rising Star of the Year in back-to-back seasons (2023–24 and 2024–25) and twice earned spots on both the All-CBA Domestic First Team and the CBA All-Star roster.
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In the 2023–24 season, Yang was crowned the CBA Defensive Player of the Year, averaging 15.0 points, 10.8 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 2.2 blocks per game.
He took his game even further in 2024–25, posting 16.6 points, 3.0 assists, and 1.0 steals per game, while shooting 58 percent from the field and 33 percent from three-point range. His 2.6 blocks per game led the league, solidifying his reputation as one of the CBA's premier rim protectors.
Beyond his domestic achievements, Yang has also represented China in international competitions, showcasing his potential on the global stage. His combination of size, mobility, and skill set has drawn interest from multiple NBA scouts before the draft, particularly for his defensive versatility and improved offensive efficiency.
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Fans in both China and the US will be watching closely as the draft unfolds, hopeful that Yang will take the next step in his basketball journey — from Qingdao to the NBA.
