Chinese basketball star Yang Hansen turned 20 on Thursday, but the best birthday gift he could ask for arrived a day earlier: putting on the NBA draft cap after being picked in the first round.
Most observers projected the Chinese center would go in the second round of the 2025 NBA draft, so the Portland Trail Blazers’ decision to select him with the 16th overall pick shocked the crowd at New York’s Barclays Center, and delighted Chinese fans watching back at home on a weekday morning.
“Hello, NBA! My name is Hansen Yang!” he posted on the X-like social media platform Weibo.
While that name might not yet be familiar to many in the United States, the 7’2” Yang is already well known across China. He now carries the country’s hopes of seeing another homegrown player make waves in the NBA.
Twenty-three years ago today, Yao Ming was selected as the No.1 overall pick, the start of his legendary NBA journey with the Houston Rockets. Comparing Yang to Yao may be premature, but he has already shown capability at both ends of court with his vision, rebounding, and three-point shooting.
Yang’s home club the Qingdao Eagles congratulated him on social media and described his selection as “a pride for Chinese basketball.”
