‘Asian Triumph’: Yang Hansen Selected 16th Overall by Portland in NBA Draft First Round

[OSENWORLD] In a landmark moment for Asian basketball, 20-year-old center Yang Hansen was selected 16th overall by the Portland Trail Blazers in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft. His pick marks the third time a Chinese player has been chosen in the first round—joining Yao Ming (2002) and Yi Jianlian (2007)—and shines a spotlight on Asia’s growing influence in the sport.

Yang’s name was called on June 26 at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center, after Portland traded its No. 11 pick to Memphis in order to trade down to acquire him at No. 16. Blazers executives praised his “rare skill set for a big man,” envisioning a long-term cornerstone if he can sharpen his free-throw shooting consistency.

Standing 7-feet-1 (216 cm), Yang played for the Qingdao Ducks in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) last season, where he averaged 16.6 points, 10.3 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game before declaring for the draft. His court vision and passing instincts have earned him the nickname “Chinese Jokic”—a nod to Denver Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokić.

At the NBA Draft Combine, Yang impressed scouts with his mobility, court awareness and measurements, reinforcing Portland’s decision to use a lottery pick on him. Yet his free-throw shooting—hovering at just 67 percent over two CBA seasons—remains a clear area for improvement.

As he prepares to make the leap to the NBA, expectations are high that Yang’s arrival will inspire a new generation of Asian players and deepen basketball’s global reach. The Trail Blazers believe that, with development in Portland’s system, this “Asian triumph” will be remembered as the moment Yang Hansen’s journey truly began.

/​k_inside@osen.co.kr