Latest news with #Yang
Canada News.Net
5 hours ago
- Sport
- Canada News.Net
China Sports Weekly (6.22-6.28)
BEIJING, June 28 (Xinhua) -- Here are the latest Chinese sports headlines from the past week: 1. China's Wang Xinyu finishes runner-up at WTA Berlin Open with grass-court breakthrough China's rising star Wang Xinyu capped off a milestone week at the WTA 500 Berlin Open with a runner-up finish on June 22, following a fierce three-set battle against former Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova. Despite falling in Sunday's final by 7-6 (10), 4-6, 6-2, the 23-year-old delivered a career-best performance on grass and signaled her growing presence among the game's elites. Wang's performance in Berlin was the first time she has reached a grass-court final. After navigating two rounds of qualifying, the Chinese ousted world No. 16 Daria Kasatkina in the first round, then stunned newly-crowned French Open champion and world No. 2 Coco Gauff 2-0 for her first career victory against a top-two player. 2. Star center Yang becomes third Chinese selected in first round of NBA Draft Star center Yang Hansen became the third Chinese player to be selected in the first round of the NBA Draft where he was picked 16th overall on June 25 and is headed to the Portland Trail Blazers. Portland initially had the 11th pick and traded their pick positions with the Memphis Grizzlies. "I am very happy," said Yang, who turns 20 on June 26. "I was also surprised and excited. My legs are shaking even now." Standing at 2.18 meters, Yang is now the highest-ranked Chinese draft pick since Yao Ming and Yi Jianlian, who were selected No. 1 by the Houston Rockets in 2002 and No. 6 by the Milwaukee Bucks in 2007, respectively. 3. China sacks coach Branko Ivankovic after World Cup qualifying failure The Chinese Football Association (CFA) announced on June 27 the dismissal of national team head coach Branko Ivankovic following China's failure to secure qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The CFA confirmed in an official statement that its contract with Ivankovic has been automatically terminated after China failed to advance into the playoff stage of the World Cup Asian qualifiers. "The Chinese Football Association expresses gratitude to Mr. Branko Ivankovic and his coaching staff for their dedicated efforts during their tenure with the men's national team and their contributions to Chinese football. We wish Mr. Ivankovic all the best in his future work and life," the statement said. The CFA also announced that Dejan Djurdjevic as caretaker manager of the men's national team, and the Serbian will lead China's campaign at the East Asian Football Federation (EAFF) E-1 Football Championship. 4. China suffers straight losses at 2025 Volleyball Men's Nations League in Chicago China suffered three consecutive losses at the 2025 Volleyball Men's Nations League (VNL) Chicago leg, falling to the United States, Brazil and Italy. Ranked world No. 24, China was narrowed defeated by Team USA 25-22, 21-25, 19-25, 25-16, 15-11 on June 25. Having to face Brazil within 15 hours in a packed schedule, China fell short 25-22, 25-16 and 25-23, before conceding to world champion Italy 25-18, 25-15, and 25-19 on June 27. "We were trying to fight, and the most important is that you play at your maximum, but you have to accept sometimes that other teams are better," China's Belgian head coach Vital Heynen said after the Italy defeat. China is scheduled to face Canada on June 29. 5. China's basketball governing body stresses zero tolerance on doping after two violations in CBA The Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) has emphasized its zero tolerance on anti-doping efforts after two overseas players test positive during an in-competition test in the CBA league in April. In a statement released on June 24, the CBA said it has noted the disclosure by the China Anti-Doping Agency (CHINADA) one day prior regarding doping violations involving Montrezl Dashay Harrell and Troy Akeem Gillenwater, both from the United States. According to CHINADA's report, Harrell and Gillenwater, then playing for the Xinjiang Flying Tigers and the Guangdong Southern Tigers respectively, tested positive for tetrahydrocannabinolic acid. Both of them gave up the right of having their B samples analyzed. "The CBA firmly opposes any form of doping violations and maintains a zero tolerance stance on anti-doping efforts," read the statement. "We are committed to safeguarding the integrity and fairness of basketball and will not tolerate any breaches of anti-doping rules."
San Francisco Chronicle
17 hours ago
- Sport
- San Francisco Chronicle
Trail Blazers see 7-1 Chinese center Yang Hansen as a unique and versatile talent
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Yang Hansen is going to fit into American culture just fine. The Trail Blazers' 7-foot-1 Chinese center was introduced to Portland on Friday, and was asked about his interests. Turns out, he's already a gamer. 'Sometimes I sleep. All the time, sleep. I like to play PS5. And I like to eat,' Yang said, laughing. Yang was the 16th pick in the NBA draft on Wednesday. While some were surprised that he went as early as he did, the Blazers had been scouting him for two years. Yang averaged 16.6 points and 10.5 rebounds last season for the Qingdao Eagles. He has played for the team in China's top pro league for the past two seasons. 'You can just tell he's been taught the right way. So a lot of things as a coach that I have to teach with young guys, I don't have to teach this kid,' Blazers coach Chauncey Billups said. 'He's been taught the right way, so I'm really excited about him, and it's going to be a lot of fun.' Portland had the 11th pick in the draft but traded the draft rights to guard Cedric Coward to the Memphis Grizzlies for Yang's draft rights, a 2028 first-round pick, a 2027 second-round pick and a 2028 second-round pick. Blazers general manager Joe Cronin saw value in the deal and didn't want to risk dropping any lower for fear Yang would not be available. "This is a very, very unique talent, in our opinion. He obviously has great size at 7-2, young, just turns 20 tomorrow. High, high-end skillset, his ability to pass, his basketball IQ, his functionality in the post. His ability to step out. We think he'll be a good free-throw shooter, we think he'll make perimeter jump shots as well,' Cronin said. 'Defensively, he's a really smart player that can be pretty versatile in the post with his size and IQ." Yang, who was seated in the stands at the draft and had to make his way down to the stage when his name was called, said the comparisons he's heard to Nikola Jokic and fellow countryman Yao Ming are flattering. 'I think the Baby Joker or being compared to Yao are a big honor,' Yang said through an interpreter. "I just try to learn from everyone, every good player, and try to improve myself every day.'
Winnipeg Free Press
18 hours ago
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Trail Blazers see 7-2 Chinese center Yang Hansen as a unique and versatile talent
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Yang Hansen is going to fit into American culture just fine. The Trail Blazers' 7-foot-1 Chinese center was introduced to Portland on Friday, and was asked about his interests. Turns out, he's already a gamer. 'Sometimes I sleep. All the time, sleep. I like to play PS5. And I like to eat,' Yang said, laughing. Yang was the 16th pick in the NBA draft on Wednesday. While some were surprised that he went as early as he did, the Blazers had been scouting him for two years. Yang averaged 16.6 points and 10.5 rebounds last season for the Qingdao Eagles. He has played for the team in China's top pro league for the past two seasons. 'You can just tell he's been taught the right way. So a lot of things as a coach that I have to teach with young guys, I don't have to teach this kid,' Blazers coach Chauncey Billups said. 'He's been taught the right way, so I'm really excited about him, and it's going to be a lot of fun.' Portland had the 11th pick in the draft but traded the draft rights to guard Cedric Coward to the Memphis Grizzlies for Yang's draft rights, a 2028 first-round pick, a 2027 second-round pick and a 2028 second-round pick. Blazers general manager Joe Cronin saw value in the deal and didn't want to risk dropping any lower for fear Yang would not be available. Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. 'This is a very, very unique talent, in our opinion. He obviously has great size at 7-2, young, just turns 20 tomorrow. High, high-end skillset, his ability to pass, his basketball IQ, his functionality in the post. His ability to step out. We think he'll be a good free-throw shooter, we think he'll make perimeter jump shots as well,' Cronin said. 'Defensively, he's a really smart player that can be pretty versatile in the post with his size and IQ.' Yang, who was seated in the stands at the draft and had to make his way down to the stage when his name was called, said the comparisons he's heard to Nikola Jokic and fellow countryman Yao Ming are flattering. 'I think the Baby Joker or being compared to Yao are a big honor,' Yang said through an interpreter. 'I just try to learn from everyone, every good player, and try to improve myself every day.' ___ AP NBA:
Hindustan Times
18 hours ago
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Trail Blazers see 7-2 Chinese center Yang Hansen as a unique and versatile talent
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Yang Hansen is going to fit into American culture just fine. HT Image The Trail Blazers' 7-foot-1 Chinese center was introduced to Portland on Friday, and was asked about his interests. Turns out, he's already a gamer. 'Sometimes I sleep. All the time, sleep. I like to play PS5. And I like to eat,' Yang said, laughing. Yang was the 16th pick in the NBA draft on Wednesday. While some were surprised that he went as early as he did, the Blazers had been scouting him for two years. Yang averaged 16.6 points and 10.5 rebounds last season for the Qingdao Eagles. He has played for the team in China's top pro league for the past two seasons. 'You can just tell he's been taught the right way. So a lot of things as a coach that I have to teach with young guys, I don't have to teach this kid,' Blazers coach Chauncey Billups said. 'He's been taught the right way, so I'm really excited about him, and it's going to be a lot of fun.' Portland had the 11th pick in the draft but traded the draft rights to guard Cedric Coward to the Memphis Grizzlies for Yang's draft rights, a 2028 first-round pick, a 2027 second-round pick and a 2028 second-round pick. Blazers general manager Joe Cronin saw value in the deal and didn't want to risk dropping any lower for fear Yang would not be available. "This is a very, very unique talent, in our opinion. He obviously has great size at 7-2, young, just turns 20 tomorrow. High, high-end skillset, his ability to pass, his basketball IQ, his functionality in the post. His ability to step out. We think he'll be a good free-throw shooter, we think he'll make perimeter jump shots as well,' Cronin said. 'Defensively, he's a really smart player that can be pretty versatile in the post with his size and IQ." Yang, who was seated in the stands at the draft and had to make his way down to the stage when his name was called, said the comparisons he's heard to Nikola Jokic and fellow countryman Yao Ming are flattering. 'I think the Baby Joker or being compared to Yao are a big honor,' Yang said through an interpreter. "I just try to learn from everyone, every good player, and try to improve myself every day.' ___ AP NBA:
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
7-foot-2 NBA draft prospect from China drawing comparisons to 3-time MVP Nikola Jokic
The post 7-foot-2 NBA draft prospect from China drawing comparisons to 3-time MVP Nikola Jokic appeared first on ClutchPoints. Scouts were always high on the prospects entering the 2025 NBA draft. For the majority of the 2024-2025 season, 7-foot-2 Hansen Yang fell into the category of a mystery player or a 'draft and stash' prospect. Advertisement People were skeptical about whether Yang's dominance in China could translate to the NBA. However, everyone's perception of Yang changed once the NBA draft combine and Klutch Pro Day came around. Who is 2025 NBA Draft prospect Hansen Yang? Yang has flown under the radar on most draft boards, not just because of the surplus of talent in this year's class, but for three main reasons: – Limited sample size in his game. – Recent track record of Chinese players playing in the NBA – Inferior competition Born in 2005, Yang isn't following the mold of slender, 7-foot unicorns who shoot threes all game. Yang is more of an old-school big who relies on his IQ and soft touch to generate offense. Advertisement Yang is currently in his second season in the CBA. In his first 10 games with the Qingdao Eagles, he averaged 16.3 points, 10.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 2.7 blocks per game. Last season as a rookie, Yang averaged similar numbers and won Defensive Player of the Year. Last April, the NBA and ESPN released their latest mock drafts. Both had Yang as a late second-round pick, around the late 40s to early 50s. At the draft Combine, Yang was determined to change the narrative. As a player whose perceived weakness is with his lateral speed and quickness, Yang finished in the top 5 among centers in all dynamic performance tests. This includes the shuttle run, lane agility drill, and 3/4 sprint. Why Yang has been compared to the likes of Alperen Sengun, Nikola Vucevic, and Nikola Jokic The comparisons were always there. Most scouts just refused to give in to the hype because of his competition. During the combine, Yang's bag was on full display. On a day when most people pinpoint the strengths and weaknesses of the projected top picks of the draft, Yang's play took the headlines. Advertisement He showed that he can extend his range, score (and defend) in the post against stronger centers, and deliver accurate passes. There's still a lot more scouts need to see from Yang in the coming days. Luckily, he is represented by Klutch Sports. If for some odd reason he won't hear his name called on draft night, Rich Paul most likely has something up his sleeve that ensures Yang is in the best situation for him to develop and make an NBA roster. If so, he could become a steal like Jokic. Related: Stephen A. Smith sends final NBA All-Star Game warning Related: NBA rumors: Why Tim MacMahon 'won't dismiss' Jason Kidd leaving Mavericks for Knicks
