Latest news with #YangHansen
USA Today
a day ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Trail Blazers sign 16th overall pick Yang Hansen to rookie contract
Chinese center Yang Hansen, the 16th pick in the 2025 NBA draft, signed his rookie-scale contract with the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday, the team announced. Yang was an All-Star in each of his two seasons with Qingdao in the CBA, the top professional league in China. He averaged 16.6 points, 10.5 rebounds, three assists and 2.6 blocks in 32.8 minutes per game across 45 appearances last season. He will make $4,422,360 next season, according to Spotrac. The 7-footer posted averages of 14.7 points, 10.9 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 2.2 blocks during the 2023-24 season with Qingdao. He was the 2024 CBA Defensive Player of the Year and left as a two-time All-CBA domestic first team selection. The Trail Blazers acquired the draft rights to Yang, along with a 2028 first-round pick (via Orlando), a 2027 second-round pick (via Atlanta) and a 2028 second-round pick (via Sacramento), from the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for the draft rights to Cedric Coward (11th pick). Yang, born in Zibo, has also represented China at the international level multiple times. He debuted with the senior team during the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 qualifiers, averaging 8.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.8 assists and one block in six appearances. The recently turned 20-year-old is expected to suit up with the Trail Blazers in the NBA Summer League, beginning July 11 against the Golden State Warriors (11 p.m. EDT, ESPN2).
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Blazers GM reacts to ‘Chinese Jokic' comp for shocking pick
The post Blazers GM reacts to 'Chinese Jokic' comp for shocking pick appeared first on ClutchPoints. The first round of the 2025 NBA Draft is in the books, and the most surprising selection of the night belonged to the Portland Trail Blazers. With the No. 16 overall pick, the Trail Blazers selected Chinese center Yang Hansen, despite the fact he was not expected to get picked until the second round of the draft. After the first round concluded, general manager Joe Cronin weighed in on a unique comparison Hansen was receiving. Advertisement Hansen spent the past two seasons playing for the Qingdao Guoxin Aquatic Products in the Chinese Basketball Association. In his most recent campaign, he averaged 16.6 points, 10.5 rebounds, and three assists per game while shooting 58.6% from the field. With his game closely mirroring that of Denver Nuggets superstar center Nikola Jokic, several folks began to label Hansen 'Chinese Jokic.' While Cronin is a big fan of Hansen, he wasn't ready to go that far just yet. 'Nobody's Jokic. That's a tough one. But as far as his ability to pass the ball, there aren't many at his size that can do it like he does,' Cronin said per Sean Highkin of The Rose Garden Report. Joe Cronin, Trail Blazers hoping Yang Hansen pans out after surprise selection © Brad Penner-Imagn Images Hansen certainly has upside, but many folks were stunned to see Portland select him this early in the draft. Whenever you are drawing comparisons to Jokic, though, that's usually a good sign. Cronin doesn't want to put that sort of pressure on his new center, though, especially considering he's already going to have more eyes on him than usual considering the circumstances surrounding his selection. Advertisement As of right now, the Trail Blazers do not have another pick in the 2025 draft, although that could change if they were to make a trade at some point on Thursday. Assuming they don't, though, the front office will turn their attention towards free agency, where they will look to build up their team in hopes of taking a big step forward next season. Related: Jake Fischer reveals 'Chinese Jokic' comp from Nuggets for surprise Blazers pick Related: Blazers stun NBA world with 7-foot-1 Chinese star after trade
South China Morning Post
4 days ago
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Yang Hansen ‘just that good' he could start game right now, Trail Blazers coach says
China's new basketball golden boy, Yang Hansen, has been handed the No 16 jersey for the Portland Trail Blazers, a nod to the draft pick that stunned fans across the world. Advertisement Yang was selected 16th overall in the NBA draft in New York last week, a move that was called 'unconventional' and what one league executive said was the 'wildest pick I've ever seen'. The 20-yer-old could feature for the Portland Trail Blazers as soon as July 11, when his side take on the Golden State Warriors in the NBA 2K26 Summer League in Las Vegas, but head coach Chauncey Billups said fans might have to wait. 'You see all the centres that we have on our team, so it's too early to tell on that,' Billups said. 'For me, I just see him continuing to get better and better, and learning our game, learning our system, offensively and defensively, learning the language – there's just so much development that needs to happen. Yang Hansen with Portland general manager Joe Cronin (left) and coach Chauncey Billups. Photo: AP 'But we'd feel very comfortable putting him in a game right now; he's just that good.
Washington Post
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Washington Post
Trail Blazers see 7-1 Chinese center Yang Hansen as a unique and versatile talent
PORTLAND, Ore. — 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.
San Francisco Chronicle
5 days 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.'
