A Milestone Draft Pick and the Resurgence of Chinese Talent in the NBA

On Wednesday, the Portland Trail Blazers selected Chinese center Yang Hansen with the 16th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. The draft took place in Brooklyn, New York.

Yang, a rising star in Chinese basketball, was chosen at the Barclays Center. This selection marked a significant moment, as he became the ninth Chinese player ever drafted into the NBA. He is also the first Chinese player to enter the league through the draft since 2016, ending a nine-year absence of Chinese players in the NBA Draft.

Yang's draft position is the highest for a Chinese player since Yi Jianlian, who was drafted 6th overall in 2007. This achievement is a personal milestone for Yang and suggests a potential resurgence of Chinese talent in the NBA. The draft also coincided with Yang's 20th birthday, making the night even more special.

Prior to the draft, the young center from Qingdao, Shandong province, traveled extensively across the United States, working out with 14 NBA teams. This effort highlighted the return of a Chinese player to the world's most competitive basketball stage.

Historically, several players from the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) have been drafted into the NBA, with Yao Ming, Wang Zhizhi, and Yi Jianlian achieving success. The most recent draftee before Yang was Zhou Qi, selected in 2016. In 2024, Cui Yongxi played for the Brooklyn Nets before returning to China due to injury.

With the arrival of the 7-foot-1 Yang, a new chapter is beginning for Chinese players in the NBA. Yang has quickly become a standout, recognized for his skills on both ends of the court. He was named the CBA Rising Star of the Year for two consecutive seasons and earned spots on the All-CBA Domestic First Team and the CBA All-Star roster.

In the 2023–24 season, Yang was named the CBA Defensive Player of the Year, averaging 15.0 points, 10.8 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 2.2 blocks per game. He improved further in the 2024–25 season, averaging 16.6 points, 3.0 assists, and 1.0 steals per game, while shooting efficiently from the field and from three-point range. His 2.6 blocks per game led the league.

Yang has also represented China in international competitions. His combination of size, mobility, and skill has attracted attention from NBA scouts, particularly for his defensive versatility and offensive improvements. Fans in both China and the U.S. are anticipating his next steps in his basketball journey.