In a moment that delivered the first major surprise of the 2025 NBA Draft, Chinese center Yang Hansen was selected with the 16th overall pick by the Memphis Grizzlies, who then promptly traded him to the Portland Trail Blazers. Yang, who turned 20 on Thursday, had been widely projected by analysts as a mid-to-late second-round pick, making his first-round selection an unexpected turn of events for many observers.
From the Stands to the First Round
Yang himself appeared to be caught off guard by the early call. He had not been invited to the NBA’s green room, a designated area for top prospects, and was instead seated in the stands with other attendees. This meant his draft cap did not fit correctly, a detail typically reserved for top prospects who have their head measurements taken beforehand.
Yang stated, via his interpreter, that while he had worked out with the Blazers a month prior and got along with management, “at the end of the day, this was beyond (my) wildest imagination.” He added that he had been expecting to be selected closer to the end of the first round, making the No. 16 pick “a big surprise.”
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Yang is now the first Chinese-born player to be drafted in the first round since Yi Jianlian in 2007, and only the third-highest draft pick ever from China, following Yao Ming, who was selected No. 1 overall in 2002.
China’s Latest NBA Hope
Yang played for the Qingdao Eagles in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) for the past two seasons. Last season, he averaged 16.6 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 3.0 assists, while also recording 2.6 blocks per game, with a 33.3% success rate from three-point range. His accolades include being a two-time CBA All-Star, and winning both Rookie and Defensive Player of the Year in 2024. He made his international debut for China in February 2024.
