The 2025 NBA Draft brought with it several surprises, bold decisions, and new beginnings for many young players stepping into the league. Among them was Chinese prospect Yang Hansen, who was selected with the 16th overall pick by the Memphis Grizzlies before being promptly traded to the Portland Trail Blazers. This move has set off conversations across basketball communities, both in the United States and internationally, especially in China, where Yang is already a known name. His selection and trade represent more than a team acquiring a player — it’s a story of potential, cultural crossover, strategic rebuilding, and the international growth of basketball.
Yang Hansen, who played for Qingdao in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA), entered the draft with a profile that had steadily gained traction over the past year. Standing 7 feet tall with a wingspan that commands the paint, Hansen’s game blends traditional big-man strengths with flashes of modern versatility. Known for his interior defense, solid footwork, and emerging mid-range jumper, Hansen had been on NBA radars since his standout performances in the FIBA U19 World Cup and later during the CBA regular season. At just 19 years old, his upside made him a compelling option for teams looking to build for the future.
The Memphis Grizzlies, who originally held the 16th pick, had an interesting draft night plan. With a strong backcourt led by Ja Morant and Desmond Bane, the team was expected to either pick for depth or package the pick in a trade for future assets or veteran help. When they selected Yang, it appeared to be a long-term investment, possibly for development overseas or within the G-League system. But within minutes, it became clear that Yang was never intended to wear a Grizzlies jersey. The pick was part of a trade agreement with the Portland Trail Blazers, a franchise deep into a rebuilding phase after moving on from Damian Lillard the previous year.
Portland’s acquisition of Yang Hansen speaks volumes about their commitment to rebuilding around youth and versatility. With young players like Scoot Henderson, Shaedon Sharpe, and Anfernee Simons already forming the core of their roster, adding a mobile, defensive-minded big man gives them a potential anchor in the paint for years to come. The Blazers have struggled with frontcourt consistency since Jusuf Nurkić’s decline and eventual departure. In Yang, they see a long-term solution — someone who can eventually guard elite centers, protect the rim, and perhaps stretch the floor as his shooting develops.
What makes Yang Hansen such an intriguing prospect isn’t just his size or numbers — it’s his basketball IQ and poise. Despite his youth, Hansen has shown a mature understanding of defensive positioning and pick-and-roll coverage. In the CBA, he averaged 9.6 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game in limited minutes, often matched against former NBA talent. Scouts have highlighted his ability to read the game, rotate effectively, and contribute as a help defender. While not yet an elite athlete by NBA standards, his mobility is improving, and his frame suggests he can add strength without sacrificing agility.
Portland’s front office appears to be taking a patient approach, understanding that international players often require a longer adjustment period. Whether Hansen joins the team immediately or spends another year overseas is still to be determined. However, early indications suggest the Blazers are eager to bring him into their system as soon as possible. Summer League participation is expected, and fans are already eager to see him in action, particularly given the scarcity of high-profile Chinese players in the NBA in recent years.
Yang Hansen’s draft and trade have also reignited basketball enthusiasm in China, a country with a long and passionate history of following the NBA. Since Yao Ming’s retirement, there has been a longing for a new Chinese star to emerge. While Zhou Qi and Yi Jianlian had brief NBA stints, neither found long-term success. Hansen offers a new kind of hope — a player who’s not only tall and skilled but also tactically aware and physically prepared for the grind of the NBA. The Chinese basketball community has embraced Hansen as a potential successor to Yao’s legacy, though comparisons at this stage are premature and unhelpful.
Still, the spotlight will be intense. Every minute Hansen plays will be dissected by millions of fans across the globe. The media attention and pressure are inevitable, but early reports suggest Hansen is focused, grounded, and surrounded by a solid support system. Fluent in English and accustomed to Western culture through international tournaments and training camps, he appears ready to handle the transition.
For Portland, this draft-day move is part of a broader plan. General Manager Joe Cronin has emphasized flexibility and development over short-term success, especially in the wake of their star exodus. The team’s cap space, draft capital, and young talent pool make it one of the more intriguing rebuilding projects in the league. If Hansen reaches even a portion of his potential, he could become a cornerstone player — a defensive anchor to balance the team’s offensively dynamic backcourt.
Moreover, Yang’s arrival could open up business opportunities for the franchise. The NBA’s global ambitions are well-documented, and China remains a crucial market. A Chinese player succeeding in the NBA would boost merchandise sales, international viewership, and team recognition across Asia. The Trail Blazers, a franchise not typically associated with international superstars, now find themselves with a unique marketing advantage.
Of course, the road ahead is filled with challenges. Hansen will need to adjust to the speed, physicality, and skill level of the NBA game. Defensive rotations are faster, opponents are stronger, and expectations are sky-high. His offense, while developing, remains limited. He’ll need to improve his shooting consistency, decision-making in short rolls, and passing under pressure. NBA coaching staffs are relentless, and while Hansen is coachable, the leap in competition level will test his adaptability.
But every young player enters the league with questions. What sets prospects apart is their willingness to learn, grow, and embrace adversity. So far, Yang has demonstrated all of these traits. His work ethic has been praised by former coaches, and his ability to bounce back from tough games in the CBA shows a mental toughness that bodes well for his NBA journey.
In many ways, Yang Hansen’s draft-day story encapsulates the future of the NBA — global, strategic, and developmental. A Chinese teenager getting selected by an American team and traded within minutes to another franchise looking to build something new might once have seemed unusual. Today, it’s a clear sign of how interconnected the world of basketball has become. The Trail Blazers took a calculated risk, one that may pay dividends not just in wins and losses, but in global reach and cultural impact.
As Summer League approaches and training camp looms, all eyes will be on how Hansen adjusts to life in the NBA. There will be growing pains, moments of doubt, and flashes of brilliance. For Portland fans, the hope is that Yang grows alongside their other young stars and becomes part of a resurgence that turns the team into a Western Conference force in the years to come.
Yang Hansen’s NBA journey is just beginning, and it starts not in Memphis, but in Portland — a city ready to embrace him, a team ready to invest in him, and a league that continues to expand its borders, one draft pick at a time.
