There was a powerful response to the Portland Path Blazers’ determination to pick Yang Hansen with the sixteenth total choose of the 2025 NBA Draft. Yang was projected by many to be chosen within the second spherical, across the 40s vary, however the Blazers shocked the world by choosing him round 30 alternatives sooner than almost everybody had him coming off the board.
The Chinese language worldwide has proven some promising really feel for the sport, and it is the playmaking potential for his measurement (7’2″, 249 lbs.) that has made him fairly the tantalizing prospect for the Blazers to focus on. He additionally stuffed the stat sheet in his two seasons within the Chinese language Basketball Affiliation, averaging 15.8 factors, 10.7 rebounds, and three.5 assists regardless of not having turned 20 since June 26.
And now, Yang is exhibiting some unimaginable promise in his first foray stateside. The most recent Blazers middle confirmed off his passing chops in his 2025 NBA Summer season League debut in Las Vegas, dropping 10 factors, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists — together with some spectacular dimes to Blazers cutters.
The Blazers have excessive hopes for Yang, as they might not have drafted him that early in the event that they did not. And there might very nicely be a bit of one thing to the comparisons the 20-year-old Chinese language middle bought to three-time MVP Nikola Jokic.
On the very least, the Blazers can provide Yang a while to develop, as he’ll be behind Donovan Clingan and Robert Williams III within the depth chart. Whereas Hansen did present his impeccable really feel for the sport, he wants a while to acclimate to the velocity of the NBA sport.
He fouled six instances in simply 23 minutes within the Blazers’ dominant 106-73 win over the Golden State Warriors on Summer season League Friday, and it is clear that Yang has some work to do in the case of sharpening his work on the defensive finish.
Blazers imagine of their middle core
It speaks volumes to the Blazers entrance workplace’s perception of their younger middle core that they determined to chop Deandre Ayton free and let him go for nothing. This paves the way in which for certainly one of Clingan and Yang to grab the beginning reins because the crew seems to be to return to playoff competition.
Heading into the season, Clingan seems to be the unquestioned starter on the place. The Blazers shall be seeking to put collectively among the best defenses within the league subsequent season, so Yang, who’s extra of a challenge, will undoubtedly be a sluggish burn play.