Yang Hansen makes NBA draft history in first-round picks, goes to Portland Trail Blazers

Yang Hansen, who turned 20 on Thursday, made history as the third Chinese player ever drafted in the first round when the Portland Trail Blazers surprised many by selecting the 7-foot-2 center at No. 16 overall.

Originally projected as a second-round pick, Hansen’s stock surged after an impressive showing at the NBA draft combine - where his flashy passing drew comparisons to three-time MVP Nikola Jokic - and through individual workouts with 11 teams.

He debuted in China’s CBA in 2023 with the Qingdao Eagles, earning All-Star honors in each of his first two seasons. Portland cemented their bold choice by trading their No. 11 and No. 16 picks with the Memphis Grizzlies to secure Hansen’s draft rights.


ALSO READ - NBA Draft 2025: Complete List of first-round picks

"The Blazers had scouts scouting me in China the last couple years," Yang said.

"I also had a pre-workout with them last month. Everything went very well and I got along with all the front-office people.

"But at the end of the day, this is sort of beyond my wildest imagination."

ALSO READ: Flagg, Harper, Edgecombe headline NBA Draft first-round picks

Before Hansen, the only Chinese first-round picks were Yao Ming - taken No. 1 overall in 2002 - and Yi Jianlian, who went sixth overall in 2007.


Though not initially pegged as a first-rounder, Hansen found himself rising from the stands - clad in a crisp white suit - to shake NBA commissioner Adam Silver’s hand.

Seated just beyond the draft’s opening picks, he sensed a shift in attention after the 15th selection, noticing extra camera lenses trained on him.

"I thought something was about to happen," Yang recalled.

Despite pre-draft projections slotting him in the late first round, he remained confident he’d hear his name called.

"I expected to go toward the end of Round One," he said. "Being selected in the middle was a huge surprise - and an incredible honor."