Yang Hansen hit the court for the first time this week with the Portland Trail Blazers, and the 7-footer earned a glowing review from coach Chauncey Billups of his early showing.

Yang was an All-Star in each of the past two seasons with the Qingdao Eagles in the CBA, the top professional league in China. He averaged 16.6 points, 10.5 rebounds, three assists and 2.6 blocks in 32.8 minutes per game across 45 appearances last season.

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The 16th pick was highly sought after by the organization for his overall skill set and ability as a player who can work down low, space the floor and protect the paint. Billups saw those traits, along with some other aspects of his game, after the first day of practice.

He did a good job. He worked really hard. I thought, offensively, he set some pretty good screens, some playmaking abilities out there. But the game is moving really fast, and I’m quite sure he is not used to the speed of our game yet. His feel is really high. His IQ is really high, so he doesn’t look out of sorts, if you will. Defensively, he had a big-time block, which I’m on him about, his rim protection, and being in the right position. Because, with his size, he should be able to get there and make plays, and he is going to be really, really good at it.

Yang carefully studied several players growing up, including Nikola Jokić. It is fitting because, at this stage of his career, Yang plays similarly to Jokić, from his court vision and nifty passes to his ability to shoot and finish inside the paint.

The 20-year-old is picking up things quickly on and off the court. His English is improving at a rapid pace and he is understanding how the Trail Blazers want to play, with Billups even jokingly adding that, “basketball is a universal language.”

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Yang has also made a significant impression on his teammates, with Jrue Holiday and Damian Lillard among those who are intrigued by his potential. Center Donovan Clingan is also a fan and has enjoyed their early battles in the frontcourt.

“His footwork is elite, his finishing,” Clingan said. “He is getting better and better every day at talking on defense and the ball-screen game. It is fun to play out there with him.”

This article originally appeared on Rookie Wire: Trail Blazers: Chauncey Billups shares observations of Yang Hansen