After watching Yang Hansen play in China, former nine-year NBA veteran Boban Marjanović is excited to watch the 7-footer this season with the Portland Trail Blazers.
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.
Marjanović spent time with the Zhejiang Lions last season and had the chance to see Yang on the court. He believes his game can translate well to the NBA as a player who can work down low, handle the ball, space the floor and protect the paint.
“I was in China last half season and I watched him how he played,” Marjanović said on “NBA Today” this week. “This guy is amazing: How he moves, how he protects the ball, how he shoots.”
Yang is averaging 9.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.3 blocks and one assist on 33.3% shooting from 3-point range in three preseason appearances with the Trail Blazers. He recorded 16 points, four rebounds and three blocks on Oct. 10 in a win over the Sacramento Kings.
Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups commended the 20-year-old for the way he has asserted himself in training camp. The group can see his playmaking translating well to the NBA because of his array of skills on both ends of the court.
Yang is seemingly 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.”