As ever, the NBA draft has thrown up a shock.
On a night when Cooper Flagg went No.1 overall to the Dallas Mavericks, the Portland Trail Blazers selected Chinese center Yang Hansen with the No. 16 pick after acquiring him from the Memphis Grizzlies.
6
Yang Hansen early selection surprised everyoneCredit: GETTY
It was a stunning rise for a player who was projected to be a late second-round pick.
It was so surprising, in fact, that he wasn’t even invited to the draft green room by the NBA.
Instead, he was seated in the stands with fans, and his hat didn’t fit him properly as his head wasn’t measured, something that is usually reserved for only the top prospects.
Hansen’s arrival to the Blazers was also shocking considering that Portland already has several centers on its roster.
This includes No. 1 overall pick Deandre Ayton, last year’s No. 7 pick Donovan Clingan, and veteran Robert Williams III.
Hansen is the first Chinese-born player to be drafted in the first round since Yi Jianlian in 2007 and is the third-highest ever draft pick from China.
Eight-time NBA All-Star Yao Ming was selected No.1 in 2002.
Fans online were quick to react to the unexpected trade, with Hansen’s 7-foot-1 frame drawing immediate NBA comparisons.
NBA reporter Jake Fischer posted this soon after Hansen was drafted.
“A Nuggets source just texted me: ‘Chinese Jokic,’ about the Blazers’ surprise selection.”
‘Chinese Jokic’ quickly started doing the rounds on social media, with fans in awe at highlights of Hansen’s dominance in the paint.
Fans were stunned at the prospect of an even bigger Nikola Jokic — the three-time MVP who’s widely regarded as the best player in the NBA.
“Trade market sleeping on Yang Hansen. Kid led China in blocks while shooting 58% from the field against grown men,” another fan wrote.
“There will be a new star on the sports field in the future,” one fan posted.
“The league is done,” joked another.
6
The Chinese international wasn’t well spoken about ahead the draftCredit: GETTY
6
He was expected to be a second-round pick but the Blazers went for him at No.16Credit: X@SportsCenter
6
He was sat in the crowd with fans instead of on the front row or in the green roomCredit: X@SportsCenter
6
One Nuggets source reportedly called him the ‘Chinese Jokic’Credit: X@HoopMixOnly
Hansen himself was left shocked by his selection so early in the draft.
He said, via his interpreter, “At the end of the day, this was beyond (my) wildest imagination.”
His basketball resume includes his two seasons for the Qingdao Eagles in the Chinese Basketball Association.
He averaged 15.8 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 3.5 assists along with 2.6 blocks.
Hansen’s accolades include being a two-time CBA All-Star, along with being the Rookie and Defensive Player of the Year in 2024.
6
Yang Hansenw was selected by the Portland Trail BlazersCredit: GETTY
Following the draft, Blazers general manager Joe Cronin was candid about what went into the selection.
“He was the target — but the question was how far back could we move and still get him?” Cronin said.
“It worked out well for us, we were able to move back five spots and still get the guy we wanted.
“We care about our fans — we want them to be excited about next season and the big picture.
It happened so fast! Cooper Flagg discusses his journey to the NBA
“I think in times like this where we make what some are calling a questionable move, that they’ll be patient with what we’re trying to achieve.”
The Blazers have a productive young star on the books, but the pick serves as a gamble, and they’ll be desperate for it to pay off.