(ECNS) -- Chinese player Yang Hansen made history on his birthday, becoming the Portland Trail Blazers' 16th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, marking a major milestone for Chinese basketball.
Asked a month earlier what it would mean to hear his name called on draft night, Yang said he would be "very happy and excited."
On Thursday, that moment arrived, making the milestone an unforgettable birthday gift.
During the pre-draft workouts, 2.16-meter-tall center impressed scouts with his ability to set screens, facilitate plays, and even shoot three-pointers. Yang officially declared for the draft two months ago and measured in at approximately 114.5 kilograms with a 2.20-meter wingspan.
Yang rose to prominence during the 2023 FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup, where his standout performances caught the attention of NBA scouts, even as Team China fell short overall. Over the past two years, at least six NBA teams, including the Atlanta Hawks, New Orleans Pelicans, and Indiana Pacers, sent scouts to evaluate him in China.
After joining Qingdao Guoxin Xiongying Basketball Club in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA), Yang delivered consistently strong performances. He was named to the All-CBA Chinese players First Team for two consecutive seasons, started in the CBA All-Star Game, and won the Rising Star of the Year award twice.
Before heading to the U.S., Yang expressed confidence about his chances: "I'll give it a shot. Who knows, maybe I'll make a name for myself."
(By Gong Weiwei)
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