Profile | Who is Chinese basketball player Yang Hansen, NBA draft’s surprise pick?
Shandong-born Yang made his name in Qingdao before being drafted by NBA team Portland Trail Blazers on eve of his 20th birthday
A Chinese basketball talent who can emulate the impact of Yao Ming, or a long shot who will not deliver? The Portland Trail Blazers will hope for the former.
Having made his name with Qingdao Eagles, the 7ft 2in (2.18 metres) centre Yang became only the ninth Chinese player to be drafted and only the third to go in the first round – picked by the Trail Blazers a day before his 20th birthday.
Who is Yang Hansen?
Yang was born in Shandong on June 26, 2005. His father, Yang Lin – himself reportedly a decent amateur basketball player – always took his son to play outdoors, something that a young Yang did not always appreciate. He eventually began to pick up basketball when he was at primary school and soon showed promise.
While at Zibo Sports School in Shandong, Yang was spotted by the Qingdao men’s team’s youth coach during an interschool competition. Qingdao signed Yang in 2021.
In June that year, playing in the National Under-17 League, Qingdao were crowned champions, with Yang named the best defensive player. Yang was assigned to Qingdao’s first team, before making the team in 2022.
In July 2022, Qingdao won the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) Summer League with Yang starring in the final.