Yang Hansen, a center from Qing Dado Center, caught many by surprise during the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft.
Even at 7-foot-1, Hansen seemed a bit taken aback when his name was announced as the 16th pick by the Grizzlies at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Videos on social media showed his delayed reaction to the moment.
He quickly got to his feet, raised his arms, and nervously adjusted his white suit jacket while making his way to the stage, where he greeted NBA commissioner Adam Silver.
As he walked to the stage, Hansen had a brief but joyful interaction with Rich Paul, whose agency represents various NBA stars. They shared a handshake and hug, both looking genuinely happy.
In a notable trade, Memphis exchanged the 16th pick for Portland’s 11th overall pick, along with a future first-round pick and a second-round selection.
Hansen had an impressive season in the Chinese Basketball Association, leading in blocks and ranking among the top ten in field goal percentage during 2024-25.
He was recognized as the CBA Rookie of the Year in 2024, made the All-Star Team in both 2024 and 2025, and earned the Defensive Player of the Year title in 2024.
NBA Insider Jake Fisher noted, via a post, that some referred to Hansen as “the Chinese Jokic,” making a comparison to Denver’s star center, Nikola Jokic.
Portland had shown a strong interest in Hansen since 2023, leading to their plan for his development in the U.S.
Follow the reports from the 2025 NBA Draft post
This pick has drawn mixed reactions from experts. One NBA executive described it as “the wildest pick I’ve ever seen,” suggesting it could have serious implications for jobs within the league.
