Yang Hansen probably wouldn’t like the title of this story.
By all accounts, the 20-year-old phenom from Zibo in the Shandong province of China is as humble as generational talents come.
Yang Hansen in the Spotlight
Surrounded by three dozen reporters this weekend, Yang said through his translator, “I think I’m not popular. I’m just nobody from China.”
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When asked what he’ll say to Nikola Jokic when the two meet, Yang Hansen said, “Picture? Signature, please?”
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Yang has exuded the energy of a normal 20-year-old at every turn. Everyone’s seen the quote where Yang says he likes to “eat, sleep, [and] play PS5” in his free time.
He followed that up on Saturday by saying his first Summer League off-day between games would feature “Good sleep, good food, but no PS5.”
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His teammate Caleb Love shared that Yang’s favorite American song is “What the Helly,” a song which skyrocketed in popularity on TikTok. Love found that amusing.
No matter how hard Yang tries to be normal, however, he will never be that. By taking one look at the attention the media gives Yang, it’s easy to see how much of a star he already is.
Other than maybe Cooper Flagg, no single player is receiving more spotlight this Summer League than Yang Hansen. He was the first Chinese-born player to be selected in the first round of the NBA draft in nearly 20 years. He has the hopes of the largest nation in the world on his shoulders.
More Than a Media Darling
Yang’s chances of becoming an NBA star go beyond just his loyal fans in China. He’s been referred to by scouts and now fans as the “Chinese Jokic,” which is an unfair comparison to put on anyone, but after two Summer League games, the reasoning for why is apparent.
Yang has legitimate craft and coordination for a player of his size. His passing prowess has been on full display in his first two outings. Fans have a plethora of creative dimes to ogle at in his highlight packages.
It’s also clear when you watch him play that Yang has an innate feel for the game. Every basketball fan has seen countless attempts, whether it be in college or the NBA, of teams trying to force a seven-plus-foot player into a lineup when it clearly isn’t meant to be (go look into the University of Washington’s Riley Sorn for a great example of this). That isn’t what Yang is.
Yang is patient. He sets innovative screens and re-screens. He is captaining the offense from the top of the arc in his second language. There have been a handful of instances where Yang has made plays that are too advanced for his Summer League teammates to keep up with.
More than just feel, though, Yang appears to be ready for the physicality of the NBA. He said his first Summer League practice was much more “civilized” than his Chinese Basketball Association ones. He’s been seeking out contact at every possible opportunity so far, and based on how his Blazer teammates and coaches talk about him, he likely won’t slow down any time soon.
What Yang has already done is give an explanation as to why Joe Cronin and the Blazers’ front office were so abnormally high on the Chinese prospect. They’ve been enthralled with the talents of the Chinese big man for two years. Now, everyone else gets to join in on the fun.
Yang Hansen’s Future
Yang Hansen still has a way to go in many areas before the league considers him a polished product. His perimeter defense is almost non-existent. He lacks a jumper, something every great player in today’s NBA needs at least a hint of. He’s not properly conditioned yet and needs to get stronger.
Those weaknesses, however, are things Yang can learn through training and repetition. What the Blazers’ training staff cannot teach is toughness, grit, a strong work ethic, and basketball IQ. Yang Hansen has all of those things and is already putting them on display.
No one is truly expecting Yang to be Jokic, but if he comes anywhere close to his ceiling of outcomes, the whole of Portland and China will be ready to herald his greatness to levels that only a few stars this century have seen.
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