The biggest surprise of the 2025 NBA Draft, Chinese center Yang Hansen, selected 16th overall, is also the biggest mystery of this year’s class.
NBA fans around the world were stunned when Yang Hansen, a prospect who wasn’t projected anywhere near the first round in most mock drafts, was selected 16th overall by the Portland Trail Blazers.
2-pointers this season
Portland Trail Blazers
NBA
The Chinese center remains largely unknown to most basketball fans, but he just might be the next big thing to emerge from this year’s draft class.
Dominance in CBA
The 7'1" center, who turns exactly 20 years old on June 26th, has been playing in China, where he has been one of the most dominant forces in the entire league.
At just 18, he was named the CBA's Defensive Player of the Year in 2024, averaging 2.2 blocks per game, while also serving as a key offensive force, putting up 15 points, 10.8 rebounds, and an impressive 3.9 assists per game for a big man of his size and age.
In his pre-draft season with Qingdao in the Chinese CBA, he had an even better year, continuing his dominance with 16.6 points, 10.5 rebounds, 3 assists, 2.6 blocks, and 1 steal per game. He also improved his efficiency and expanded his range, shooting 33.3% from three on one attempt per game.
Elite size and skillset
With his 7'1", 250-pound frame and a 7′3″ wingspan, Hansen already has good size compared to other centers in the league. However, questions still linger about whether he’ll be able to adjust to the pace and physicality of the NBA.
What impressed NBA scouts the most about Yang Hansen is his intriguing skill set, as he showed flashes of elite footwork, passing, and playmaking.
Given his size and, despite his still-raw skill set, he might be an intriguing prospect for years to come, with some comparisons already linking him to Marc Gasol and Vlade Divac.
Why was he selected with the 16th pick?
The Portland Trail Blazers reportedly had their sights set on him before the draft and didn’t want to risk missing out on him later on.
According to Trail Blazers GM Joe Cronin, the franchise had been scouting Hansen for nearly two years.
“He was the target — but the question was how far back could we move and still get him?” Cronin said after the draft. “It worked out well for us; we were able to move back five spots and still get the guy we wanted.”
The Blazers now have three centers on their roster, with DeAndre Ayton and Donovan Clingan already clogging up the lane. For now, it seems that Hansen will have more chances to prove himself in the G-League, but with the right development, he could become one of the most intriguing players to come out of this draft class.
Like what we are doing? You can express your gratitude here.