Each day until the 2025 NBA Draft on June 25, Pippen Ain't Easy will profile one prospect who makes sense as a fit for the Bulls in either the first or second round. These players could fill a need, such as on-ball defense or rim protection, or could fit an archetype that Chicago lacks on its current roster, like an athletic big man or 3-and-D wing.
We'll kick off our series with one of the more divisive draft prospects in the 2025 cycle, China's Hansen Yang. The 7-foot-2, 19-year-old big man has seen a steep rise on most draft boards. Prior to the NBA Combine, Yang was relatively unknown, despite playing stateside in the NBA's California Classic Summer League only a year ago.
However, Yang's stock has considerably risen following an impressive NBA Draft Combine performance. First, Yang measured 7-feet-1 without shoes. Yang's standing reach measured 9-feet-3, and his wingspan was nearly 7-feet-3.
Aside from his imposing measurements, Yang excelled in the scrimmage portion of the combine. The 19-year-old fared well against some of the NCAA's most talented players. He scored 12 points, grabbed two rebounds, dished out two assists, and converted 5-of-7 field goals, including 1-of-3 three-pointers.
Hansen Yang's scouting report
Yang's combination of size and skill hints at unicorn-like potential. Although the term is overused in today's post-modern NBA, the "unicorn" skill set is very much coveted. The 7-foot-2 big averaged 16.2 points, 10.0 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 2.7 blocks for the Qingdao Eagles of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA). Yang didn't shoot it efficiently from three, only 28.6 percent, but he still attempted 56 triples. For reference, Victor Wembanyama only shot 27.2 percent from three-point range in France's LNB Pro A League before coming stateside.
Offense
Offensively, Yang more closely resembles the Nikola Jokić and Alperen Şengün archetype. He typically operates with his back to the basket. Yang's comfort level playing in the low-post was especially evident. He can score with both hands and offers a unique mix of old-school post moves from shakes and spins to up-and-unders and sweeping hooks.
Yang's 2.8 assists per game don't necessarily stand out. Nonetheless, he's a well-adept passer, from both the low post and the elbow. Yang notably had one of the most awe-inspiring passes during the combine. Yang's highlight-worthy assist didn't come from the post, but from the perimeter, where he whipped a wraparound bounce-pass through traffic using a terrific sense of anticipation.
The Jokić and Şengün comparisons arise when watching Yang sling the ball all over the court. He displayed a propensity for turnovers (3.1 per game), yet his willingness as a passer is advanced for his age. Furthermore, it's much easier to envision Yang's assist totals increasing in the NBA as opposed to the CBA, where his teammates tended to stand still whenever Yang held the ball.
Although low-post hubs are few and far between in the NBA, Yang's prowess in the always-prevalent pick-and-roll is translatable. At 7-foot-2, he's a massive target with soft hands. Upon the catch, Yang works well when driving to the rim. However, he does run into trouble in short-roll situations, scoring near and around the free-throw line. His passing is more advanced in the short-roll at this stage.
Yang's shooting, as evidenced by his inefficiency, is more theoretical at this stage in his development. His jumper isn't pretty, nor necessarily smooth, but the confidence is there. Even more concerning is Yang's 67.7 percent free-throw clip. There's certainly concern he'll never evolve into a threatening shooter.
Defense
Yang's defense was his calling card in the CBA. The 19-year-old won the CBA's Defensive Player of the Year award after averaging 8.5 defensive rebounds, 2.2 blocks, and 0.7 steals per game in 2023-24. Yang's massive frame and decent mobility made him an imposing deterrent in a league lacking physicality and elite athletes.
The Chinese big's lack of athleticism stood out on the perimeter and in pick-and-roll situations. He works well as a last line of defense and as a help defender, yet he's out of place on the perimeter. Guards routinely drove around the 7-foot-2 center.
Yang appears to be more lackadaisical than not on the defensive end, typically standing straight up, failing to get into an athletic stance. The lax positioning often led to guards easily maneuvering around Yang.
Although he's not a versatile defender, he appears comfortable in drop coverage and, as mentioned, as the last line of defense. When Yang can keep his opposition in front, he does well, routinely turning away shots and using his standout size to deter looks from around the rim.
Hansen Yang's fit with the Chicago Bulls
The 7-foot-2 big man went from off-the-radar to a potential first-rounder. Nonetheless, his likely landing spot is in the second round. Thus, he makes sense for the Bulls at 45. He could certainly go much higher as the draft nears, yet ESPN ranks Yang as its 67th-best prospect, while Yahoo Sports has Yang at 45, coincidentally comparing him to Nikola Vučević.
Yang, like Vučević, has an obvious fit on a Billy Donovan-coached squad. He'd operate as a high-post hub and pick-and-roll/pop partner for the Bulls' litany of guards. His shooting isn't where it needs to be, but he adds the same low-post scoring versatility as Vučević.
Where Yang would make his mark in Chicago is on the defensive end. The Bulls' lack of imposing shot-blockers was, and has been, glaring. 6-foot-10 rookie forward Matas Buzelis led the Bulls in blocks. Even in 15 minutes per game, Yang could finish second, or even first, in total blocks.
However, as a 19-year-old big, Yang will likely spend most of his first professional season in the G-League, getting acquainted with the NBA's speed and physicality. Skill is no issue for Yang, but his processing, effort level, and defensive versatility will be under a microscope.
For an in-depth, visual scouting report, be sure to check outFloor and Ceiling's detailed report on Yang. For more prospect profiles and all things draft-related, check out Pippen Ain't Easy'sChicago Bulls draft page, a new prospect will be added every day.