Yang Hansen Bio
Yang Hansen is a Chinese professional basketball player who serves as a center for the Portland Trail Blazers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Selected 16th overall in the 2025 NBA Draft by the Memphis Grizzlies before his draft rights were traded to the Trail Blazers, Yang became the ninth Chinese player ever drafted to the NBA and the third-highest overall draft pick from China in league history. He currently plays for the Rip City Remix of the NBA G League on assignment from the Trail Blazers.
Early Life and Background
Yang Hansen was born on June 26, 2005, in Zibo, Shandong Province, China. He began playing basketball during his childhood and joined a local club for training in the third grade of elementary school. He later attended Zibo Sports School to further develop his skills. Around 2020, at the invitation of the Qingdao Guoxin Haitian Club, he entered the club’s youth training system to continue his basketball development.
After graduating from Zibo Sports School, Yang enrolled at Zibo No.11 High School and participated in the China High School Basketball League. During the 2020-21 season, he helped lead his team to the national tournament, though they were ultimately defeated in the final by Tsinghua University High School.
Path to Professional Basketball
Yang continued his rapid development in the youth ranks. In 2021, the Qingdao Guoxin Haitian Youth Team defeated Tsinghua High School in the finals to win the China Youth Basketball League championship in the U-17 age group. Yang earned the Best Defensive Player award for his standout performance. The following year, he returned to lead the team to another U-17 national championship and was named the tournament Most Valuable Player, cementing his status as one of China’s top basketball prospects.
Yang Hansen Career
Early Career (2023)
Yang Hansen was promoted to the Qingdao Eagles first team for the 2023-24 Chinese Basketball Association season, marking his transition to professional basketball. On October 23, 2023, he made his professional debut in the first round of the regular season against Beijing Enterprises. During his All-Star selections, Yang was chosen as a starting player for the North Division Team, reflecting his immediate impact at the professional level.
Qingdao Eagles Breakthrough (2023–2025)
Yang’s rookie CBA season proved exceptional. Despite NBA scouts visiting the Qingdao training facility multiple times to observe him, he chose to withdraw from the 2024 NBA Draft to continue his development. He finished his first professional season averaging 16.6 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 3 assists per game. His dominant two-way play earned him both CBA Rookie of the Year and CBA Defensive Player of the Year honors.
Yang returned for the 2024-25 season and earned another CBA All-Star selection while being named to the All-CBA Domestic First Team. His consistent performances throughout his two CBA seasons established him as one of China’s premier big men and positioned him for his NBA future.
NBA Draft and Portland Trail Blazers (2025–Present)
On June 25, 2025, Yang Hansen was selected 16th overall by the Memphis Grizzlies in the 2025 NBA Draft. His draft rights were subsequently traded to the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for the draft rights of Cedric Coward. Yang became the ninth Chinese player ever drafted to the NBA, the highest Chinese draft selection since Yi Jianlian went sixth overall in 2007, and the third-highest draft pick from China in league history.
Yang was assigned to the Rip City Remix, the Trail Blazers’ NBA G League affiliate, before being recalled to the main roster. On January 26, 2026, he was announced as a participant in the Rising Stars game during NBA All-Star Weekend alongside teammate Donovan Clingan, showcasing the league’s recognition of his potential.
Playing Style and Strengths
Yang Hansen has established himself as a versatile center capable of affecting games on both ends of the floor. His 7-foot-1 frame combined with his basketball instincts makes him particularly effective as a rim protector and rebounder. Offensively, he displays soft hands around the basket and the ability to finish plays near the rim. His court vision and passing ability for his size add another dimension to his game.
Notable Events and Milestones
Yang’s career highlights include his remarkable international performance at the 2023 FIBA Under-19 Basketball World Cup, where he averaged 12.6 points, 10.4 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 5 blocks per game. He finished as the tournament’s leading blocker, third in rebounds, and fourth in assists, earning a spot on the All-Second Team. In February 2024, he made his senior national team debut in the 2025 FIBA Asian Cup qualifiers against Mongolia.
Yang Hansen Career Highlights
Yang Hansen has accumulated significant accolades across his young career. His professional achievements include multiple CBA awards across the 2024 and 2025 seasons, complemented by his youth-level accomplishments in the China Youth Basketball League.
CBA Highlights
Yang earned CBA Rookie of the Year honors in both 2024 and 2025, becoming one of the few players to win the award in consecutive seasons. He was named CBA Defensive Player of the Year in 2024 after his impressive shot-blocking and rebounding numbers. His two CBA All-Star selections and two All-CBA Domestic First Team honors further underscore his consistent excellence at the professional level in China.
Youth and International Highlights
Prior to his professional career, Yang dominated at the youth level, winning CYBL U-17 Championship titles in both 2021 and 2022. He earned CYBL U-17 Tournament Most Valuable Player honors in 2022 and was named the CYBL U-17 Tournament Best Defensive Player in 2021. His international debut with China’s senior national team came in February 2024 during the 2025 FIBA Asian Cup qualifiers.
| Competition | Achievement | Year |
|---|---|---|
| CBA | Rookie of the Year | 2024, 2025 |
| CBA | Defensive Player of the Year | 2024 |
| CBA All-Star | Selection | 2024, 2025 |
| All-CBA Domestic First Team | Selection | 2024, 2025 |
Yang Hansen Family
Family Background
Yang Hansen was born to Yang Lin and Zhu Jing in Zibo, Shandong, China. His father, Yang Lin, works as an electrician and enjoys playing amateur basketball in his spare time. His mother, Zhu Jing, works as an accountant. Yang comes from a family with an appreciation for the sport, which helped foster his early interest in basketball.
Personal Life
Outside of basketball, Yang Hansen enjoys several hobbies during his leisure time. He has shared that he likes to sleep, eat, and play video games on his PlayStation 5. As a young professional athlete, he continues to balance his rapid ascent in professional basketball with his personal interests and family connections.
2025 Season Performance
Yang Hansen’s 2025 season marked his transition from Chinese basketball’s top league to the NBA. After an outstanding two-year career with the Qingdao Eagles that saw him earn multiple CBA honors and accolades, he entered the 2025 NBA Draft as one of the most anticipated international prospects. His selection as the 16th overall pick represented the culmination of years of development from youth basketball through the CBA. The Portland Trail Blazers acquired his draft rights and assigned him to their G League affiliate to continue his adjustment to professional basketball in the United States.
Yang’s rookie season with the Trail Blazers organization demonstrated the team’s patience in developing his game. His assignment to and subsequent recall from the Rip City Remix showed a developmental approach. His selection to the Rising Stars game provided early exposure to the NBA’s All-Star Weekend festivities, highlighting the league’s recognition of his potential. As he continues his rookie season, Yang works to refine his post moves, improve his conditioning for the NBA game, and expand his offensive repertoire while building chemistry with his new teammates and coaches.