Yang blazes trail to NBA

Surprise as China's "Baby Jokic "drafted early in first round

His face lit up, eyes wide open, and the whole country went as wild as Yang Hansen did. Soaked in huge disbelief and excitement, it was a historic night for not only the young center's budding career, but also the future of Chinese basketball.

Unexpected, yet making total sense, Yang was drafted into the NBA in the first round at the 2025 NBA Draft on Wednesday night in Brooklyn, New York. The Portland Trail Blazers, using a trade from Memphis, selected the Qingdao Eagles star with the 16th pick overall, leaving the nation celebrating an NBA Draft pick for the first time in nine years.

It caught the entire Chinese hoops community off guard when the Trail Blazers staked their claim on the talented youngster much earlier than his projected second-round slot.