There was a strong reaction to the Portland Trail Blazers' decision to select Yang Hansen with the 16th overall pick of the 2025 NBA Draft. Yang was projected by many to be selected in the second round, around the 40s range, but the Blazers shocked the world by selecting him around 30 selections earlier than nearly everyone had him coming off the board.

The Chinese international has shown some promising feel for the game, and it's the playmaking ability for his size (7'2″, 249 lbs.) that has made him quite the tantalizing prospect for the Blazers to target. He also stuffed the stat sheet in his two seasons in the Chinese Basketball Association, averaging 15.8 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 3.5 assists despite not having turned 20 since June 26.

And now, Yang is showing some incredible promise in his first foray stateside. The newest Blazers center showed off his passing chops in his 2025 NBA Summer League debut in Las Vegas, dropping 10 points, four rebounds, and five assists — including some impressive dimes to Blazers cutters.

The Blazers have high hopes for Yang, as they would not have drafted him that early if they didn't. And there may very well be a little something to the comparisons the 20-year-old Chinese center got to three-time MVP Nikola Jokic.

At the very least, the Blazers can give Yang some time to develop, as he'll be behind Donovan Clingan and Robert Williams III in the depth chart. While Hansen did show his impeccable feel for the game, he needs some time to acclimate to the speed of the NBA game.

Article Continues Below

He fouled six times in just 23 minutes in the Blazers' dominant 106-73 win over the Golden State Warriors on Summer League Friday, and it's clear that Yang has some work to do when it comes to polishing his work on the defensive end.

Blazers believe in their center core

Portland Trail Blazers center Donovan Clingan (23) handles the ball against Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr (10) during the first quarter at Toyota Center
Erik Williams-Imagn Images

It speaks volumes to the Blazers front office's belief in their young center core that they decided to cut Deandre Ayton loose and let him go for nothing. This paves the way for one of Clingan and Yang to seize the starting reins as the team looks to return to playoff contention.

Heading into the season, Clingan appears to be the unquestioned starter at the position. The Blazers will be looking to put together one of the best defenses in the league next season, so Yang, who's more of a project, will undoubtedly be a slow burn play.

More Trail Blazers News
Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade (3) shoots over Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) during the second quarter at the Moda Center.
Dwyane Wade gets 100% real about Damian Lillard’s Trail Blazers returnRichard Pereira ·
Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) gathers himself after a play in the second half against the Milwaukee Bucks at Moda Center.
NBA-watching world reacts to Damian Lillard’s Blazers returnAlex House ·
Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard (0) looks on in the first quarter during game four against the Indiana Pacers of first round for the 2024 NBA Playoffs at Fiserv Forum. Lillard left the game early in the in the first quarter with an injury.
Why Damian Lillard is allowed to have no-trade clause in contractLorenzo J Reyna ·
Milwaukee Bucks point guard Damian Lillard (0) walks through the tunnel before the game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center.
Damian Lillard returning to Blazers on $42 million contractMalik Brown ·
Yang Hansen walks to the stage after being selected as the 16th pick by the Memphis Grizzlies in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft at Barclays Center.
Trail Blazers’ Yang Hansen makes 4-word declaration before rookie seasonRexwell Villas ·
General view of the Moda Center exterior prior to the second round of the 2015 NCAA Basketball Championship.
Adam Silver issues new arena ‘challenge’ to new Blazers ownersEvan Dammarell ·