NBA information: Path Blazers rookie reveals dad's recommendation

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The Portland Trail Blazers acquired the draft rights to 7-foot-1 heart Yang Hansen out of China this summer season in a commerce with the Memphis Grizzlies, and he’s seeking to make an instantaneous affect.

Yang, 20, is comparatively unknown to fair-weather basketball followers. He’s been enjoying basketball in China since he was in elementary college and ultimately made his method to the Chinese language Basketball Affiliation (CBA), enjoying for the Qingdao Eagles.

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Yang Hansen, #16 of the Portland Path Blazers, poses for a portrait throughout the 2025 NBA Rookie Photograph Shoot at UNLV on July 16, 2025 in Las Vegas. (Harry How/Getty Photographs)

He was a CBA All-Star in 2024 and 2025 and named the 2024 Defensive Participant of the 12 months earlier than he was introduced up in NBA circles. He’s set to turn into a key a part of the Path Blazers beneath head coach Chauncey Billups.

Yang, whose father Yang Lin was a professional basketball participant, opened up about why he determined to play basketball in an interview with The Washington Post . He advised the paper that he was set to give up sports activities altogether on the age of 8 when he refused to follow outdoors within the warmth. His father urged him to work onerous at one thing that would assist him get into faculty. In keeping with the report, Yang tried a number of sprots earlier than he returned to basketball.

"I wasn’t that good in school, and I used to be just a little little bit of a fats boy," he advised The Washington Put up. "My father advised me to strive some sports activities, determine what you need to do and lose some weight. My father advised me: ‘Don’t turn into fats.’"

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Yang Hansen, proper, greets NBA Commissioner Adam Silver after being chosen because the sixteenth choose by the Memphis Grizzlies within the first spherical of the 2025 NBA Draft at Barclays Middle in Brookly, New York, on June 25, 2025. (Brad Penner-Imagn Photographs)

Yang is ready to turn into the ninth Chinese language NBA participant when he ultimately takes the ground for Portland. He'll comply with within the footsteps of the legendary Yao Ming and former star Yi Jianlian.

Cui Yongxi is the one different energetic Chinese language participant. He performed 5 video games for the Brooklyn Nets final season, however his yr was minimize brief when he tore his ACL in a G League sport.

Yang acknowledged the pressures that can come from being from China and enjoying within the NBA.

"It’s lots of strain, for certain," he advised the newspaper. "I simply need to present the individuals in China I’m doing good. Earlier than I headed to the States, Yao referred to as me and shared a few of his experiences. He advised me to get pleasure from your meals, get pleasure from your drinks, get pleasure from your sleep and luxuriate in every little thing.

Yang Hansen walks to the stage after being chosen because the sixteenth choose by the Memphis Grizzlies within the first spherical of the 2025 NBA Draft at Barclays Middle in Brooklyn, New York, on June 25, 2025. (Brad Penner-Imagn Photographs)

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"Yao is the icon for Chinese language basketball. He’s particular. I’m only a rookie. I can really feel lots of expectations and anticipation on me. Yao is primary in paradise. In comparison with him, I’m chilly ash in a pot."