Yang Hansen set to be the NBA's emerging worldwide sensation
Yang Hansen, the "Chinese Jokic," is turning heads in the NBA world after an impressive debut at the 2025 Summer League. The second-round pick for the Portland TrailBlazers has been making waves with his flashy passing, ability to stuff the stat sheet, and notable defensive skills.
Hansen's journey to the NBA began in his youth when his father gave him a pivotal piece of advice - to lose weight and avoid becoming "fat." This encouragement led Hansen, who was an overweight and directionless teenager, to start playing basketball seriously. He developed rapidly, growing into a 7-foot-1 center, and eventually made his way to the NBA after being drafted 16th overall by the Memphis Grizzlies and then traded to the Trail Blazers.
On the court, Hansen is being compared to Nikola Jokic due to his all-around game. Off the court, he has a lighthearted and congenial personality, reminiscent of Shaquille O'Neal. In a viral moment, Hansen even asked Jokic for a picture and autograph when they met on an NBA floor. Jokic expressed admiration for Hansen's talent.
Hansen's performance at the Summer League has garnered attention from media and executives in attendance. Tencent, the Chinese media giant, assigned more seats than ESPN, national newspapers, or the NBA itself at the Summer League. His media scrums were as large as any No. 1 overall pick's in recent memory. In China, Hansen is a superstar, with his Summer League debut attracting 5.4 million live viewers on Tencent, nearly five times as many as Flagg's debut on ESPN in the States.
As Hansen continues to make an impact in the NBA, many are wondering if he might become the league's next foreign phenomenon. With his impressive play and charming personality, it's clear that Yang Hansen is a player to watch.
References
- Yang Hansen's biography
- Qingdao Eagles roster
- 2025 NBA Draft results
- Portland Trail Blazers roster
- ESPN coverage of Yang Hansen
- Yang Hansen's flashy passing, ability to fill the stat sheet, and defensive skills are reminiscent of NBA stars, particularly Nikola Jokic, creating NBA highlights.
- The fans' excitement for the Chinese phenom, Yang Hansen, is evident in the massive media scrums and viewership numbers during his 2025 Summer League debut.
- In the competitive world of sports, Yang Hansen's performance in basketball has been a key highlight for the Portland Trail Blazers, contributing to their wins.
- Off-court, Yang Hansen, fondly known as the "Chinese Jokic," shares a lighthearted and congenial personality similar to Shaquille O'Neal, endearing him to fans.
- As Yang Hansen continues to make waves in the NBA, his name is being whispered as the league's next foreign phenomenon, solidifying his status as a basketball player to watch in the NBA.
