Chinese CBA star player Hansen Yang is widely expected to be selected in the late first round of the 2025 NBA draft, becoming another potential superstar following Zhou Qi and Ding Yanyuhang.
According to the latest reports, ESPN's final prediction places him at 35th, The Athletic at 36th, and NBA Draft Room even higher at 29th, with some analysts predicting he might even be picked in the early first round. As the center for Qingyuan Twin Stars, he stands at 7 feet 1 inch, with good passing vision and defensive instincts, earning him the nickname "Chinese Jokić".
In the betting world, Hansen Yang has also become a popular bet. Several platforms have opened odds for his entry into the first round: ESPN Bet and LegalSportsBetting both offer +115 (about 1.15 times). In the betting market for being selected in the corner positions, DraftKings lists him as a potential candidate for the 26–30 spots.
Expert reviews from RaptorsHQ praise him for his 7-foot stature and ball-handling big man skills, calling him a high-return second-round "hidden gem". The Reddit basketball draft community also praises his basketball IQ and organizational abilities, noting that if he can improve his footwork, he will be a "late first-round hot pick".
Ultimately, in the 2025 NBA Draft, Chinese player Hansen Yang was selected 16th overall in the first round. According to the current situation, he will play for the Portland Trail Blazers.
The 16th pick is the third highest for a Chinese player, following Yao Ming as the first overall pick in 2002 and Yi Jianlian as the 6th pick in 2007. Hansen Yang also becomes the eighth Chinese player to join the NBA, following Wang Zhizhi, Yao Ming, Bateer, Yi Jianlian, Sun Yue, Zhou Qi, and Choi Yong-suk, and the first player from Shandong to join the NBA.
