Chinese basketball star Yang Hansen turned 20 on Thursday, but the best birthday gift he could ask for arrived a day earlier: putting on the NBA draft cap after being picked in the first round.

Trail Blazers explain Yang Hansen pick: Why Portland chose 'Chinese Jokić' in NBA Draft's biggest shocker Yang was considered a second-round selection by most, but went No. 16 in the NBA Draft ...

LAS VEGAS — There’s nowhere to hide for Yang Hansen, a 7-foot-1 center who last month became the first Chinese player selected in the first round of the NBA draft in nearly 20 years. Not five ...

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Yang Hansen may be the first Chinese basketball player drafted in the first round in 18 years, but off the court, he’s just like us. “I sleep, all the time sleep ...

Qingdado center Yang Hansen reacts to being taken in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn on June 25, 2025. X/NickVanExit Memphis traded its 16th overall pick ...

Yang became the first Chinese player drafted in nearly 10 years and only the fourth to move straight from the CBA to the NBA. He now joins a short list that includes legends like Yao Ming and Yi ...

— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) June 27, 2025 Though not many can relate to being 7'1" or an NBA first-round pick, Hansen's interests outside of basketball were very relatable to many fans.

Chinese basketball star Yang Hansen turned 20 on Thursday, but the best birthday gift he could ask for arrived a day earlier: putting on the NBA draft cap after being picked in the first round.

The “Chinese Nikola Jokic” became the first player from his country selected at the NBA draft in nearly a decade, following the 2016 picks of Wang Zhelin and Zhou Qi (the former never actually ...

The “Chinese Nikola Jokic” became the first player from his country selected at the NBA draft in nearly a decade, following the 2016 picks of Wang Zhelin and Zhou Qi (the former never actually ...