Rookie Yang Hansen Looks Like the Steal of the NBA Draft

Is Yang Hansen the Steal of the NBA Draft?

Every NBA Draft has its fair share of surprises, and Yang Hansen is quickly making a case as this year’s biggest one.

The 7-foot rookie didn’t generate major buzz before draft night, but he’s flipped the script with an impressive Summer League debut. Originally selected by the Memphis Grizzlies and then shipped to the Portland Trail Blazers in the trade involving Cedric Coward, Hansen is proving that draft-night trades can quietly create major winners.

From China to the NBA: A Ready-Made Pro

Hansen’s path to the NBA is different from most. The 20-year-old spent two full seasons in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA), logging 96 professional games before ever stepping on an NBA court. There, he averaged 15.8 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 3.5 assists, production that hints at a mature and well-rounded game.

So far in Las Vegas Summer League, he’s made that experience count. In just 76 minutes of action, Hansen has tallied:

• 35 points
• 12 rebounds
• 10 assists
• 6 blocks
• 2 steals

Fans and scouts are already drawing lofty comparisons. Hansen’s vision, feel for the game, and unselfish style have shades of Nikola Jokic. He moves with a similar rhythm, thrives in short-roll playmaking, and clearly models his passing game after the three-time MVP.

“He’s not just big, he’s smart, skilled, and plays with poise,” one scout noted. “There’s something special here.”

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Proceed with Caution, But Stay Excited

Of course, Summer League standouts don’t always translate to regular-season success. History is full of Las Vegas heroes who faded once the lights got brighter. But Hansen’s case feels different. He’s not a raw rookie, he’s already a seasoned pro with a skill set tailored for today’s NBA.

For the Portland Trail Blazers, a team still shaping its post-Dame identity, Hansen could become a valuable rotation piece right away. If his game continues to evolve, Portland might have landed a franchise-altering talent without even trying.

It’s early, but all signs point to Hansen being a legitimate steal of the 2025 NBA Draft. He’s already turning heads, and now he’s got everyone’s attention.

Whether he lives up to the Jokic-lite comparisons or not, one thing’s clear: Yang Hansen belongs.

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