Portland’s Risky Move for China’s Next Star

1. Introduction: A Draft-Day Curveball

On draft night, in a move that stunned fans and analysts, the Portland Trail Blazers selected Chinese center Yang Hansen with the No. 16 pick—after trading for the slot—despite many experts forecasting a late-second-round or undrafted fate pt.wallpapers.com+15talksport.com+15thesun.ie+15. His announcement from the stands triggered an instant buzz: comparisons to NBA MVP Nikola Jokić rose, spotlighting Hansen’s unique point-center talent talksport.com. (IPL BETTING)


2. Who Is Yang Hansen? The Rising CBA Star


3. Why the “Chinese Jokic” Tag?

NBA scouts and media drew parallels to Jokić for Hansen’s court vision, passing accuracy, rebounding, and motor youtube.com+5talksport.com+5en.wikipedia.org+5. One insider even described it as “the wildest pick” of the draft, rating it a 9.5/10 on shock scale nypost.com.


4. What This Means for the Trail Blazers


5. Fan & Media Reaction

Social media exploded: from disbelief (“What on earth is Portland doing?”) to excitement (“wildest pick ever!”) washingtonpost.comnypost.com+1nypost.com+1. Basketball circles are excited by potential, but cautious given the jump in competition between the CBA and NBA.


6. Looking Ahead: What to Watch

  • Development Path: Will Hansen head to the G‑League or receive NBA minutes?
  • Body & Game Strengthening: Needs added strength and toughness to thrive against league bigs.
  • Global Brand: If successful, Hansen could become a cultural bridge and commercial magnet in Asia.

✅ Conclusion

The Trail Blazers’ choice of Yang Hansen is a statement—not just about basketball skills, but about the NBA’s global reach. Labeling him the “Chinese Jokic” sets sky-high expectations. If he adapts and grows, Portland’s gamble could pay massive dividends—and potentially redefine international scouting metrics. (IPL BETTING)