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NBA world completely stunned by Yang Hansen pick at No. 16: ‘What on earth is Portland doing?’
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- NBA world completely stunned by Yang Hansen pick at No. 16: ‘What on earth is Portland doing?’
Yang Hansen
The 2025 NBA Draft had its first real stunner just past the midway point of Wednesday's proceedings.
As part of a trade with the Grizzlies , the Trail Blazers landed Yang Hansen from China with the No. 16 pick, completely shocking most of the basketball world.
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Hansen was not seen by most draft experts as a first-round pick, so Portland using its spot to take the 7-foot-1 center surprised many.
CBS analyst Matt Norlander said he was stunned by the 19-year-old getting picked so high.
Yang Hansen handles the ball during the 2025 NBA Draft Combine on May 14, 2025 at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois. NBAE via Getty Images
Yang Hansen greets NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as the 16th pick by the Memphis Grizzlies in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
"If Egor Demin going to Brooklyn was 6.8 on the shocking scale out of 10, this registers around a 9.5 overall," Norlander said. "I can guarantee you people around the league are shaking their heads and texting each other right now going: 'What on earth is Portland doing?'"
Follow The Post's coverage of the 2025 NBA Draft
One NBA exec told ClutchPoints succinctly: "That is the wildest pick I've ever seen. Those jobs up there are on the line."
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ESPN's Shams Charania called the pick a "surprise."
Hansen was not listed in The Post's final first-round mock draft .
Yang Hansen looks on after being selected as the 16th pick by the Memphis Grizzlies in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
He's the first player from China to be taken in the NBA draft since Zhou Qi ( Rockets ) and Wang Zhelin (Grizzlies) were picked in 2016.
The 19-year-old has spent the last two seasons in the CBA, averaging 15.8 points, 10.7 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.4 blocks per game over 96 contests.
NBA.com's draft profile says Hansen does have star potential at center, but that he'll need to add muscle to make good on reaching those lofty heights.
Yang Hansen speaks to the media after being drafted 16th overall by the Memphis Grizzlies then traded to the Portland Trail Blazers during the 2025 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 25, 2025. Getty Images
While it remains to be seen how Hansen acclimates to the NBA, the Trail Blazers, at least for one night, left people scratching their heads.
