Yang Hansen Talks 'Shock' of Being Drafted, Plans to 'Treasure Every Minute' in NBA

One of the surprises at the 2025 NBA draft was the Portland Trail Blazers selecting Chinese Yang Hansen at No. 16 overall, a player many considered a fringe first-round prospect at best.

Just how surprising was the pick? Not even Hansen himself saw it coming.

"For sure it was a big shock for me," he told ESPN's Malika Andrews on Wednesday through an interpreter (3:32 mark). "When Adam Silver called my name, it surprised me. I was just sitting there finishing my fried chicken. I didn't even put my suit on. Suddenly they told me, 'Hansen, Hansen, put your suit on.'"

That selection already looks like a potential stroke of genius, however. Hansen has been one of the Summer League darlings to this point, putting up 15 points, three rebounds and two assists during Tuesday's 93-87 win over the New Orleans Pelicans.

Whether Hansen makes an immediate impact with Portland remains to be seen. The team already has Donovan Clingan and Robert Williams III at center, and Hansen isn't getting ahead of himself when it comes to expectations.

"To be honest, I can't say anything big," he said when asked about his goals. "If [head coach Chauncey Billups] uses me in the game, I will treasure every minute I have. I just try to do my job well, I focus on my own game. For the long term, I just want to become a versatile player. Try to help my team as much as I can."