The center was considered by draft analysts as a rising prospect, but no one projected him to be a first-round pick.

Yang Hansen is going to fit into American culture just fine. The Trail Blazers' 7-foot-1 Chinese center was introduced to Portland on Friday, and was asked about his interests.

The Portland Trail Blazers gave fans one of the biggest surprises of the 2025 NBA Draft by selecting center Yang Hansen with the 16th overall pick via a trade with the Memphis Grizzlies. Hansen wasn't expected to go this high in the NBA Draft, as the 7-foot-2 center will join an upstart Trail Blazers team.