CHICAGO (AP) — Emerging from a lengthy session of questions posed in Mandarin, Yang Hansen revealed a playful side as he exited the venue, cheerfully waving goodbye. “Bye bye!” he said with a broad smile, a hint of his burgeoning English skills shining through.
At 7 feet 1 inch tall and weighing 253 pounds, Yang is a formidable center hailing from China, eager to showcase more than just language proficiency—he’s ready to display his basketball prowess as he participates in this year’s draft combine in Chicago.
As he approaches his 20th birthday on June 26—a day that coincides with the determination of the second-round picks in the upcoming NBA draft—Yang anticipates a celebration that could change his life. “He feels a lot of joy being here,” shared Chris Liu, Yang’s interpreter, reflecting his enthusiasm in an interview with The Associated Press. “He’s eager to compete and truly enjoys the experience.”
The shadow of Yao Ming looms large for any Chinese player stepping onto the basketball stage. Yang recognizes the inevitability of comparisons to the Hall of Famer, who remains a towering figure both literally and metaphorically in NBA history. However, Yang has no desire to mirror Yao’s legacy; instead, he aims to forge his own path. With impressive agility, a soft shooting touch, and solid passing skills, he’s ready to leave his mark, although, like most 19-year-olds aspiring to enter the league, he acknowledges areas requiring refinement.
“Yao Ming is my predecessor,” he mentioned through Liu. “I respect him greatly and hope to learn from his example.”
The journey toward the NBA comes with its challenges—language barriers included. Liu has been a consistent presence, assisting Yang during team huddles and scrimmages, translating coaches’ directions and player dialogues. However, once on the court, Yang quickly finds his stride alongside his peers.
This past season in the Chinese Basketball Association, Yang’s statistics spoke volumes: he averaged 16.6 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks per game, securing his place on the All-CBA first team. His experience in the NBA framework isn’t new; he participated in the California Classic summer league last year, serving as a prelude to the more prominent NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.
Training in Los Angeles recently, Yang has also developed camaraderie with Vladislav Goldin, another draft prospect and former center at Florida Atlantic and Michigan. The two faced off during scrimmages at the combine. “We’ve developed a good rapport,” Goldin noted. “It was an enriching experience.”
Chinese representation in the NBA has historically been sparse, with Cui Yongxi being the standout player this season. The shooting guard appeared in five games with the Brooklyn Nets before a knee injury sidelined him in the G League.
Despite recognizing the challenges ahead, Yang remains optimistic. “I will do my best,” he stated with unwavering confidence.
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