The Portland Trail Blazers may have struck gold in the 2025 NBA Draft—not by playing it safe, but by trusting their scouting and betting big on an overlooked international talent. With just one pick in this year’s draft, Portland selected Chinese center Hansen Yang at No. 16 overall, a move that stunned analysts on draft night but is quickly proving to be one of the most inspired choices of the class.
Heading into the draft, most projections had Yang going late in the second round or potentially undrafted. He wasn’t invited to the green room, and his name didn’t feature prominently in the pre-draft conversation. But the Blazers, armed with a first-round pick via a prior deal with Memphis, weren’t interested in consensus—they were focused on potential.
While other teams leaned into guards and wings from traditional NCAA programs, Portland zagged where others zigged, using its lone pick on a towering, 7-foot-1 center with a rare combination of court vision, interior presence, and a budding perimeter game.
It didn’t take long for comparisons to emerge between Yang and Denver Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokic. Though it’s too early to draw any conclusions, Yang’s blend of post play, passing IQ, and offensive versatility bears a striking resemblance to the reigning MVP’s early skill set. Portland is clearly hoping Yang can evolve into a similar hub for offense, particularly as the league continues to trend toward bigs who can shoot, pass, and handle the ball.
Making noise in summer league
What seemed like a reach on draft night has quickly turned into one of the Summer League’s biggest storylines. Yang has impressed scouts and fans alike in Las Vegas, emerging as an early frontrunner for this year’s breakout rookie. His latest performance against the New Orleans Pelicans—15 points, four rebounds, two assists, and two blocks, including 3-of-6 from beyond the arc—only added fuel to the growing hype.
Yang’s ability to protect the rim while also spacing the floor has opened up Portland’s offensive flow in Summer League action. The strides he’s made in three-point shooting—once considered a major weakness—have made him look NBA-ready in ways few predicted.
Portland’s big picture
For a team that has spent the past few years stockpiling backcourt depth, adding a high-upside center like Yang could prove to be a turning point. Portland has lacked a long-term solution at the five since Jusuf Nurkić’s departure, and Yang’s development could reshape the team’s identity moving forward.
While it remains to be seen how quickly Yang can adapt to the full rigors of the NBA season, his early performances have already shifted the narrative. What once looked like a puzzling pick now feels like a potential draft-day steal—possibly even the biggest of 2025.
In a league where innovation often beats imitation, the Blazers may have just uncovered their next franchise cornerstone. And if Yang continues on this trajectory, Portland’s leap of faith might be remembered as the smartest move of this year’s draft.