Hansen Yang: The 7'2 Chinese Prospect Dividing NBA Scouts
Breaking Down the Hype and Hesitation Around Hansen Yang
Hansen Yang is one of the most polarizing prospects in the 2025 NBA Draft. While I firmly believe he is a top 40 prospect with the potential to impact the NBA, other scouts and NBA personnel question whether his game will translate to the league.
To provide a comprehensive perspective, I interviewed several scouts and former players to gather their thoughts on Yang’s strengths, weaknesses, and potential. This article is the first in a series where I’ll break down divisive prospects, sharing both my evaluations and the opinions of NBA insiders.
Through 10 games this season in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA), Yang has put up impressive numbers, averaging 16.3 points, 10.8 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 2.7 blocks per game while shooting 60% from the field and 36% from three (on limited attempts). His 64% free-throw percentage leaves room for improvement, but his overall production has turned heads.
As a rookie in the CBA last year, he averaged 15 points, 10.8 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 2.2 blocks per game—solid numbers for one of the youngest players in the league. His strong performances extends to international play as well, including a standout performance at the 2023 U19 World Cup, where he averaged 13 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, and 5 blocks per game. In one matchup, Yang overwhelmed Alex Sarr—now an NBA rookie lauded for his defense—with his combination of size, strength, and skill.
Yang’s offensive versatility has drawn comparisons to Nikola Jokić and Alperen Şengün. He boasts a deep repertoire of post moves, including up-and-unders, baby hooks, and shoulder fakes, coupled with exceptional touch around the rim.
Yang’s court vision and passing instincts might be his greatest strength, giving him the potential to become a reliable offensive hub.
Defensively, he has proven to be a dominant rim protector, leading both the U19 World Cup and the CBA in blocks. Yet, his ability to defend on the perimeter and adapt to the NBA’s pace raises concerns.
One consistent sentiment across the board, however, is that Yang has talent. Concerns stem from the level of competition in the CBA, and the mixed track record of Chinese players adjusting to the NBA outside of Yao Ming.
Despite the debate, Yang’s size, skill set, and production make him a fascinating player to evaluate.
Differing Opinions on Yang’s NBA Potential
Opinions on Yang’s potential are widely varied. A former NBA player currently playing in China, whose team has faced Yang, had high praise for his readiness to make the leap to the NBA:
I wish he would leave (China) now. He’s ready (for the NBA). But I think they want to keep him here in China. I just think China has taken him as far as he can go as a player. He’s skilled, he’s big, and he moves better than people think. But I believe his game can reach another level once he gets to the States.
Another former NBA player in China believes in Yang's offensive abilities and compared Yang’s defensive potential to that of Nikola Jokić, explaining:
Nikola Jokić—is he a good defender? I don’t think he’s a good defender. But I think that Yang can be as equally good of a defender as Jokić and block or alter more shots at the rim. He may not be as offensively gifted, but if Jokić can adjust to the NBA, then Yang can also play. The kid is really, really good.
However, not all evaluations were glowing. An NBA scout was less optimistic, saying:
He’s good, but I just don’t know if he has what it takes. I’ve heard some people compare him to Zach Edey, but I don’t think that’s a great comparison. I saw Edey when he was in high school, and I thought he had a good chance of being a solid NBA player even back then. I don’t get the same feeling with Yang. Edey has amazing hands and touch around the rim. Now, Yang has more post moves and craft, but I’m not buying him as a player that can stick in the league. He’s not as big as Edey, though, and I think he’ll have some of the same struggles Zach is having, but even more glaring.
The Summer League and Its Impact on Yang’s Stock
Another NBA scout added further perspective, pointing to Yang’s mixed performance during the 2024 NBA Summer League:
He showed flashes in Summer League, highlighting his tremendous offensive potential. I believe he had a good game against Charlotte where he got what he wanted on either block. But he did turn the ball over a lot. I do have my concerns. Would his defense be good enough to justify featuring him on offense?
A former NBA player who observed Yang in Las Vegas during the Summer League was impressed by his physicality and offensive versatility, stating:
He’s so physical now at a young age. He’s got a good balance of when to bully and when to finesse. I’ve seen him have his way with guys projected to be lottery picks, current lottery picks, and former lottery picks that have found their way to China. When he gets into the paint with two or more dribbles, he’s either going to score or get fouled.
Another NBA scout who closely watched Yang in Las Vegas questioned his skill level compared to his athletic limitations, noting:
I watched him play several times. Here’s my take: if you’re a big man who doesn’t have elite athleticism, you better be a skilled mother***** like Joker (Nikola Jokić). You need to be incredibly skilled to make up for that lack of athleticism. I'm not saying he's not skilled. I'm saying he better have an elite skill if he can't move. And while Yang does some things well—he makes good passes, for sure—I didn’t see the level of elite skill you’d expect from a below-the-rim finisher. He’s a good player, but I didn’t see the upside you’d want in a 7-footer at the next level who can’t move or jump. That’s just my view.
Can Yang Carve Out a Role in the NBA?
Another scout believed Yang could carve out a role in the NBA despite his defensive limitations, noting:
He's got the size, he's a really good passer, and he's incredibly skilled, especially around the basket. I think he can play a role similar to Zach Edey. If you look at Zach's games, he's not really scoring on post-ups. He's getting a lot of his baskets on dump-offs and as a play finisher. I think Hansen can do the same. He’s not going to play 25 to 30 minutes a game because teams will pick on him defensively. But he’s a player you can throw out there for a few minutes as a play finisher. And offensively, he’s got more counters and post moves than Edey. He just needs to prove he can handle NBA speed.
A veteran NBA scout echoed this sentiment while offering a note of caution:
I really hope he gets the opportunity to play in the NBA. He didn’t look great in Summer League, but I see the potential on offense. Summer League was just too fast for him. If he comes to the States, his game could grow even further. But from what I’ve heard, his team is controlling everything, and agents are struggling to gauge his interest in the NBA.
Final Thoughts
Hansen Yang’s potential to thrive in the NBA is a hotly debated topic among scouts and executives. While his size, offensive skill, and passing ability stand out, questions about his defense and adaptability to the speed of the NBA persist.
Regardless of where you stand, Yang remains one of the most intriguing and divisive prospects in the 2025 draft class.
This series will continue to explore other prospects who spark similar debates, offering a range of opinions from NBA scouts and insiders.