He is also only the third Chinese player ever picked in the first round, following Yao Ming (No. 1 overall in 2002) and Yi Jianlian (No. 6 in 2007).
Yang, 20, stands 2.18 meters tall and currently plays for the Qingdao Eagles in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA). This past season, he averaged 16.6 points, 10.5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal per game. With 2.6 blocks per game, he led the league in shot-blocking and was named CBA’s Rising Star of the Year, a CBA All-Star Game starter, and a member of the All-CBA First Team for domestic players.
Born in Zibo, Shandong Province, Yang has drawn comparisons to Nikola Jokić for his passing vision and playmaking ability. Scouts praised his basketball IQ during the NBA Draft Combine, though his mobility and defensive skills were noted as areas for improvement.
It’s worth noting that the Trail Blazers were the first NBA team Yang worked out with in the U.S.
The last time Chinese players were drafted into the NBA was in 2016, when Zhou Qi (43rd overall) and Wang Zhelin (57th overall) were both selected in the second round. With his first-round selection, Yang now faces the challenge of living up to the legacy of pioneers like Yao Ming.
