The ‘Chinese Jokic’? Why the Blazers shocked everyone with their No. 16 pick
The Chinese center was projected as a second-rounder but he ended up going 16th overall, a bold move by the Trail Blazers after a trade involving the pick used to select Cedric Coward.
Every NBA Draft brings surprises. Unexpected moves, head-scratching selections, players taken way earlier than projected, and others sliding far below their expected range. Each year, rivers of ink are spilled without anyone truly knowing what’s going to happen. That’s just how it is—predicting the future of young players still in the midst of their physical and technical development, and assessing how they’ll fit into a team both on and off the court, is a near-impossible task. The Draft remains one of the league’s defining calendar events because of that very uncertainty.
Most experts have now had their say on the 2025 Draft—who got it right, who gambled, which picks were no-brainers, and which left people scratching their heads. But only time will tell. Outside analysts often miss the mark just as much as those inside NBA front offices. And no front office sparked more head-shaking and second-guessing this year than the Portland Trail Blazers. With the 16th pick, notably just two spots out of the lottery, they selected Chinese center Yang Hansen.
“In NBA circles, there were a lot of puzzled headshakes and a lot of texts flying around asking, ‘What the hell are the Trail Blazers doing?’” reported CBS’s Matt Norlander. The consensus on Yang had been clear: intriguing upside, long way to go, likely a second-rounder. None of the top draft analysts had him in their top 30. But the Blazers not only grabbed him in the first round—they did so with a premium pick, No. 16 overall.
Blazers GM Joe Cronin made it clear he’s thrilled with the pick. Portland has tracked Hansen for years, even making regular trips to China to monitor his development up close. “He’s a uniquely talented player with an unlimited ceiling,” said Cronin. “His passing ability, basketball IQ, his vision from the post but also his face-up game... we think he’ll evolve well as a shooter, both from the line and from outside. Defensively, he’s smart, versatile, great size, and reads the game incredibly well in the post. We just saw in the playoffs what kind of teams succeed—those that are intelligent, that fit together, that elevate one another. That’s what Yang does. He’s a connector. And that’s exactly what we’re trying to build: a team that’s greater than the sum of its parts. He’s going to be a big part of that.”
The message is clear: the Blazers preferred to take a home-run swing with the 16th pick, even if it carries risk, rather than play it safe with a low-ceiling selection. Better to chase a potential star, however slim the odds, than settle for a dependable role player.
Yang Hansen goes to the Trail Blazers
Yang Hansen becomes the first Chinese player taken in the first round since Yi Jianlian in 2007. He’s already the third-highest Chinese draft pick ever, behind Yi (6th in 2007) and, of course, Yao Ming (1st overall in 2002), who remains the only No. 1 pick with no U.S. college basketball experience. Yang has no NCAA background either. He just turned 20, has debuted for China’s senior national team, and played last season with the Qingdao Eagles, averaging 16.6 points, 10.5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2.6 blocks per game while hitting 33.3% from deep. His strengths and weaknesses are well-documented: he’s 7′1″, has exceptional court vision, elite passing for a big man, and refined post moves. There’s clear potential to become a reliable shooter and stretch the floor. He understands the game on a deep level. But physically, he’s a work in progress—he’s slow laterally, lacks explosiveness, and doesn’t yet have the strength or frame to absorb NBA contact or bang with elite defenders. That physical gap is critical, and his future may hinge on how much he can improve in that area. Still, his playmaking and ability to elevate teammates has already earned him a predictable but flattering nickname: “the Chinese Jokic.”
The Blazers are trying to rebuild, and right now, they have a surplus of centers. Deandre Ayton and Robert Williams III remain on the roster, and the team just drafted Donovan Clingan at No. 7 last year (2024). It’s hard to imagine Clingan (7′2″) and Yang sharing the court consistently, but that’s a good problem to have. Plus, Portland gained draft capital in the deal that led to Yang. Originally holding the 11th pick, they traded down to 16 after a call from the Grizzlies. Along with the pick used to select Yang, the Blazers received a 2028 first-rounder (from the Magic) and two second-rounders.
Memphis grab Cedric Coward
Memphis moved up to 11 to grab their guy: Cedric Coward. And ironically, the Yang deal included one of the other major storylines of this draft. Coward, 21, is a swingman (shooting guard/small forward) who the Grizzlies hope can eventually replace Desmond Bane—and potentially form a promising young wing tandem with Jaylen Wells. Like Yang, Coward wasn’t supposed to be picked this high. Raised in Fresno, he didn’t crack his high school varsity team until his junior year—at a public school, not one of the elite private academies tailored for top prospects. His college debut came in NCAA Division III with tiny Willamette University in 2021–22. It just so happened that a coach from Eastern Washington was in the crowd during one of his games in Portland—and that chance encounter changed everything. Coward transferred to Eastern Washington, played two years there (2022–24), and finished his college career at Washington State (2024–25).
In an era when elite athletes are identified practically from childhood, Coward’s meteoric rise is unheard of. From benchwarmer in high school, to Division III, with zero AAU exposure, to a final-year leap to Washington State, where he only played six games due to a serious shoulder injury. But in those six games, he averaged 17.7 points and 7 rebounds, and began rising up draft boards. He finished as the 11th pick, with Memphis paying a steep price to get him. “Nobody would’ve guessed I’d end up here,” he said. His game? “If I play against you, I’m trying to kill you. I’m coming for your head. That’s it. When I step on that floor, it’s war. And wars aren’t won by making friends.”
Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all.
Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.