Yang, rookie from China, earns first NBA start

By Canadian Press on December 7, 2025.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Yang Hansen, the 7-foot-1 rookie out of China, made his first NBA start in a game Sunday against the Memphis Grizzlies.

Hansen, picked 16th overall in last summer’s draft, moved into the starting lineup after the Trail Blazers primary centers — Donovan Clingan and Robert Williams III — missed the game. Williams was a late scratch due to an illness and Clingan missed his second straight with a left lower-leg contusion.

Yang entered the game averaging 2.5 points a game and 1.5 rebounds. He had a season-high nine points in a 127-110 home loss to Phoenix on Nov. 18.

Yang, originally selected by the Grizzlies before a draft night trade, played his two previous seasons with Qingdao Eagles of China’s to professional league. During his final season with Qingdao before entering the NBA draft, Yang averaged 16.2 points and 10 rebounds.

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Clay Bailey, The Associated Press