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Many didn’t have Qingdado center Yang Hansen being taken in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft.
Even the 7-foot-1 center appeared taken aback when his name was called as the No. 16 pick by the Grizzlies — before being traded to the Trail Blazers — at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn on Wednesday night.
Hansen, who was projected to go in the middle of the second round, was sitting in the stands and appeared to have a delayed reaction when his moment came, as seen in a video on social media.
He quickly stood up and raised his arm before he shuffled with his white suit jacket, attempting to button it before greeting NBA Commissioner Adam Silver on the stage.
Hansen shared a moment with Klutch Sports founder Rich Paul — whose agency reps the prospect and other NBA stars such as LeBron James and Draymond Green — while on his way to the stage.
The pair was all smiles as they shared a handshake and a hug.
Memphis traded its 16th overall pick to Portland in exchange for the No. 11 overall pick (Cedric Coward), and the Blazers also received a 2028 first-round selection and two future second-round picks.
Hansen led the Chinese Basketball Association in blocks and ranked in the top 10 in field goal percentage during the 2024-25 season.
He won the CBA rookie of the year in 2024, and was named All-CBA Domestic First Team and made the CBA All-Star team in both 2024 and 2025.
Hansen earned CBA Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2024.
NBA insider Jake Fischer wrote on X, “A Nuggets source just texted me: ‘Chinese Jokic,’ about the Blazers’ surprise selection,” referring to three-time NBA MVP and Denver center Nikola Jokic.
The Blazers were intentional about their interest in Hansen.
Portland became “intrigued” by Hansen’s game in 2023, specifically while he played for China during the FIBA U19 World Cup, according to ESPN, which reported the Blazers plan to begin Hansen’s development “immediately” by bringing him to the United States.
Follow The Post’s coverage of the 2025 NBA Draft
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The pick caught many pundits by surprise, with one NBA executive telling Clutch Points: “That is the wildest pick I’ve ever seen. Those jobs up there are on the line.”
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