Hansen Yang is a Chinese center prospect in the 2025 NBA Draft. He played for the Qingdao Eagles of the Chinese Basketball Association. He is being compared to Yao Ming, the Hall of Fame center who was the first Chinese player to make a significant impact in the NBA.
Standing at 7’2″, Yang has drawn comparisons due to his size and potential, but also faces scrutiny given the mixed success of other Chinese players in the NBA outside of Ming. A number of players have used the combine to boost their stocks, and Yang is one of them.
What Are the Similarities Between Hansen Yang and Yao Ming?
Both Yang and Ming are exceptionally tall, with Yang standing at 7’2″ and Ming at 7’6″, giving them both a significant advantage on the court. They are both able to dominate the post and impact the game in multiple ways.
Footage of Hansen Yang from the Klutch pro day, building on a highly productive week at the NBA Draft Combine. 7’2, 19-year old Chinese big man with gigantic hands has transformed his body in the past year and has legit skill and touch inside and out. pic.twitter.com/EdRrvkQSMZ
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) May 21, 2025
Both Yang and Ming have success in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA), showcasing their talent and athleticism before heading to the NBA.
Yang is considered the best Chinese prospect since Ming retired. The fact that they both play the center position also means that comparisons will come up a lot, and while the 19-year-old Yang has massive potentials, he’s still a very long way from being put in the same breath as Ming.
Ming was the overall number one pick by the Houston Rockets in the 2002 NBA Draft, and he spent nine years in the league, making eight All-Star appearances as a starter. His number 11 jersey has since been retired by the Rockets. Ming scored 9,247 points in his NBA career, averaging 19.0 ppg, recorded 4,494 rebounds (9.2 PG) and 920 blocks (1.9pg).
Yang has started his basketball career promisingly, as he was named CBA All-Star in 2024 and 2025. He averaged 16.6 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks per game in the Chinese Basketball Association. Yang is projected to be an early second round pick in this year’s draft.
KEEP READING: 2-Round 2025 NBA Mock Draft Features Groundbreaking Trade, Surprising Fall for Certain Blue Devil
His second round projection is a result of certain commas like his conditioning and foot speed, but his passing abilities for a man of his size are something exciting. He could very well earn first-round attention if teams are willing to bank on him as a potential passing hub with scoring and defensive upside.
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in college football, men’s college basketball, women’s college basketball, and college baseball!
