UPDATE: In a significant moment for the NBA, Yang Hansen, the 7-foot-1 rookie from China, made his first official start for the Portland Trail Blazers against the Memphis Grizzlies on November 19, 2023. This urgent development comes as the Trail Blazers faced a roster shortage, with primary centers Donovan Clingan and Robert Williams III sidelined due to injury and illness.
The Grizzlies took advantage of the situation, building a substantial lead in the first half and ultimately defeating Portland 119-96. Yang, who was selected 16th overall in last summer’s draft, entered the game with modest averages of 2.5 points and 1.5 rebounds per game. His highest output prior to this game was a season-best nine points against the Phoenix Suns on November 18.
In his debut, Yang struggled initially but showed signs of promise, finishing the game with four points on 2-of-5 shooting and five rebounds in just over 19 minutes of play. A highlight included a dramatic dunk over fellow giant Zach Edey, who stands at 7-foot-3.
“His beginning wasn’t great, but he finished the game better,” said Tiago Splitter, the Trail Blazers’ interim coach. “It was a great lesson for him to have this experience, to go there and play against a big guy similar to his size and strength. Great lesson for him to get better and work on his game.”
The game took a tense turn when Yang took a hard hit in the third quarter, lying on the floor while play continued. This led to a dunk by Edey on the other end, prompting Splitter to rush onto the court, visibly upset about the lack of attention to Yang’s condition. He was assessed a technical foul for his outburst. “That’s why I was furious,” Splitter explained. “I don’t understand. Players on the floor, you always take time to check if he’s alright.”
Yang’s journey to the NBA includes two seasons with the Qingdao Eagles in China’s professional league, where he averaged an impressive 16.2 points and 10 rebounds in his final season. Originally drafted by the Grizzlies before a trade sent him to Portland, this debut marks a pivotal moment in his professional career.
As the Trail Blazers look to recover from this setback, all eyes will be on Yang Hansen to see how he develops moving forward. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how he builds on this experience and contributes to the team in future games.
Stay tuned for the latest updates on Yang’s progress and the Trail Blazers as they navigate the season ahead.
