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Player Drafted out of Stands During NBA Draft Given Scary Nickname

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Kevin Borba | Last updated Jun 26, 2025 5:57 PM ET

In what was arguably the biggest surprise of the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft, the Portland Trail Blazers drafted a player sitting in the stands.

Portland selected Chinese center Yang Hansen, whose rights they acquired from the Memphis Grizzlies. ESPN's panel of analysts was shocked by the move, and Hansen was immediately tabbed as a reach, with ESPN's Jonathan Givony ranking him as the No. 35 prospect overall.

While Yang wasn't a commonly known name among fans, the 7-foot-2 product of the CBA turned heads at the NBA draft combine. It was there that he showcased his passing ability and defensive skills.

Although no one on the broadcast seemed quite ready to talk about Yang that early in the draft, insider Jake Fischer revealed that someone within the Denver Nuggets organization had an interesting nickname and comparison for him.

Fischer revealed that his source compared Yang to three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic.

"A Nuggets source just texted me: 'Chinese Jokic,' about the Blazers' surprise selection," wrote Fischer.

Whether or not it was said in jest is unknown, but there are some similarities in their playing styles, with the most glaring being big men who can distribute the ball.

Hansen Yang is one of my favorite prospects this draft cycle. At 7’1, 250 pounds and 20 y/o, Yang’s combination of size, passing and touch is one of the rarest archetypes in basketball.

Yangs processing as a passer is what I find most impressive, his ability to “pass players… pic.twitter.com/cqxVuI5UzR
— Quinn Fishburne (@QuinnFishburne) June 9, 2025

Portland general manager Joe Cronin raved about Yang after the draft, highlighting all that he brings to the table.

"High-end skillset. His ability to pass, his basketball IQ, his functionality in the post, his ability to step out. We think he'll be a good free-throw shooter and we think he'll be able to make perimeter jump shots as well," Cronin said. "Defensively, he's a really smart player that can be pretty versatile in the post with his size and IQ."

It will take time to truly know if this was a reach or a smashing success, but Portland certainly wasn't going to let Yang fall.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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