Trail Blazers' first-round pick might be most stunning selection of the 2025 NBA Draft

Per The Athletic's Jason Quick, Yang's translator said he worked out with the Trail Blazers in May and clicked with their front office, but "at the end of the day, it was beyond [my] wildest imagination."  

ESPN analyst Bob Myers, a former Golden State Warriors general manager, was also stunned. 

"I'm going to admit, I do not have the scouting report," Myers said after the Trail Blazers selected Yang. "I'm just going to put myself out there."

Many other experts probably couldn't find the scouting report for Yang, either. He wasn't one of the most highly touted prospects in the class. The Ringer ranked him as its No. 40 prospect on its final big board. 

"There's a clear idea of what Yang's aspiring to be. The skills needed to get there just haven't fully developed," The Ringer's J. Kyle Mann wrote in his scouting report for the 7-foot-1, 249-pound center. "All in all, he's a long-term bet, and one that'll require some time and patience." 

Yang — who turns 20 on Thursday — played two seasons for the Qingdao Eagles in the Chinese Basketball Association. The association has featured former NBA players nearing the end of their careers, including former New York Knicks guard Stephon Marbury and former Houston Rockets forward Tracy McGrady. 

In 45 games during the 2024-25 season, the big man averaged a career-high 16.6 points per game, 10.5 rebounds per game and three assists per game. 

While Yang may have some upside, the Blazers already have centers Deandre Ayton and Donovan Clingan. Adding another frontcourt piece makes little sense. 

The Trail Blazers better hope their stunning pick works out, or reaching on Yang may be considered one of the more baffling decisions of the draft.