We’re finally seeing another Asian in the NBA, but it wasn’t someone people expected it to be. A lot of comparisons and discussions are taking place online, but why was China’s Yang Hansen quickly drafted to the NBA and why Philippines’ Kai Sotto went undrafted and is still struggling to put his name on the pedestal?
Yang Hansen Has China on His Back
China has produced some incredible basketball talents in recent memory, most notably Yao Ming and Yi Jianlian. However, it’s been a long time since a Chinese national was drafted to the NBA, that is until Portland took Yang Hansen.
Basketball is such a huge sport in China, that they invest a lot for their prospects to reach the biggest league in the world. Not only does their government put their best effort in promoting their homegrown talents, but the Chinese Basketball Association also plays a huge part in taking their young players to the next level. Although they haven’t found success in FIBA and in the Olympics in the past decade, Yang Hansen is the true evidence that they could create NBA-level prospects without the intervention of western modernization.
Although you could say that the Philippines has massive support towards Kai Sotto just as China has on Yang, the business side of it is very different. The Philippines may have prioritized basketball every other sport, but the Chinese government have poured unfathomable amounts on their athlete development, basketball or not.
Portland Already Had Eyes on Hansen Two Years Ago
Back in 2023, Portland was stuck between the idea of trying to create a good enough team for Damian Lillard or just completely restarting a rebuilding process. Fast forward, and the latter did happen. With Trailblazers GM Joe Cronin left with a couple of young guards after trading Lillard, there’s no other way but to start from scratch again.
At the time, they were looking at prospects, both from the USA and internationally. One of those were the then 18-year-old center, Yang Hansen. Right there and then, Portland already had eyes on the Chinese prospect, all because of his versatility, high ceiling, scoring touch, towering height, and of course, his defense.
At 7-foot-1, Hansen isn’t your usual “just tall” center. He’s a crafty player with a high basketball IQ, which is evident due to his elite passing skills. At his height, it’s rare to see that kind of trait, which got him the nickname “Chinese Jokic” after drawing comparisons to the 3-time NBA MVP. Aside from passing, Hansen seems like he can do it all—score, screen, and defend the rim.
In 2024, with impressive averages of 16.6 points, 10.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 2.6 blocks with the Qingdao Eagles, Yang Hansen managed to win the CBA Rookie of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year, the first player to achieve this exceptional feat. That is why Cronin saw him as a very unique talent and eventually took him 16th overall in the 2025 NBA draft.
Some fans say that Sotto was far superior in terms of talent, especially in how he performed in the 2024 FIBA World Cup tournament. However, Yang’s impact was more than what meets the eye. He was incredible in the CBA and was just as efficient in international games, although his numbers weren’t as eye boggling as Sotto’s.
Management Issues
Probably the biggest thing that held back Kai Sotto was how he was mishandled during his peak of trying to get drafted in 2022. Before Wasserman, Sotto was managed by Joel Bell. Unfortunately, it was all but a mess, especially for Kai. Bell failed to land the big man a spot in the league, often declining offers to play in the Summer League, or even denying accepting two-way or 10-day contracts.
On the other hand, Hansen is under Rich Paul’s Klutch Sports, who also happens to managed LeBron James, Anthony Davis, De’Aaron Fox, Draymond Green, and Darius Garland. That alone already makes him part of an elite company. Moreover, it was Paul who reportedly pushed him to be drafted. Although Yang Hansen was projected to be picked in the second round or maybe even undrafted, Rich Paul surprised everyone after successfully landing him to a team as the 16th overall pick.
