Despite the language barrier, Jan Hansen is ready to contribute to the Trail Blazers. After the first practice ahead of the NBA Summer League, Yang discussed what he wanted to do for his team.
Jan Hansen was undoubtedly the most surprising choice of the 2025 NBA Draft. The Blazers on the Portland Trail saw them as their long-term outlook, dating back to 2023, when he scouted him in China. Despite the logjam at the heart of the roster, they wanted Yang to play for Lip City.
He’s with his team, so he’s practicing for the NBA Summer League. He was also interviewed after his first practice with his translator. Yang was in his usual goodness when he spoke to the media.
Yang is a polarizing name in the NBA community, but he is excited about Blazers fans and his camp. Portland head coach Chauncey Billups is excited to see Yang in court despite language barriers.
With his 16th overall pick and his status as a “reach,” Yang has a lot to prove. That’s an additional motivation for him as he wants to solidify himself as a reliable player. During his first practice with the Blazers, he made sure to make his mark.
Some people consider him the Chinese version of Nikola Jokic, so it’s important to impress people. It’s an absurd comparison of making a 20-year-old. Yang, however, wants to play well enough to impress the Blazers fan base.
He doesn’t want to go overboard because he wants to play natural games. However, he wants to stamp himself as a versatile player who can defend himself and rebound. Donovan Klingan will become his teammate, so Yang needs to provide a similar level of influence.
“Now he’s a rookie. His main job is not to score. His main job is defense. You need to grab every rebound to make your team play better. You can use your playmaking skills to help your team play better.”
“It’s all about the team. If you make a great pass that day, you’ll go back and see the highlights of that game.”
With the Blazers’ NBA Summer League campaign approaching, Yang wants to perform at the highest level. He draws the attention of many people due to his size, high draft choices and skills.
Yang is already working hard behind the scenes and playing the best he can in the summer league. Despite all the pressure, Yang looks comfortable and ready to introduce himself.
He may not fully understand English, but he is ready to make the most of his abilities. His constantly improving English skills make Yang need to play comfortably in the NBA Summer League. As long as he plays the game, he has enough basketball IQ to stay on the court and thrive.
Summer league matches will also be a good preview of what will come in the 2025-26 regular season. Klingan will be the starting center, but Yang can get a few minutes, especially after the acquisition of DeAndreyton. With the summer league running, Yang can prove he belongs to the Blazers roster.