Rising Chinese center Yang Hansen won’t suit up for the national team at the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup. Instead, the promising rookie will head to Portland to join two specialized training camps with the Trail Blazers beginning August 11.
After finishing his NBA Summer League stint, Yang reported back to head coach Guo Shiqiang, sharing insights from the Draft Combine and Summer League. He requested permission from the Chinese Basketball Association to skip the Asia Cup, which runs August 5–17, in order to better integrate with Portland’s system and sharpen his skills in a rookie-focused development program.
The Chinese Basketball Association evaluated the scheduling conflict and, with long-term growth in mind, approved Yang’s plan, emphasizing that targeted training and on-court reps in the NBA environment will boost his readiness for the upcoming season.
On social media, Yang thanked the Association and the national team for their support. 'Every game and confrontation has been a valuable experience,' he wrote, adding that he’s determined to learn, grow, and bring his best to both the Trail Blazers and Chinese basketball.
As Yang embarks on this next chapter, fans across G20 nations will be watching closely. His journey highlights the growing bridge between international talent pipelines and the NBA, and underscores the global rise of young athletes making their mark on and off the court.
Reference(s):
Yang Hansen to skip FIBA Asia Cup, focus on development in Portland
cgtn.com
