The Chinese center Yang Hansen was one of the last surprises of the last draft, chosen in a higher position than expected when he was selected in the 16th, recruited by the Memphis Grizzlies to be sent to the Portland Trail Blazers.
It is not an easy rookie season for the 2,16 and 20 year old, with a body still to be worked on like his English as reasons for his few minutes, but Hansen is leaving glimpses that prove why he has been baptized as “the Chinese Nikola Jokic.”
In the Blazers’ victory against Kevin Durant’s Rockets (103-102), the Asian center left an assist from midcourt that Jokic himself would sign despite his discreet game in general, with 3 points, 3 rebounds and 2 basket passes in 17 minutes.
Hansen is averaging 2.5 points, 2 rebounds and 1 assist in 8 minutes in 21 games played this season with Portland.
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Deni Avidja had a thrilling all-star duel with Durant with 41 points for the Israeli and 37 for the American, but the big news was the spark of talent from Yang Hansen. They see him as the new Yao Ming, but he aspires to be the Chinese version of Nikola Jokic.
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