Hansen Yang: Towering Paint Presence
Claiming both Rookie of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year honors in the same season. The big question posed is, will it translate to the NBA?
Yang had one of the best rookie seasons the CBA has ever seen, which translated over to this season, displaying great post footwork, rebounding skills, and rim protection. His touch around the basket and advanced sense of timing in pick-and-roll settings made him an offensive force, while his 2.7 blocks per game helped anchor one of the league's best defenses. He's accomplished everything he can at that level; now it's time to see how he compares to the greatest in the world. Let's look at his whole profile.
Basic Stats (2024-2025): 33.1 MPG, 16.6 PPG, 3.1 APG, 10.9 RPG, 1.0 SPG, 2.7 BPG, 3.1 T/O, 58.2% FG%
Pros:
Elite Interior Presence & Post Scoring:
At 7’1”, Yang’s sheer size and length give him a natural advantage in the paint, allowing him to establish deep position and finish over smaller defenders with ease.
His elite footwork makes him an advanced post scorer, using drop steps, pivots, and a reliable hook shot to create high-percentage looks. His ability to navigate through defenders makes him tough to stop one-on-one.(73% PPP rank in the post)
In 2024 he was the CBA Rookie of The Year
Dominant Pick-and-Roll & Rebounding Ability:(10.9 RPG)
Yang’s mobility makes him a dangerous pick-and-roll threat, his ability to roll efficiently and time his cuts forces defenders into tough decisions, often leading to easy scoring opportunities.
Despite his size, he moves fluidly off the ball, which allows him to slip past defenders unnoticed for open layups and dunks. This makes him a valuable weapon in half-court sets.
His rebounding dominance is a game-changer, as his strong base and instincts enable him to secure possessions on both ends.
Shot-Blocking Force: (2.7 BPG)
Yang’s ability to protect the rim is elite—his 7’1” frame and wingspan make him a constant shot-blocking presence, deterring opponents from attacking the basket.
His defensive impact goes beyond blocks; even when he doesn’t swat a shot, his length forces opponents into awkward, off-balance attempts.
His ability to recover quickly means he doesn’t give up on plays, often rotating in time to contest shots even if initially beaten.
In 2024 he was the CBA Defensive player of the year
Cons:
Limited Offensive Versatility:(Catch and Shoot PPP rank is 22%, Below Average)
Yang’s lack of a reliable jump shot limits his ability to stretch the floor, making it easier for defenders to sag off him and help on other players. If he could develop even a mid-range shot, it would drastically open up his offensive game.
Adding more versatility to his offensive skill set would make him more than just a traditional big, increasing his value in a modern NBA offense.
Lateral Quickness & Perimeter Defense Concerns:
While he moves well for his size, he still lacks the lateral speed to consistently switch onto quicker guards in pick-and-roll situations. Elite ball-handlers can exploit this weakness and create easy scoring opportunities.
In today’s NBA, where big men are often required to defend in space, his ability to improve his lateral quickness will be crucial to his long-term defensive success.
Strength & Physicality at the NBA Level:
Although dominant in the CBA, Yang will face much stronger and more physical opponents in the NBA. Without added muscle, he may struggle to hold his position in the post against elite centers.
NBA bigs will test his physicality on both ends, if he cannot absorb contact and finish through stronger defenders, his offensive impact could be reduced.
Level of Competition & NBA Readiness:
The CBA is improving, but it is still not on the same level as the NCAA or EuroLeague in terms of physicality and competition. While Yang has dominated at his current level, it remains to be seen how he will adjust to the NBA’s increased speed and athleticism.
His long-term success will depend on how quickly he can adapt to the physical and mental demands of the NBA game. If he can make the transition smoothly, his size and skill set could make him a highly impactful player.
Final Take: Yang is a traditional big who has a very high upside. He is a force in the paint offensively and defensively, using his 7’1” height and massive wingspan to his advantage. His footwork and ability to get to the rim in post up situations is already elite but he can still improve more. He is a shot blocking menace, leading the CBA currently in blocks; it is truly a tough task trying to score on Yang. Once Yang develops a shot he can bring a whole new level to his game, which will also open up opportunities for his teammates as well. The comp he is playing isn’t bad, but isn’t the best either, so seeing how he translates to the NBA competition will be solely based on if he can gain muscle and bring physicality.
Draft Projection: 2nd round, potentially can go undrafted
Player Comp: Rudy Gobert: Elite size, rebounding, rim protection