The NBA Summer League is typically a proving ground for rookies and fringe players, but this year, it’s become a full-blown international spectacle thanks to Yang Hansen, the Portland Trail Blazers’ 7-foot-2 rookie center from China.
His debut in Las Vegas hasn’t just turned heads in the U.S., it’s ignited a media and viewership boom in China that’s eclipsing even the NBA playoffs.
When the Trail Blazers faced the Memphis Grizzlies in Summer League action, 5.2 million viewers in China tuned in to watch the free Tencent broadcast. That’s nearly five times the American audience that watched No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg’s debut on ESPN. On Tencent’s paid platform, another of Yang’s games drew 3.4 million viewers, a staggering 16x increase over the usual average. Even China Central Television (CCTV), the country’s national broadcaster, reported higher average viewership for Yang’s Summer League games than for its NBA playoff broadcasts.
This isn’t just a spike, it’s a seismic shift in global basketball attention.
Yang’s rise has prompted a full-scale media invasion in Las Vegas. More than a dozen Chinese reporters have descended on the Summer League, alongside a Tencent documentary crew producing a 10-part series chronicling his journey. The series will follow Yang’s transition from CBA stardom to NBA rookie life, offering fans an intimate look at his training, cultural adaptation, and early career milestones.
Dubbed the “Chinese Jokic” for his elite passing and feel for the game, Yang has averaged 10.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 2.3 blocks per game in Summer League. His debut featured dimes, rim protection, and a calm court presence that belied his age and draft position. Originally projected as a second-round pick, Yang was selected 16th overall by Portland, making him the first Chinese player drafted in the first round in nearly two decades.
The pick was met with skepticism, but Yang’s performance has flipped the narrative. Fans in China have embraced him as a national icon, with many already planning trips to Portland for the regular season.
Yang’s popularity transcends basketball. His story, starting as a self-described “fat boy” who took up sports to lose weight at his father’s urging, has resonated deeply with fans. His commitment to learning English and adapting to American culture has further endeared him to audiences both at home and abroad.
In a country where basketball is already one of the most-watched sports, Yang’s emergence feels like a cultural moment.
Yang will enter the season behind Donovan Clingan and Robert Williams III on the depth chart, but Portland views him as a long-term project with star potential.
