On Wednesday, 7-foot-1 center Hansen Yang declared for the 2025 NBA Draft, per ESPN draft expert Jonathan Givony.
A 19-year-old prospect playing for the Chinese Basketball Association’s (CBA) Qingdao Eagles, Yang is currently averaging 16.3 points, 10.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 2.7 blocks per game in 2024-25. He signed with Klutch Sports in January.
Chinese Klutch Client Hansen Yang Declares For 2025 NBA Draft
Yang possesses a vast array of skills for a big man. An inside-outside scorer with playmaking and defensive upside, he’s a medium- or high-reward prospect. Because of his potential, there’s really little risk to picking him up late in the draft.
NEWS: Qingdao’s Hansen Yang has declared for the NBA Draft, Klutch Sports Group told ESPN. The 7’1, 19-year old is averaging 16.3 points, 10.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists and a league-leading 2.7 blocks per game in the Chinese CBA. pic.twitter.com/T3QUodHDSl
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) April 16, 2025
Interestingly, Tankathon’s automated mock draft has Yang being selected in the second round. Conversely, ESPN’s most recent mock —organized by Givony and Jeremy Woo —sees him going undrafted. With that being said, Klutch is notorious for attempting to steer lesser-known for prospects to certain teams in an effort to get them in the right environment for their growth.
In the 2024 NBA Draft, this may have been seen in two different instances:
First, Klutch founder Rich Paul helped make sure that Bronny James would get drafted (55th overall) by the Los Angeles Lakers. Then, Cameroon native Ulrich Chomche was able to get drafted (57th overall). He now plays for the Toronto Raptors, who have had an affinity for African players under president Masai Ujiri. In the 2023 NBA Draft, Paul played puppeteer for Akron native Chris Livingston, who was drafted (58th overall) by the Bucks.
Potential Draft Destinations
In the 2025 NBA Draft, Yang could be targeted by multiple teams and for myriad reasons.
For example, the Brooklyn Nets are owned by Joe Tsai, who has vowed to help Chinese basketball prospects. The Nets only have one second-round pick in the upcoming draft (36th overall), but there’s often a lot of movement in that round.
Paul’s relationship with the Lakers —spurred by his relationship with LeBron James—and their frontcourt needs could lead Yang out West. Interestingly, L.A. has the 55th overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. That’s not just where James’s eldest son was drafted in 2024, but the pick Tankathon predicts will be used on Yang.
Though James left the Cleveland Cavaliers, Paul has two clients playing for his home state team, including star Darius Garland. The Cavs have two second-round selections in the impending draft (48th overall, 58th overall). One of them could be used to shore up their center depth.
Paul also has two clients that play for the Utah Jazz, Collin Sexton and Jordan Clarkson. By all accounts, both Sexton and Clarkson love Salt Lake City. They’ve also developed well with the Jazz organization. Last but not least, Utah has emphasized the use of their centers under Will Hardy. Thus, Yang could be targeted with the 52nd overall pick.
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