{"id":142080,"date":"2025-05-27T07:30:45","date_gmt":"2025-05-27T11:30:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=142080"},"modified":"2025-05-27T00:16:37","modified_gmt":"2025-05-27T04:16:37","slug":"2025-nba-draft-lakers-hansen-yang","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/05\/27\/2025-nba-draft-lakers-hansen-yang\/","title":{"rendered":"2025 NBA Draft: Could Lakers Take a Chance on CBA DPOY?"},"content":{"rendered":"

With the 2025 NBA Draft less than a month away, it\u2019s time for the Lakers to hone in on their list of prospects. Currently holding the 55th pick, there are many directions Rob Pelinka and co. could take when filling a roster headlined by <\/span>LeBron James<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>Luka Doncic<\/span><\/a>. One name that has caught fans\u2019 attention is <\/span>Hansen Yang<\/span><\/a>, a 7\u20191\u201d Chinese center who has racked up accolades in the CBA and drawn comparisons to prominent NBA bigs.<\/span><\/p>\n

2025 NBA Draft: Could Lakers Take a Chance on CBA DPOY?<\/b><\/h2>\n

Background<\/b><\/h3>\n

Yang, a 19-year-old big man, has spent the last two seasons with the Qingdao Eagles of the Chinese Basketball Association,claiming <\/span>Defensive Player of the Year<\/span><\/a> honors in 2024. That season, he averaged 15 points, 10.8 rebounds (8.5 defensive), 3.9 assists and 2.2 blocks per game. He built off of that impressive campaign this year, putting up 16.6 points (58.6% FG), 10.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.6 blocks. Adding to the pre-draft buzz, Yang <\/span>signed with Klutch Sports in January<\/span><\/a> before <\/span>throwing his hat in the ring in April<\/span><\/a>. He turned heads at this year\u2019s <\/span>combine<\/span><\/a>, posting <\/span>11 points, six rebounds and six assists<\/span><\/a> in a scrimmage.<\/span><\/p>\n

The 7\u20191\u201d, 250-pound center has a smooth offensive game, able to finish in the post with an array of moves while occasionally stretching the floor. He has also stood out with his passing, making <\/span>pinpoint reads to cutting teammates<\/span><\/a> from the perimeter and paint. Yang has even drawn <\/span>early comparisons<\/span><\/a> to <\/span>Nikola Jokic<\/span><\/a> because of that <\/span>strong court vision<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\ud83c\udfa5: Hansen Yang | The Chinese Jokic?<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s why Hansen Yang gets those Jokic, Sengun Comps-<\/p>\n

He\u2019s got innate feel & vision for a Big Man.<\/p>\n

(He doesn\u2019t have generational vision like Jokic, but man can he sling the ball.)<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udd17: Full Scouting Report-https:\/\/t.co\/ZCepGFbyKb<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/V6ModkrjtP<\/a><\/p>\n

— Lakers Legacy (@LakersLegacyPod) May 22, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n