Hansen Yang

[FarBeyondDriven]

He looked like Wang Zhizhi out there in the scrimmage. Ass! Do not want

freezing cold take. He showed great passing, ran the floor well, low post moves, boxed out well and his stroke from three and a the FT line looks great. The first scrimmage didn't showcase bigs as little guards were all trying to prove they belonged. Yang had one of the better performances of the entire scrimmage

I saw a guy just moving around looking lost on most possessions. I didn't see anything outside of the flashes of skill which his highlights already suggest.

Watching him play, he looked terrible. I am a possession by possession guy, I don't see it. Is he a 2nd rounder, for sure but I didn't see anything more long term than a backup 5 like Wang Zhizhi.

I liked the other centers more. They looked a lot more aware on both ends. This is a strong center class this year.

I thought the baseline spin for a reverse layup and 1 was sweet and showed one of his strengths which is he has a lot of post moves and is very effective down low. He showed good form on his threes and at the FT line. Several high level passes. Searched for guys to box out enabling teammates to rebound and he ran the floor well. Most talking heads are in agreement that he showed out and was one of the standouts from the scrimmages. He's also Chinese and playing in America. Saying he looked terrible is hyperbolic.

Before his inclusion I would have given the edge to last year's center class tbh.

[EvanZ]

He looked like Wang Zhizhi out there in the scrimmage. Ass! Do not want

freezing cold take. He showed great passing, ran the floor well, low post moves, boxed out well and his stroke from three and a the FT line looks great. The first scrimmage didn't showcase bigs as little guards were all trying to prove they belonged. Yang had one of the better performances of the entire scrimmage

I actually agree with this, except the running the floor part. He's pretty slow up and down. Passing looks like it can be a plus skill and maybe most importantly and unlike any Chinese bigs since Yao, this dude seeks out physicality. He made Goldin look small and weak.

[King Ken]

freezing cold take. He showed great passing, ran the floor well, low post moves, boxed out well and his stroke from three and a the FT line looks great. The first scrimmage didn't showcase bigs as little guards were all trying to prove they belonged. Yang had one of the better performances of the entire scrimmage

I saw a guy just moving around looking lost on most possessions. I didn't see anything outside of the flashes of skill which his highlights already suggest.

Watching him play, he looked terrible. I am a possession by possession guy, I don't see it. Is he a 2nd rounder, for sure but I didn't see anything more long term than a backup 5 like Wang Zhizhi.

I liked the other centers more. They looked a lot more aware on both ends. This is a strong center class this year.

I thought the baseline spin for a reverse layup and 1 was sweet and showed one of his strengths which is he has a lot of post moves and is very effective down low. He showed good form on his threes and at the FT line. Several high level passes. Searched for guys to box out enabling teammates to rebound and he ran the floor well. Most talking heads are in agreement that he showed out and was one of the standouts from the scrimmages. He's also Chinese and playing in America. Saying he looked terrible is hyperbolic.

Before his inclusion I would have given the edge to last year's center class tbh.

I am not questioning his skill. I am questioning his feel and how he moves. There is a substantial gap in the NBA between starting center and backup center. Yang shows enough skill to where he's a clear NBA prospect but not enough to ever see him becoming a NBA starter one day. Feel is so critical for a center. If you don't have it, you are done. It's the QB of the paint. To me, that's as important as a PG if not more as they impact winning more.

[BlazersBroncos]

IDK if he has the mobility to play in this league but the Wang Zhizhi comparisons are lazier than a stoned sloth. They have one thing in common and we all know what it is. Those guys are nothing alike as prospects.

Yang is more comparable to Neemias Queta but w/ a 3PT shot.
Wang had a like 38% 3PTr for his career. He is more of a crappy version of Muscala.

[EvanZ]

I saw a guy just moving around looking lost on most possessions. I didn't see anything outside of the flashes of skill which his highlights already suggest.

Watching him play, he looked terrible. I am a possession by possession guy, I don't see it. Is he a 2nd rounder, for sure but I didn't see anything more long term than a backup 5 like Wang Zhizhi.

I liked the other centers more. They looked a lot more aware on both ends. This is a strong center class this year.

I thought the baseline spin for a reverse layup and 1 was sweet and showed one of his strengths which is he has a lot of post moves and is very effective down low. He showed good form on his threes and at the FT line. Several high level passes. Searched for guys to box out enabling teammates to rebound and he ran the floor well. Most talking heads are in agreement that he showed out and was one of the standouts from the scrimmages. He's also Chinese and playing in America. Saying he looked terrible is hyperbolic.

Before his inclusion I would have given the edge to last year's center class tbh.

I am not questioning his skill. I am questioning his feel and how he moves. There is a substantial gap in the NBA between starting center and backup center. Yang shows enough skill to where he's a clear NBA prospect but not enough to ever see him becoming a NBA starter one day. Feel is so critical for a center. If you don't have it, you are done. It's the QB of the paint. To me, that's as important as a PG if not more as they impact winning more.

Do you not see how much you've moved the bar here? You first compare the dude to Wang Zhizhi who played for 3 teams in 4 years and then was out of the NBA. And now you're just saying he's not a starter, but a backup center. Well, there's a GIANT world of difference between the career Zhizhi had and the career of a legit backup center in the NBA that plays for a decade or more.

So which is it? Are you predicting that Yang will be out of the NBA after a couple seasons or that he'll be good enough to be a legit backup center and get multiple contracts after his rookie deal?

[RookieStar]

Based on the few vids I saw on that scrimmage. He is like a lumbering bigs in the mold of Edey and Clingan.. I dunno why but if you are trying to impress NBA FOs watching, shouldnt yu at least try to sprint for all your worth? Dude looks to just jog back on defense.

[CP War Hawks]

Just saw his latest scrimmage, one play he closes out hard on a 3 pointer, guy drives to rim and he recovers laterally to block the shot. Packs alot of skill for a 19yo, and has a huge frame.

[SNPA]

Watch on YouTube

He is an NBA player. Some team will be happy with their pick.

[babyjax13]

Yang is much better than all of them

Is he in better shape? I watched a few games last season and was disappointed, but no denying that there are some fun tools there. I just worry that he can't get in physical shape to be a consistent contributor (and Im not saying there are work ethic issues, some guys just dont have the right physical attributes). If there is little physical improvement from last season it doesn't bode well for improving his body long term.

he looks noticeably slimmer to me. I don't think he lacks athleticism at all especially for his legit 7' size. It's his conditioning I'm mostly worried about. It's very much a concern. All we can go on right now is how did he look against his peers in international play and the answer is in 7 games he averaged a double double with 5 assists and 5 blocks per game. The combine (if he goes) should provide some insight.

Watch on YouTube

throwing alley oops to himself off the backboard and spin moves into a baseline dunk from outside the paint and bringing up the ball leading fast breaks are not ordinary things for 7 footers. Who are these world-beating centers he needs to worry about outside of a handful? If Edey can contribute and is a first rounder I don't know why Yang couldn't be.

Bumping this again, he looks like a totally different person in 18 months. I had him on the edge of the first round after a watch of everything I could find this year, but I think you are right, he looks like a first round prospect pretty solidly. It's just hard to figure out what order all these centers go in.

[FarBeyondDriven]

Just to clarify, I don't for a second think he's getting drafted and is immediately a major contributor on day 1. His conditioning while improved is still not NBA level and it'll take a lot of work to get there. I just believe if you're willing to take guys like Clingan in the lottery with his flaws then Yang should be considered as well. He's now had two pretty impressive combine scrimmages and is making passes only a few centers in the world can make. What has surprised me the most is how he seemingly does all the little things. If you watch him in the PnR he subtly knows how to position himself to seal off defenders which provides shooters space on shots or to facilitate drives and his positioning on defense has been spot on. But there's no doubt he gets gassed quick. I think a full summer of training camp will do wonders for him there.

[King Ken]

I thought the baseline spin for a reverse layup and 1 was sweet and showed one of his strengths which is he has a lot of post moves and is very effective down low. He showed good form on his threes and at the FT line. Several high level passes. Searched for guys to box out enabling teammates to rebound and he ran the floor well. Most talking heads are in agreement that he showed out and was one of the standouts from the scrimmages. He's also Chinese and playing in America. Saying he looked terrible is hyperbolic.

Before his inclusion I would have given the edge to last year's center class tbh.

I am not questioning his skill. I am questioning his feel and how he moves. There is a substantial gap in the NBA between starting center and backup center. Yang shows enough skill to where he's a clear NBA prospect but not enough to ever see him becoming a NBA starter one day. Feel is so critical for a center. If you don't have it, you are done. It's the QB of the paint. To me, that's as important as a PG if not more as they impact winning more.

Do you not see how much you've moved the bar here? You first compare the dude to Wang Zhizhi who played for 3 teams in 4 years and then was out of the NBA. And now you're just saying he's not a starter, but a backup center. Well, there's a GIANT world of difference between the career Zhizhi had and the career of a legit backup center in the NBA that plays for a decade or more.

So which is it? Are you predicting that Yang will be out of the NBA after a couple seasons or that he'll be good enough to be a legit backup center and get multiple contracts after his rookie deal?

I made it clear, backup center. Wang Zhizhi is just a comp, not an replica

[ANTETOKOUNBROS]

I am not questioning his skill. I am questioning his feel and how he moves. There is a substantial gap in the NBA between starting center and backup center. Yang shows enough skill to where he's a clear NBA prospect but not enough to ever see him becoming a NBA starter one day. Feel is so critical for a center. If you don't have it, you are done. It's the QB of the paint. To me, that's as important as a PG if not more as they impact winning more.

Do you not see how much you've moved the bar here? You first compare the dude to Wang Zhizhi who played for 3 teams in 4 years and then was out of the NBA. And now you're just saying he's not a starter, but a backup center. Well, there's a GIANT world of difference between the career Zhizhi had and the career of a legit backup center in the NBA that plays for a decade or more.

So which is it? Are you predicting that Yang will be out of the NBA after a couple seasons or that he'll be good enough to be a legit backup center and get multiple contracts after his rookie deal?

I made it clear, backup center. Wang Zhizhi is just a comp, not an replica

Comp of skill or appearance? Wang and Yang play nothing alike haha, they only have two things in common: the position they play and chinese descent. All Wang ever did was spot up from 3. Yang can shoot the three but has an impressive passing reel even by NBA prospect standards, more mobile, physical, potential as a modern C who may be able to hang with 2nd units without being hunted relentlessly.

[King Ken]

Do you not see how much you've moved the bar here? You first compare the dude to Wang Zhizhi who played for 3 teams in 4 years and then was out of the NBA. And now you're just saying he's not a starter, but a backup center. Well, there's a GIANT world of difference between the career Zhizhi had and the career of a legit backup center in the NBA that plays for a decade or more.

So which is it? Are you predicting that Yang will be out of the NBA after a couple seasons or that he'll be good enough to be a legit backup center and get multiple contracts after his rookie deal?

I made it clear, backup center. Wang Zhizhi is just a comp, not an replica

Comp of skill or appearance? Wang and Yang play nothing alike haha, they only have two things in common: the position they play and chinese descent. All Wang ever did was spot up from 3. Yang can shoot the three but has an impressive passing reel even by NBA prospect standards, more mobile, physical, potential as a modern C who may be able to hang with 2nd units without being hunted relentlessly.

They look a lot alike. Both got a higher skill level than you would expect. Both have range. Both move poorly and they don't showcase a ton of off ball awareness while not looking too bad on the ball. Hansen is bigger but Wang was slightly more agile.

After that there are clear differences but not enough to separate them from that comp. He looks nothing like Clingan and definitely nothing like Edey.

What I'll give him over Wang is playmaking and court vision. That's where there are clear differences. He's a clearly better finisher as well. More strength than Zhizhi. That's why I said he's clearly a backup.

I agree with the scouts, he needs to change his mind, go to Purdue or an American college like Georgetown and I need to see his skill development because he needs a lot more growth to overcome some of his odds I see right now.

[EvanZ]

I am not questioning his skill. I am questioning his feel and how he moves. There is a substantial gap in the NBA between starting center and backup center. Yang shows enough skill to where he's a clear NBA prospect but not enough to ever see him becoming a NBA starter one day. Feel is so critical for a center. If you don't have it, you are done. It's the QB of the paint. To me, that's as important as a PG if not more as they impact winning more.

Do you not see how much you've moved the bar here? You first compare the dude to Wang Zhizhi who played for 3 teams in 4 years and then was out of the NBA. And now you're just saying he's not a starter, but a backup center. Well, there's a GIANT world of difference between the career Zhizhi had and the career of a legit backup center in the NBA that plays for a decade or more.

So which is it? Are you predicting that Yang will be out of the NBA after a couple seasons or that he'll be good enough to be a legit backup center and get multiple contracts after his rookie deal?

I made it clear, backup center. Wang Zhizhi is just a comp, not an replica

You didn’t answer the question. Is Yang a legit backup center or will he be out of the league after his rookie deal?

[King Ken]

I am going to go back and watch Hansen. Wasnt initially impressed but I've spoken to at least 5 guys who love him who I trust. Maybe not as a 1st rounder but they think he's better than what I am currently projecting and maybe I am wrong. I haven't spend much time on his eval. So I'll do more homework on him

[SNPA]

I am going to go back and watch Hansen. Wasnt initially impressed but I've spoken to at least 5 guys who love him who I trust. Maybe not as a 1st rounder but they think he's better than what I am currently projecting and maybe I am wrong. I haven't spend much time on his eval. So I'll do more homework on him

Yang gang. Join us.

[FarBeyondDriven]

I am going to go back and watch Hansen. Wasnt initially impressed but I've spoken to at least 5 guys who love him who I trust. Maybe not as a 1st rounder but they think he's better than what I am currently projecting and maybe I am wrong. I haven't spend much time on his eval. So I'll do more homework on him

the important thing to remember is he's still just 19 y/o yet is already so advanced offensively. Imagine him with NBA trainers and getting to practice and play with and against NBA players. It's going to make him so much better. I don't think people are thinking about the Chinese market and how that will impact team's decisions to draft him. The West Coast teams, the Nets, Bulls and Rockets all have a decent Chinese-American population I'm sure they'd love to tap into. Plus the millions in China that will be watching I'm sure.

[babyjax13]

Watch on YouTube

His game reminds me of Z. Not saying he will be as good, but that is the stylistic comp.

[SNPA]

Watch on YouTube

His game reminds me of Z. Not saying he will be as good, but that is the stylistic comp.

Interesting. I see a lot of Vlade.

I’m thinking of calling him…ahemmm…cracks knuckles….Chilade.

[babyjax13]

Watch on YouTube

His game reminds me of Z. Not saying he will be as good, but that is the stylistic comp.

Interesting. I see a lot of Vlade.

I’m thinking of calling him…ahemmm…cracks knuckles….Chilade.

Vlade's prime is ever so slightly before my time, but I don't think it is a bad one based on that last season in Sacramento!