The rookie center opens up about his life and basketball.
Portland Trail Blazers rookie center Yang Hansen has penned a lengthy piece to fans in The Player’s Tribune.
In the article – which he wrote in his native Chinese before having it translated to English – Yang talked about his being drafted by Portland, his early life, how he wants to represent his home country of China, and how he relates to the name of the team that drafted him:
TRAIL BLAZERS
I find that name interesting. And so fitting for me.
As we all know, it has been a long while since a player from China has been drafted into the NBA. So I am very fortunate to be in the position I am, to be someone representing China at the very highest level of basketball. And I take that responsibility seriously. There are so many talented basketball players in China, so many young kids full of passion who are working hard every day to maybe someday make it to the NBA. If you go on social media, they are everywhere. The future is very bright in my view.
And this is why, to me, Trailblazers is such a perfect name for my new team.
It is full of power and hope.
I want to create my own path in the NBA. And to be successful. But, at the same time, that is just the beginning. It is only a small part of what I hope is next. My goal is to inspire athletes back home in China, just like Yao did for me, and to show them that it is possible for them to also be a first-round NBA draft pick in the future and to create their own path.
He also talked about his newfound love for the City of Portland:
I am so grateful and fortunate to be able to make Portland my new home. It is such a beautiful place. I love that it is quiet and calm, and the air, it is so … fresh!
I don’t have a driver’s license, so I have just been walking everywhere since I arrived. (Have you seen me? I am hard to miss.) I’m pretty sure at this point I have already tried every Chinese restaurant near where I’m living. When you love food like I do, that is a must. I cannot live without Chinese food. (I plan on perfecting my shou zhua fan this season, so if people want me to, I will post the dish on social media so everyone can see how I’m doing.) And the local Chinese community in Portland has already been so welcoming to me. When people see me in restaurants, they call out my name from across the room. They will shout it out and have a big smile and wave hello.
Of course, it is not just Chinese people who have been kind to me in Portland. It’s been everyone. There have been thousands. People see me out walking and roll down their car window and cheer or tell me, “Welcome to Portland!” It has really warmed my heart. I want to do everything I can on the court to show them that I appreciate their support.
Hansen, selected by Portland with the 16th pick in this year’s NBA draft, is just the ninth Chinese-born player to make the NBA since the league was founded in 1946.
Category: General Sports
