Overview

• Portland acquired the 16th overall pick from the Memphis Grizzlies and used it to select the 7-foot-2 center Hansen Yang.
• Most draft experts had projected Yang, who played for the Qingdao Eagles in the Chinese Basketball Association, to be chosen in the second round.
• The Blazers had scouted Yang for two years and held a pre-draft workout after his combine performance, underscoring their commitment to his passing and playmaking skills.
• In his final CBA season, Yang averaged 16.6 points, 10.5 rebounds, three assists and 2.6 blocks per game.
• He becomes the first Chinese player selected in the first round since Yao Ming in 2002 and joins a Blazers roster already featuring centers Deandre Ayton and Donovan Clingan.