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Yang Hansen, a 7’1″ rookie, joins the Portland Trail Blazers, boosting the team’s profile in China.NBA returns to China after a 2019 rift, hosting preseason games and planning further outreach.Portland’s social media surged this summer, largely due to Chinese fan engagement with Hansen.Yang Hansen’s preseason debut showed promise, but also highlighted his need for adaptation.NBA’s renewed China strategy faces ongoing political and economic challenges.Yang Hansen’s NBA Arrival: A Symbol of Hope for China’s Basketball Dream

The NBA’s return to China in 2025 isn’t just another preseason event—it’s a cultural reset, a moment thick with meaning for millions of fans and, notably, for one man: Yang Hansen. The 7-foot-1 rookie center for the Portland Trail Blazers has become the face of China’s basketball resurgence, his journey reflecting both the league’s tumultuous relationship with the country and the hope for a new chapter.

From Rift to Reconciliation: Basketball’s Bridge Over Divides

It wasn’t long ago that the NBA’s ties with China seemed irreparably damaged. A single tweet in 2019 supporting Hong Kong protesters—posted by then-Houston Rockets GM Daryl Morey—sparked a geopolitical fallout. Broadcasts vanished, partnerships froze, and millions of Chinese fans were left in limbo. For years, the silence was deafening. Preseason games in Shanghai and Shenzhen felt surreal, the stadiums eerily quiet, players and coaches skipping press conferences, unsure what the future held.

This year, the air is different. The Nets and Phoenix Suns touch down in Macao’s Venetian Arena, greeted by anticipation rather than awkwardness. NBA Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum underlines the stakes: “There’s no doubt that China has one of the largest fanbases in the world—hundreds of millions of fans in China, 300 million people play the game of basketball in China.” The league’s mission, he insists, is to “inspire and connect people everywhere through the game of basketball.” The National Herald reports that two more games are planned for next season, signaling a long-term commitment.

Yang Hansen: A New Face, New Aspirations

For Chinese fans, Yang Hansen is more than a rookie—he’s a symbol. Drafted by the Portland Trail Blazers, Hansen’s arrival is timed perfectly with the NBA’s return to China. His words, delivered with the help of an interpreter, carry the weight of a nation’s expectations: “Playing for the Blazers is a wonderful thing for me, and I wish that I can take all the players and management and coaches to China for sure in the future… I just wish that in the future, we can have it—I can also play in front of all my homies, which is also the proudest thing for me.”

It’s not just about personal pride. Trail Blazers President Dewayne Hankins notes, “We were No. 1 in the league in social media rankings in July during Summer League… and a lot of that was due to the incredible audience that Yang Hansen brings to us.” Suddenly, the Blazers are a household name in China, and the team’s digital footprint is surging—proof of Hansen’s magnetic pull.

NBA Preseason: Pressure and Promise

Yang Hansen’s debut has not been without its challenges. The preseason matchup against the Golden State Warriors, as detailed by Dub Nation HQ, showed the complexity of integrating a rookie into a demanding league. The Warriors’ deep bench staged a comeback against Portland, exploiting a night where Hansen was tasked with refining his court vision and passing—skills that earned him his draft spot but require adjustment at the NBA level. The Blazers’ experimental lineups, built around developing young talent, meant Hansen was often in unfamiliar territory, learning on the fly.

Despite a rough outing, the consensus is clear: growth takes time. Warriors players like LJ Cryer and Quinten Post shone, but for Portland, Hansen’s presence was the real story. His ability to attract fans, both online and in the stands, speaks volumes about his potential.

The Global NBA: Stars, Stories, and the Chinese Connection

Yang Hansen isn’t the only player bridging cultures. Superstars like LeBron James and Stephen Curry have long recognized China’s passion for basketball, each making regular tours that attract throngs of fans. Curry, who brought his training camp to Chongqing this year, remarked, “Basketball is at an all-time high, not only from an awareness and fandom perspective.” The league’s embrace of China is echoed by Suns guard Jared Butler, who views the trip as a “bonding moment” for players unfamiliar with the country’s basketball scene.

The NBA’s renewed outreach is strategic. With 300 million fans—each a potential consumer—the stakes are immense. The Blazers, in particular, are already feeling the impact. Hansen’s popularity is driving engagement across platforms, with social media metrics reflecting a seismic shift in attention.

The Path Forward: Challenges and Opportunities

Yet, the NBA’s path in China is not without obstacles. Ongoing trade tensions between the U.S. and China, coupled with criticism over human rights issues, mean that every move is scrutinized. Commissioner Adam Silver believes sports have a unique power to “build community… at times of heightened division.” Basketball, he argues, is a universal language—a belief embodied by Yang Hansen’s journey.

For Hansen, the goal is clear: to play in front of his fellow countrymen, to bring the Trail Blazers to China, and to inspire a new generation. For the NBA, his ascent is a reminder that global talent isn’t just good for business—it’s essential for the sport’s future.

Yang Hansen’s emergence signals more than a new chapter for the Trail Blazers—it marks a turning point in the NBA’s relationship with China. As Hansen develops his skills on the court, he’s also shaping the league’s global identity, showing that basketball’s power to connect people transcends borders, politics, and setbacks. The story is far from finished, but one thing is certain: the world is watching, and so is China.