意外！杨瀚森因两点无缘NBA选秀，青岛队已揭秘

The last time a Chinese player participated in an NBA regular-season game was on October 31, 2018. It was a seemingly ordinary matchup between the Houston Rockets and the Portland Trail Blazers, but for Zhou Qi, it marked the end of his NBA career. Zhou Qi only saw one minute of playtime, managing to score 2 points from free throws. This appearance turned out to be his only game in the 2018-19 season, and a month and a half later, he was waived by the Rockets. Thus, it also marked the final appearance of a Chinese player in the NBA.

In the five years that followed, Chinese basketball faced numerous setbacks and disappointments. In the 2019 FIBA World Cup, Zhou Qi's consecutive mistakes cost China a chance at the Olympics. The 2023 World Cup saw China setting disgraceful records, missing out on the Olympics for two consecutive editions. Even at the Hangzhou Asian Games, the Philippines, with only half of their main lineup, managed to stage a comeback against China. The highly anticipated Zhang Zhenlin missed a game-winning opportunity, further adding to the woes.

However, this season brings a glimmer of hope for basketball fans. The 18-year-old rising star from Qingdao, Yang Hanseng, has reignited dreams of Chinese players joining the NBA. Regarded as one of the best young centers in Chinese basketball in recent years, Yang stands tall at 2.18 meters and weighs 113 kilograms. He possesses solid inside skills, particularly in escaping defenders and maneuvering. While not a player who relies solely on physicality, Yang's intelligence and finesse on the court have caught the attention of many.

Making his NBA debut as a starter in the All-Star game is a feat even Yao Ming, Yi Jianlian, and Wang Zhizhi didn't achieve. It's safe to say that Yang Hanseng is deserving of high expectations. This season marks Yang's first in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA). He played a crucial role in Qingdao's return to the playoffs after three years. Yang averaged an impressive 15.2 points, 10.9 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2.2 blocks per game, ranking third in rebounds and first in blocks in the league.

With Yang Hanseng gaining attention both domestically and internationally, NBA teams have begun showing interest. Representatives from the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Memphis Grizzlies have been spotted scouting him in several games. Mock drafts from prominent NBA draft websites predict that Yang could be selected around the end of the first round or early in the second round. The buzz surrounding an 18-year-old prospect entering the NBA draft has stirred excitement among Chinese basketball fans.

There are several reasons why both media and fans have high hopes for Yang Hanseng. Firstly, his outstanding performance in his debut season in the CBA, where he secured an All-Star starting spot and led the league in blocks. His versatility as a center, able to score and facilitate from beyond the arc, draws comparisons to players like Marc Gasol and Nikola Jokic. However, Yang still has a long way to go to reach their level.

Secondly, his potential showcased in the U19 FIBA World Cup. Despite being one of the younger players in the tournament, Yang held his own against older opponents. In a game against France, he outperformed the highly touted French center with 14 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 blocks. Yang's dominant performance against Hungary with 23 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists, and an impressive 8 blocks further solidified his reputation. Throughout the tournament, he averaged 12.6 points, 10.4 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 5 blocks per game, earning a spot on the All-Tournament Second Team and the title of Blocks Leader.

Following the U19 World Cup, American sports journalist Jack Shapiro wrote, "We've finally found the next Nikola Jokic, and he's in China."

Thirdly, the 2024 NBA draft is considered relatively weak in talent compared to previous years, making Yang's prospects even more promising. While it was speculated that Yang would enter the draft, on April 4th, Yang Yi's team revealed a surprising development during a live broadcast, stating that Yang Hanseng would not participate in the NBA draft this year. They cited two main obstacles: Qingdao's reluctance to allow Yang to enter the draft and Yang's lack of preparation and representation.

As a prized asset developed by Qingdao, the team naturally has reservations about Yang joining the NBA. Considering his status as a core player crucial to the club's interests, they have to weigh the benefits against the potential drawbacks. Similar obstacles have hindered Chinese players in the past, particularly when there's a conflict of interest between the player and the club. Shanghai only agreed to Yao Ming's participation in the draft after the Rockets offered substantial compensation to the team. Zhou Qi was selected, but Xinjiang only released him after he helped the team win the championship. Yang Hanseng faces the same dilemma as Yao Ming and Zhou Qi did in the past.

Additionally, the issue of representation can be easily resolved. Once he decides to enter the draft, there will be plenty of agents vying for the opportunity to represent him, advocating for the best possible resources. Yang Hanseng has not yet reached the level of Yao Ming or Yi Jianlian when they left the CBA. He has not yet established himself as a dominant force in the NBA. Even Zhou Qi was considered a stronger prospect when he entered the draft compared to Yang Hanseng.

Yang Hanseng's youth is his greatest advantage. Few players his age can achieve such remarkable statistics. At just 19 years old next year, he still has plenty of time to challenge the NBA. As long as he continues to improve, enhancing his physicality and refining his skills, being dubbed as the Chinese version of Nikola Jokic serves as both praise and pressure. After all, his benchmark is nothing short of NBA championships and MVP awards.