Image Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Yang Hansen to Skip FIBA Asia Cup to Paricipate in Trail Blazers’ Training Camps

Hansen was selected as the 16th pick in the 2025 Draft.

Image Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Portland Trail Blazers rookie Yang Hansen will skip the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup set to take place from August 5 to August 17. According to China’s Xinhua News Agency, he will participate in the two training camps organized by his NBA team on August 11. Hansen, who was selected as the 16th pick in the 2025 Draft, has also requested to skip the 31st edition of the event for various subzones of Asia and Oceania.

His decision was confirmed by the Chinese Basketball Association. In their official statement, the association announced, “After a comprehensive evaluation considering the long-term development of both the athlete and Chinese basketball, the Chinese Basketball Association has agreed to Yang Hansen’s request to not participate in the national team training camp and games for the 2025 Men’s Asia Cup, allowing him to fully prepare for the new season.”

The 20-year-old wants to prepare for his upcoming rookie season and hence, would participate in the camp. Notably, Hansen played a key role in helping China qualify for the tournament. In six games, he dropped an average of 8.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game. Not only this, but he is also coming off a fresh NBA Summer League, where in games, the South Asian dropped an average of 9.9 points, five rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game.

The Chinese Basketball Association will let Yang Hansen forgo the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup so he can attend two training camps hosted by the Blazers in August

Hansen wanted to participate in the camps to better integrate with the team and further improve his skills

Kid is dedicated🙌 pic.twitter.com/EXiKNFgipz
— Blazers Lead (@BlazersLead) July 24, 2025

Damian Lillard Heaps Praise on Yang Hansen, Labels Him ‘Real Player’

The Trail Blazers veteran, Damian Lillard, heaped praise on his young teammate, Yang Hansen, following his memorable debut in the NBA Summer League. Lillard said, “One of my assistants in Milwaukee, my first year, actually coached him in China. He spoke highly of him as soon as they picked him, but I hadn’t seen much, and then watching him during Summer League, I was like, ‘This is a real player.’”

He added, “And he got like some swag to him too, you know, like he got some stuff to him, and I think that’s good for a rookie.” Notably, the 7-footer is touted for his overall skillset and ability to space the floor as well as defend the paint. Since the Trail Blazers have had him on their radar for the last two years, it can be expected that he would contribute highly on both sides of the court.

Yang Hansen

Garima Ranawat

Garima is a sports writer with around two years of experience in Indian sports and a newfound interest in the NBA. Inspired by the leadership of cricketing legend MS Dhoni, she wishes to bring in newer perspectives to the NBA fanatics with her writing.