If Yang Hanshen Is Sent to the G League, It Could Mark the Beginning of His CBA Comeback — Just Look at Zhou Qi

If Yang Hanshen Is Sent to the G League, It Could Mark the Beginning of His CBA Comeback — Just Look at Zhou Qi

By Jiang Shihua

After just five regular-season games, Yang Hanshen has faced a wave of criticism. His weaknesses — slow movement and limited physicality — have been exposed, especially during the game against the Utah Jazz, where Kris Ris seized every opportunity and essentially secured his role as the Blazers’ main bench center. It’s clear that Yang Hanshen is still struggling to adapt to the pace and intensity of the NBA.

Many voices suggest that Yang should be sent to the G League to “gain experience.” However, from my perspective, if that happens, it could actually mark the beginning of his path back to the CBA — much like what we saw with Zhou Qi.

Let’s be clear: the situation is more serious than many realize. Yang Hanshen’s contract with the Portland Trail Blazers is a 2+2 deal, with the final two years being team options. This means that only the first two years are guaranteed. If Yang fails to secure a meaningful role this season, the Blazers could easily trade or release him next year — his contract value isn’t high enough to make the team hesitate.

Keep in mind, Portland already bought out Deandre Ayton to clear their frontcourt, and even though Ayton’s performance has declined, he still scored with ease against Yang. Simply put, if the Blazers were tanking, Yang might have a stable position. But this season, the team doesn’t seem to be heading that route — they look competitive enough to aim for at least a play-in spot, which makes Yang’s situation much more uncertain.

As for the off-court chatter — whether Yang brings his girlfriend along or where he eats late at night — none of that really matters. The real question is: if he doesn’t show improvement this season, will the Blazers have the patience to wait another year?

While some NBA players have used the G League to develop successfully, that path rarely works for Chinese players, especially centers. The G League’s pace and physicality are no weaker than the NBA’s, and its games tend to spotlight individual performances. Who would pass the ball to an unknown center? Unless Yang can average something like 20 points and 10 rebounds, it’s hard to imagine him making it back to the main roster. Zhou Qi couldn’t manage that during his time with the Houston Rockets, and Yang currently lags behind Zhou in footwork, core strength, and rim protection. His only advantage — passing from the high post — isn’t enough to make a coach design an offense around him.

In short, while the Blazers’ main squad offers at least some structure and defined plays, the G League is pure survival mode. Everything depends on individual ability. For players like Zhou Qi before, and Yang Hanshen now, that environment can be even more unforgiving.

Chinese players who succeeded in the NBA — like Yao Ming and Yi Jianlian — never needed the G League to prove themselves. So, no matter how you look at it, being sent down may sound like an opportunity, but for Yang Hanshen, it could just as easily signal the beginning of his return to the CBA.