Chinese Media Reacts to Yang Hanshen’s 16+4 Breakout: Coach Delighted, Outshines Sabonis, Becomes the League’s New Favorite and Silences the Doubters

Yang Hanshen Shines Bright in Home Preseason Debut — From Nervous Rookie to Blazers’ Rising Star

Yang Hanshen made his long-awaited home debut for the Portland Trail Blazers in the NBA preseason — and what a transformation it was. Gone was the timid, hesitant, and raw rookie we saw in his first road appearance. This time, Yang took the court with confidence and dominance.

Just two minutes after checking in during the third quarter, he exploded for 10 straight points, going a perfect 5-for-5 in only six minutes to score 14 points in that quarter alone — marking his first-ever preseason double-double.

His performance quickly became a sensation back home in China, where “Yang Hanshen” occupied both the No. 2 and No. 6 spots on the trending topics list — a testament to his rapidly growing popularity.

A Breakout Stat Line

In that spectacular six-minute stretch, Yang went 5-for-5 from the field, 2-for-2 from three-point range, and 2-for-2 from the free-throw line — totaling 14 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 block with a perfect 100% field goal and three-point percentage, and a stunning 110.5% true shooting rate.

By the end of the game, Yang played 17 minutes, shooting 5-for-8 overall, including 2-for-3 from deep and a flawless 4-for-4 at the line. He finished with 16 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 blocks, and 5 fouls — good for a 62.5% field goal percentage, 66.7% from three, and an impressive 82% true shooting rate.

Chinese Media Praise the “Hansen Time” Phenomenon

Veteran basketball commentator Su Qun dubbed the moment “Hansen Time,” noting how Yang scored 10 straight points in just 2 minutes and racked up 14 points in a little over six minutes.

Analyst Kuangyan Doggy highlighted Yang’s contrast with fellow rookie Donovan Clingan: “Clingan focuses on rim protection, while Yang brings range and offensive firepower — that difference makes all the sense in the world. Coach Billups must be thrilled.”

Commentator Whale was even more effusive: “Yang Hanshen completely outperformed Domantas Sabonis tonight. He was the most outstanding player on the floor, constantly showing new layers to his game. He’s not just the team’s starting center — he’s already one of the Blazers’ top two core players.”

Basketball writer A Yue praised Yang’s evolution: “This is the template for a modern center. Compared to his debut, he’s like a different person — finishing strong, defending the rim, passing smartly, and even knocking down threes.”

Veteran reporter Zhou Peng (Dave) admired Yang’s adaptability: “After facing the Warriors, Yang went back and fixed his issues. That’s his real strength — he learns fast. When you play at this level, your teammates trust you with the ball, and the crowd roars for you.”

From Rookie to League Darling

Influential commentator Da V called Yang “the new darling of the league,” noting that the NBA’s official account immediately released a highlight reel of his breakout game.

Sports journalist Mai Suifeng added, “Yang Hanshen was ruthless tonight — he silenced his critics completely.”

At the same time, Mai emphasized that Yang’s weaknesses shouldn’t be overlooked: “He’s our guy, and he needs protection, but his defensive issues have been fully exposed. Coach Billups was right — Yang’s footwork and reaction time are still slow, and his tendency to reach for steals is a bad habit from the slower pace of the CBA. These will take time to correct.”

Still, even with defensive growing pains, Yang’s offensive arsenal impressed everyone. His scoring instincts, confidence, and self-driven creativity stood out — and the Blazers seem to fully understand how to use him effectively, without forcing him into a system that doesn’t fit.

In just one night, Yang Hanshen didn’t just earn a spot on the highlight reel — he earned the respect of fans, teammates, and coaches alike. The Blazers may have just discovered their next big star.