Chinese basketball player Yang Hansen Photo: VCG

After concluding his NBA Summer League stint, promising 20-year-old Chinese center Yang Hansen has returned to Qingdao, East China's Shandong Province where he spent two seasons with the Qingdao Eagles before being drafted by the Portland Trail Blazers.

The 2.16-meter-tall Chinese player's return has sparkled initial hopes of him playing for the Chinese national basketball team at the upcoming FIBA Asia Cup, after star center Zhou Qi was sidelined due to injury. 

The FIBA Asia Cup 2025 will begin on August 5 and last until the 17 in Saudi Arabia. 

The Chinese Basketball Association (CBA), however, announced Thursday that the governing body has granted Yang's request to skip national team duties at the Asia Cup.

"After careful evaluation and with consideration for Yang's growth and China's long-term basketball development, the association granted his request to forgo national team training and competition at the Asia Cup in order to fully commit to preparing for the new NBA season," the CBA said in a statement released.

"The CBA has always adhered to an open attitude, encouraging and supporting more promising players to train and improve themselves in overseas high-level leagues. We hope that Yang will continue to work hard and adapt to the new environment more quickly, become a more versatile and outstanding player, and better contribute to Chinese basketball in world competitions."

Reflecting on his decision in a heartfelt statement, Yang expressed both gratitude and regret.

"Now that the NBA Summer League has ended, I've learned a great deal and also recognized my shortcomings. Unfortunately, the timing conflicts with the preseason training camp, so I won't be able to join the national team for the upcoming Asia Cup," Yang said in a statement released on Weibo.

"Ever since I decided to pursue my dream in the US, I've felt the power of Chinese basketball behind me. Having this opportunity to focus fully on adapting to the NBA's rhythm and improving my skills is possible because of everyone's open mindset. That kind of openness [by the CBA] toward young players' development truly moves me. No matter where I play, I will always carry the belief of bringing honor to our country."

After playing two seasons with the Qingdao Eagles in the CBA league, Yang has been referred to by domestic fans as China's Nikola Jokic for his towering skills in the paint. 

At the NBA Summer League, Yang made an immediate and lasting impression across four Summer League games with the Trail Blazers. He averaged 10.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 2.3 blocks per game , considered a well-rounded statistic line for a rookie center in the NBA.

Cultivating talents

The CBA said Yang's return was to complete visa and personal formalities, but fans in Qingdao might see him on another formal stage.

The CBA is scheduled to host its draft event in Qingdao on Saturday, where newly NBA-drafted Yang is expected to attend as a "guest" to inspire more domestic talents.

Addressing the young talents, the national team is likely to field a squad of young players after several stars were sidelined due to injury, including key players Zhang Zhenlin, Zeng Fanbo and Cui Yongxi.

The national team is in its preparation phase for the upcoming FIBA Asia Cup.

The Chinese men's basketball team is grouped in Group C in the Asia Cup, with their group stage opponents being Saudi Arabia, India and Jordan.

The Chinese team, current world No.30, will take on world No.25 Venezuela on Friday in Hangzhou, East China's Zhejiang Province, before taking on world No.16 Montenegro on Sunday and Tuesday in Nanjing, East China's Jiangsu Province.

The last encounter between the Chinese and Venezuelan teams dates back to the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup, when the Chinese team suffered a 72-59 defeat in a group-stage match. 

Head coach Guo Shiqiang said Thursday that the Asia Cup is a critical step on the roadmap to the 2027 FIBA World Cup and the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, the US. 

He also emphasized the recent importance of high-intensity warm-up games to test their training progress and helping players to narrow the gap with top international teams.

The governing body announced a 23-man squad for the national team in June, while Guo has to decide the final 12 players to play for the Asia Cup.

Star center Zhou also suffered a recurrence of a lower back injury and has since traveled to Houston, the US for treatment. 

Guo said Zhou is expected to complete his treatment soon and rejoin the national team as quickly as possible.

Fu Zhenghao, a Beijing-based basketball commentator, told the Global Times that it is reasonable to lower the expectations on the national team's achievement at the Asia Cup. 

"It is reasonable to lower the expectations as the national team doesn't have its best squad for the Asia Cup this time," Fu said. "But as the national team has qualified for the World Cup qualifiers, we can focus on the young players' performances instead of only weighing the result of the Asia Cup."

Though Yang will be in the US when the Asia Cup in full swing, he has said he will follow each one of the national team's games at the Asia Cup.

"Over the next while, I'll devote all my energy to preparing for the preseason training camp, aiming to make solid progress in the upcoming season. Please rest assured that I won't let your trust down," Yang said. 

"During the Asia Cup, I will be following every game closely and cheering for my brothers on the team. The road ahead is long, and I will keep advancing step by step, striving to return to the national team as a more mature player and give my all for Chinese basketball on the world stage," Yang said.