Yang skipping FIBA Asia Cup to focus on NBA challenge

China's red-hot NBA rookie Yang Hansen will skip the FIBA Asia Cup next month to focus on preparation for his first season in the North American league with the Portland Trail Blazers, the Chinese Basketball Association confirmed on Thursday.

Yang, who was selected by Portland at 16th overall at the 2025 NBA Draft in June, has returned to his home city of Qingdao in Shandong province after impressively completing his summer league outing with the Trail Blazers, averaging 10.8 points, five rebounds, 3.8 assists and 2.3 blocks across four appearances to help his new club win three games.

The 2.16-meter versatile center will not join the Chinese men's national team for the upcoming Asia Cup, which tips off on Aug 5 in Saudi Arabia, and will, instead, return to the United States and report to the Trail Blazers in time for the club's short-term training camps, beginning from Aug 11, the CBA said in a statement.

"After thorough consideration, and for the player's individual progress and the long-term development of Chinese basketball as a whole, the Chinese Basketball Association has approved Yang's request of skipping the national team's training camp and Asia Cup campaign this summer to prepare for the new NBA season with a full effort," read the statement.

"The CBA has always been open and supportive for more young talents to hone their skills and improve their game in high-level overseas leagues. The CBA, together with the national team coaching staff, will keep consistent communication with Yang.

"We hope he would keep working hard and improving himself continuously to adapt to the new league as soon as possible and become a better player who could contribute greater strength for Team China at international events in the future."

The CBA's permission for Yang to focus on his own development, rather than overusing him for additional international duties during what has already been a busy summer, was applauded by fans and pundits alike.

Yang, a 20-year-old all-around player, has drawn comparisons to three-time NBA MVP Nicola Jokic of Denver Nuggets for his play-making role in the post position and has won a growing legion of new fans in the States.