Who is the 7’1” Chinese prospect drawing comparisons to Nikola Jokic?

Hansen Yang, a 7-foot-1 teenager from China, reminds some NBA draft people of Nikola Jokic. Threading passes through traffic with the same supernatural court vision that made the Nuggets’ Serbian center a three-time MVP, Yang has risen through China’s basketball ranks in ways that mirror Jokic’s unlikely ascent — and should have Nuggets fans paying attention.

At just 19 years old, Yang excelled in the Chinese Basketball Association this past season. He dropped 16.6 points, pulled down 10.5 rebounds, dished 3.0 assists, and blocked 2.6 shots per game for the Qingdao Eagles. But statistics alone are not what makes Yang reminiscent of Denver’s championship centerpiece.

Like Jokic, Yang is a 7-foot Passing Savant

The Jokic comparisons stem from Yang’s outstanding court awareness for someone his size. Watch him operate from the top of the key, and you’ll see flashes of that familiar magic we’re used to in the Mile High City.

Yang processes defensive rotations well, with his massive 10-by-11.25-inch hands helping him whip passes that most centers wouldn’t dream of attempting. Check out this stellar pass from the NBA Combine. Yang works above the left break, fakes the dribble handoff, sets a screen, then delivers an excellent dime between two defenders to the cutter.

Qingdao trusted Yang enough to run their offense through him at the top of the key, not a typical responsibility for a 253-pound center. He rewarded that faith with eye fakes that froze defenders and passing angles that shouldn’t exist for someone his size. Peep the passing highlights between 6:40 and 8:55 of the following video:

Yang’s offensive arsenal extends beyond passing. His post-game features smooth footwork and a soft touch that could translate to NBA basketball. When he establishes deep position, he was nearly unstoppable in the CBA, using sweeping moves and excellent body control to score efficiently around the rim.

But let’s pump the brakes before crowning him the next Nikola Jokic. Yang still turns the ball over too frequently, averaging 3.0 turnovers per game in the CBA in 2024-25. He lacks Jokic’s supernatural ability to manipulate defenses and shows nowhere near the strength of the Serbian big man. Stronger, more physical defenders can knock Yang off his preferred spots, disrupting his timing and balance.

Defensive Upside

The defensive end is where Yang might actually surpass his famous comparison, at least initially. The young center earned CBA Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2023-24, showcasing rim protection and rebounding prowess.

Yang’s 9’3” standing reach allows him to alter some shots without leaving his feet. His positioning and timing around the basket reflect a solid understanding of help defense principles. This 30-second defensive highlight reel from the combine demonstrates his ability to protect the paint against NBA-caliber athletes.

I’m still not wholly sold on Yang’s mobility or switchability. He can struggle to defend away from the basket, so I’d imagine his defensive impact will rely heavily on drop coverage early in his career, which may limit his versatility in the modern NBA.

From Second Round to Stardom?

Also known as Baby Jokic, Yang’s combine performance flashed glimpses of promise. Twelve points on 5-of-7 shooting in his first scrimmage, followed by 11 points, six assists, and six rebounds in his second appearance. He looked comfortable against other NBA prospects, suggesting his CBA play wasn’t entirely level-dependent.

Recent Yahoo and No Ceilings mock drafts have Yang landing with Toronto at pick 39, but Denver — without a pick in the 2025 draft — might want to consider purchasing a second-round selection to add him. The parallels to Jokic's draft story, from 41st pick in 2014 to franchise cornerstone, are indeed compelling.

My guess? Yang won’t become the next three-time MVP. That’s an unrealistic expectation for any prospect. But his combination of size, skill, and basketball IQ suggests he could develop into a valuable NBA contributor given proper patience.

The Nuggets have already developed one unconventional big man into a superstar, but the team would likely have to spend a few million dollars to purchase the pick that would allow them to draft Yang.

All of that said, I doubt the 7'1" center from China ends up in the Mile High City.