YANG Hanshen’s NBA Draft Report: 90 Points, Comparisons to Wang Zhidai – Is He the Next Chinese Game-Changer?

The 90-Point Blueprint: What Does It Really Mean?

I’ve spent years building predictive models for prospects — from point guards to power forwards. So when NBADraft.net dropped Yang Hanshen’s 90-point composite score, my first thought wasn’t ‘wow’… it was ‘prove it.’

That number sits comfortably above average — but let’s be real: in today’s NBA, where spacing and floor stretching matter more than ever, 90 isn’t automatic gold. It means potential. It means upside. It means someone who can carry value if deployed right.

And yes — they’ve compared him to Wang Zhidai. Not as an exact copy, but as a template.

Why Wang Zhidai? The Ghost of China’s First Star

Wang Zhidai wasn’t just an NBA player; he was a cultural pivot. A big man with finesse — not flash, but intelligence. His footwork in the post? Smooth like Chicago blues at midnight.

The report calls out his vision, calm under pressure, and ability to read defenses before they move. That’s not just rare for bigs; it’s extremely rare for players from outside Western systems.

Yang has that same vibe — not explosive, not flashy — but efficient, deliberate, and always one step ahead.

And here’s where I geek out: his 4th Dimensional Defensive Efficiency (4DE) score is solid for his size class. That model measures how well you disrupt plays without leaving your spot — exactly what bigs like this need to thrive in transition-heavy leagues.

The Achilles’ Heel: Athleticism & Space Creation

Let me be blunt: Yang doesn’t run fast. Doesn’t jump high. Doesn’t change direction like a guard.

His athleticism grade? A ⁶⁄₁₀. Not terrible… just plain vanilla.

That puts him at risk in modern defensive schemes that demand switchability and lateral quickness. Can he guard Steph Curry off screens? Probably not without help.

But here’s the twist: he doesn’t need to be elite at everything. He needs to be smart at one thing — scoring inside and controlling rebounds.

And on those fronts? His strength (8), rebounding (8), low-post skill (8), and leadership (7) are all strong indicators of impact potential… especially if he lands with a team prioritizing role players over star-makers.

The Real Test: From China to the NBA Floor?

Every year we see projections crumble under pressure: The kid who dominated domestic leagues suddenly struggles with pace; The pure shooter who looks lost against physical defense; The high-IQ player whose decision-making freezes under playoff heat.

Yang could face that reality too — especially if drafted late or pushed into minutes too soon.

draft position matters here… being picked at #34 might actually work in his favor. Less pressure on immediate production = more room to grow through development camps and G-League seasoning.

This isn’t about chasing stats overnight; it’s about building trust through consistency across seasons.

even if he never becomes an All-Star, there’s value in having one guy who runs pick-and-roll sets perfectly while reading defenses like chess masters do moves ahead.