2025 rookie preseason report: 3 players were unable to play, and Yang Hansen beat many high-ranking players

As the NBA preseason progresses, the 2025 rookies are making their career debuts, and their early performance has become the first reference for the outside world to evaluate each team's draft vision. Among them, the Chinese player Yang Hansen, who was selected by the Portland Trail Blazers with the 16th overall pick in the first round, caused widespread heated discussion with his outstanding performance in the first two games, averaging 10 points and 4 rebounds per game, especially his efficient performance in the second game against the Kings. When we turn our attention to the 15 lottery and quasi-lottery rookies ranked in front of him, a diverse rookie ecological picture slowly unfolds. Some people quickly realize their talents and sit firmly in the rotation, while others are still adapting and waiting for opportunities. In a horizontal comparison with these higher-ranked players, Yang Hansen's performance not only did not fall behind, but even surpassed some of his predecessors in terms of immediate combat ability, which initially proved that the Trail Blazers' choice was worth the money.

Among this rookie class, the one with the most eye-catching scoring performance is undoubtedly Bailey, the fifth overall pick. Playing for the Utah Jazz, he became the scoring leader among all rookies with an astonishing average of 22.5 points and 6.5 rebounds per game in the two preseason games he played, showing his strong explosive scoring power. The performance of No. 1 pick Flagg and No. 2 pick Harper was stable, in line with outside expectations. Flagg scored 10 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists in one game for the Mavericks, while Harper contributed 9 points to the Spurs. They are more adapting to the system and did not fully fire up in the preseason. In addition, Knipel, the fourth overall pick, won the starting position with the Hornets and averaged 13 points per game. The solid starts of these high-ranking rookies together constitute the head strength of this draft class and also set a benchmark for other rookies to catch up to.

The performance of international players is also a highlight of this draft. Among the four international players ranked in front of Yang Hansen, Edgcomb, the third overall pick from the Bahamas, has adapted best to the 76ers. He averaged 12 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists in two games. He showed his all-round skills and has basically locked in a stable rotation position. In comparison, South Sudan's Maruachi averaged 7 points per game for the Suns, and France's Essenger averaged 5 points per game for the Bulls. Their performance is still being adjusted. The No. 8 pick Yegor Demin from Russia has yet to get a chance to play. Putting Yang Hansen in this group of international players for comparison, his scoring average and on-court influence currently appear to be second only to No. 3 overall pick Edgcomb. This is a quite positive sign for a player who was only selected with the 16th overall pick.

Taken together, not all high-ranking rookies can shine immediately in the preseason. Except for the No. 8 pick Jieming who has not yet appeared, no clear game data has been found for the players ranked 6, 11, 13, and 15. Part of this is due to the depth of the team's rotation, and part of it may also be that individual players have not yet fully reached the state of the game or are injured. In contrast, Yang Hansen not only received stable playing time, but also seized the opportunity in the second game and performed convincingly. Although there is still room for improvement in foul control, his immediate combat ability and comprehensive technical characteristics on the court have put him in a relatively advantageous position in this early rookie ranking battle. His opening performance has surpassed at least five players who were drafted before him but have not yet appeared. His subsequent development deserves continued attention.