Yang Hansen: Only 400 people in the world play in the NBA; playing time must be earned, not demanded.

On January 10th Beijing time, in the third episode of Yang Hansen’s documentary "Leaping into the Vast - Rookie Season," Yang discussed his present condition, with two team journalists offering their updated opinions on him.

In this episode, Yang was posed the question: If you fail to secure stable minutes this season, are you able to accept that fact?

Yang responded, “Yes, these things have to be fought for; you can’t just demand something and expect to get it. If it were that easy, there wouldn’t be only 400 people playing in the NBA worldwide.”

He also said, “These are all part of basketball and adapting to a new environment. You need to face it, gradually improve yourself, and slowly climb up. It’s not something that happens overnight.”

Blazers reporter Holdahl mentioned Yang’s growth. He said, “I truly believe that in the past few games, Yang has shown the progress he’s made this season through his time in the development league and with the main team. In the NBA, you have to earn your minutes yourself. His positive impact on the court gives confidence about the future. As we move into 2026 and the season progresses, you’ll see the team start to focus more on Yang, allowing him to take on more critical moments in games.”

Holdahl then gave an example: “During the game against the Celtics, there was a moment that perfectly reflected Yang’s growth this season. The ball was moving around the perimeter with little time left on the shot clock and not many players moving around the ball. Yang stood near the three-point line, actively signaling for the ball. When he received it, he confidently took the shot and made it. This showed the confidence he’s been building in himself, because three weeks ago, he wouldn’t have been that confident to shoot, and at that moment, he probably wouldn’t have even asked for the ball.”

Another Blazers reporter, Highkin, reflected, “If in a few years he becomes the player people hoped for on draft night, looking back at this period will make everything clear. You’ll see how he evolved from a raw rookie step by step to where he is now. It will be a beautiful story of growth, and the key is perseverance over the long term, even while facing setbacks in the present.”

Let us wish Yang continued progress in the new year, more opportunities, and a true foothold in the NBA.