Yang Hansen Photo: VCG

In a moment that blended humor with humility, rising Chinese basketball star Yang Hansen smiled and said, "I love you too," after Pelicans' former No.1 pick Zion Williamson praised his performance from the sidelines during an NBA Summer League clash, saying, "Man, I really love his game."

While some remain cautious about whether Yang can handle the rigors of a full NBA season, his witty reply may be the clearest snapshot yet of his breakout Summer League showing. After being unexpectedly selected 16th overall by the Portland Trail Blazers in this year's draft, Yang has posted double-digit scoring in all three appearances.

In his latest game against the Pelicans on July 16, he recorded 15 points, three rebounds and two assists. Over three games, he has tallied 35 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists and six blocks - highlighting his versatility as a modern stretch big who can space the floor, defend the paint and facilitate offense.

After the game, Yang credited his teammates: "We had great chemistry today. Everyone stayed united, and we fought hard to hold the lead down the stretch."

Portland's coaching staff has taken notice. Head coach Chauncey Billups praised Yang's passing, competitiveness and toughness, calling him a valuable team player with strong physical tools and the kind of resilience "that can't be taught."

Despite the praise, Yang has yet to fully capture mainstream NBA media attention. Su Qun, one of China's top basketball commentators, told the Global Times the early media silence reflects perception more than performance. "There wasn't much buzz after the first two games. It wasn't until the third that we saw some cautious praise."

That caution is evident even before the draft. NBA Analysis Network has projected Yang to go 38th overall. After his Summer League debut, NBC Sports remarked, "That went better than expected," but added Yang "still has a long way to go to prove he can hang in an NBA rotation." Even after three solid games, outlets like Bleacher Report are only beginning to explore the story behind his surprise rise.

Su compared Yang's growth to that of Pelicans center Derik Queen and Portland teammate Yves Missi. "Yang exceeded expectations. But his NBA-ready skills don't appear overnight - they're the result of three years of youth training and pro experience with the CBA's Qingdao team," he said. He used a vivid metaphor to describe Yang's potential: "It's like he brought a large bucket of water to the NBA. What Portland saw was the size of that bucket - his capacity for growth."

Yang's passing has long been a standout. He also showed increased confidence in his three-point shooting during the Summer League, commented Chinese outlet Dongqiudi.

"He showed a lot of facets to his game," said Portland Summer League coach Ronnie Burrell, per NBC Sports. "He's versatile and skilled. I liked that he was having fun. He was loose, relaxed and tough. He made some amazing plays."

That "fun" was on full display. After sinking a deep three, Yang covered his face and grinned toward the bench - an inside joke with teammate Carlton Carrington. Chinese journalist Zhou Peng revealed the two had bet on pulling off the move before the game.

Off the court, Yang has remained easygoing, as seen in his lighthearted exchange with Williamson. Though still developing his English, his humor and confidence have begun to resonate with fans.

Online, basketball fans have already embraced him with memes and viral videos. Some have nicknamed him "Baby Jokic" for the resemblance of his game to Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic, and a fan video of him on a flight has garnered over tens of thousands likes.

Su attributes Yang's popularity to a personality that stands out from earlier generations. "He's different from Yao Ming or Yi Jianlian," Su said. "This generation grew up communicating with foreign teammates in the CBA. Yang's exposure to English and international environments has made the NBA transition less intimidating."

Still, questions remain about Yang's long-term role. After a back-to-back game on Sunday, he admitted, "Low-post play is much tougher here. I need time to adjust and grow."

And while fans in both China and the US are buzzing, Yang remains grounded. "I wouldn't say I became famous overnight. I still have a long way to go. I'm grateful for the love, but I have to earn that support with hard work."

"His conditioning needs work, and his body still needs to develop," Su added. "But I think both Chinese fans and Yang himself are willing to be patient."