China's Yang Hansen taken 16th overall in NBA draft by Memphis Grizzlies
Yang Hansen was selected 16th overall by the Memphis Grizzlies in the NBA draft in New York on Wednesday, just the eighth Chinese player to ever be drafted.
Yang had been tipped to go early in the second round, but the 7ft 2in centre had seen his stock rise considerably over the past few weeks after working out for several teams.
The 19-year-old, who turns 20 on Thursday, had been compared to compatriot Wang Zhizhi, who played for the Dallas Mavericks, the Los Angeles Clippers and the Miami Heat sparingly from 2000 to 2005, although only Yi Jianlian had been rated higher among previous Chinese players who entered the draft.
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