Unlike most NBA players who develop their passion for basketball early, Portland Trail Blazers first-round draft pick Yang Hansen didn’t take to the sport until he was about 13. “Before that, he didn’t want to run so much,

The Trail Blazers surprised the NBA when they drafted Yang Hansen in the first round, and the rookie proved that he could be a fan favorite.

Chinese basketball star Yang Hansen turned 20 on Thursday, but the best birthday gift he could ask for arrived a day earlier: putting on the NBA draft cap after being picked in the first round.