Translated as Hansen’s statement: We were truly shocked by the real NBA. His hard work should not be easily dismissed.

On November 5th Beijing time, Yang Hansen’s translator Liu Yucheng posted on social media to address recent rumors about his joining the Trail Blazers coaching team and to defend Hansen. Below is his full statement—

First, I want to express gratitude for everyone’s ongoing concern and support for Hansen. Some focus has also fallen on me, which truly makes me feel somewhat flattered.

Today, we trained at the facility all day, feeling a bit dazed and confused… How did I suddenly become a member of the coaching staff after just one nap and a full day of practice?

My primary job in the U.S. is to translate for Hansen, helping him integrate with the team and improve his English. I am actually a huge basketball fan myself. On the court, you might see me passing or grabbing rebounds while other players warm up because Hansen is now capable of watching game footage and communicating with coaches on his own. At the training facility, this is my routine—whether it’s the medical room or the gym, Hansen can handle those independently. So the “boss” has given me plenty of free time. Since I’m not someone who likes to stay idle, that led to the so-called “coaching staff” role. I did the same when I was a translator for Qingdao in the CBA. I will continue to cherish and enjoy the opportunity to grow alongside top players in a premier league.

Recently, there have been some differing opinions about Hansen online, and some have even used me to criticize him. Here, I want to share a few honest thoughts.

Having experienced both the CBA and NBA with Hansen, we share some common feelings—being stunned by the true intensity and speed of the NBA, having our long-held basketball concepts shattered and rebuilt… In a short time, we absorbed an overwhelming amount of information and challenges, and witnessed firsthand how vast the gap is: speed, physicality, awareness, reaction, consistency, and more. This is not something that effort alone can quickly bridge. As the first witness to his NBA journey, I just want to say that the effort he has put in should not be lightly dismissed by anyone.

I am grateful to have had the chance to accompany Hansen as he strives to overcome this gap. In the future, more young Chinese players will walk this path called “chasing dreams,” which may involve many unknown hardships, tears of frustration, endless sweat, and deep feelings of helplessness and despair… But at least we all still have dreams and are working hard for them.

As a professional athlete, performance on the court comes first. Hansen is not someone who likes to show off how hard he works, but he has been training diligently, thinking about how to close the gap, fighting for his playing time, and contributing to the team. I also ask everyone to maintain independent thinking and give him some patience.

Not seeking perfection, but striving to be true to oneself!