Yang Hansen selected for the NBA All-Star Rookie Game! But he is classified as a G League player

The NBA officially released the full roster for this year’s Rookie Game, including Yang Hansen.

First-year players:

Flagg (Mavericks), Knepper (Hornets), Achukum (76ers), Coward (Grizzlies), Quinn (Pelicans), Tre Johnson (Wizards), Dylan Harper (Spurs), Boyles (Raptors), Jemin (Nets), Fells (Pelicans)

Second-year players:

Buzelis (Bulls), Kastle (Spurs), Klingen (Blazers), KeShawn George (Wizards), Ajayi Mitchell (Thunder), Sarr (Wizards), Shepherd (Rockets), Cam Spencer (Grizzlies), Jalen Tyson (Cavaliers), Weir (Heat), Wells (Grizzlies).

Gua, McGrady, and Carter will serve as coaches, selecting from 21 players to form three teams.

At this point, some brothers might complain that this is clickbait from Di Ge.

What about Yang Hansen?

Don’t worry, his selection status is unique: representing the G League players team.

Seven G League players: Yang Hansen, Niedhauser, East II, Newton, Little Ron Harper, Martin, Garcia

The team’s head coach is Austin Rivers, son of Doc Rivers.

Di Ge has many loyal fans who might still think of the Rookie Game as the traditional first-year vs second-year format from years ago.

But in reality, the league has innovated a lot.

The Rookie Game no longer follows the standard 48-minute format; instead, it uses a target score system.

In the semifinals, the first team to reach 40 points wins; in the final, the first to 25 points wins.

Four teams play two semifinal games; the winners then compete in the final. The MVP is selected from the championship team.

The main event has also changed.

Two teams of U.S. domestic players compete against one international team.

The three teams play a round-robin format, with each game lasting 12 minutes, totaling four games. Each team consists of at least eight players.

Game 1: USA Team A vs USA Team B (12 minutes)

Game 2: Winner of Game 1 vs World Team (12 minutes)

Game 3: Loser of Game 1 vs World Team (12 minutes)

Game 4 (Final): The top two teams in the round-robin standings compete for the championship (12 minutes).

If all three teams finish with a 1-1 record, the two with the best point differential advance to the final.

The All-Star Game is an entertainment event, but if we only consider skill level, it’s a high-stakes showdown:

Doncic, Jokic, Alexander, Giannis, and Wembanyama will be on the same team, making it irrelevant whether it’s USA Team A or B...

However, expecting these veterans to play with full intensity is nearly impossible.

So, let’s get back to our own Yang Hansen.

Many fans criticize that he was selected mainly because of his Chinese player status and popularity.

This judgment is somewhat unfair.

Yang played eight games with the Tornado City Mix team and was indeed a key player.

He averaged 17 points, 9.3 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 1.4 blocks per game, fully deserving a spot in the Rookie Challenge.

But if you ask me to put his name alongside Yao Ming or Yi Jianlian and talk extensively about the historical significance and legacy of Chinese basketball, that would be awkward...

No need for overpraising.

Halfway through the season, how do we evaluate Yang Hansen’s performance? He hasn’t met the expectations of a 16th pick.

To be blunt, Di Ge thinks he more closely resembles a 46th pick...

We’ve written a lot about him over the past few months.

All I can say is, he still needs to work hard!

Hopefully, next year when he makes the Rookie Game again, he will be part of the second-year roster...