Lillard speaks for the first time about Yang Hansheng: He has real talent and carries a confident spirit.

On July 22, Beijing time, after the Trail Blazers' press conference, Lillard was interviewed by official team reporter Casey Holdahl, discussing Yang Hansheng for the first time. Here are Lillard's impressions and evaluations of Yang Hansheng—

“To be honest, I didn't know much about him before; it was during my first year in Milwaukee that one of my assistants had coached him, which gave me some impression.”

“I remember when the Blazers selected him, that assistant spoke very highly of him, but I really hadn't watched him play much. Later, I observed his performance in the summer league and realized, ‘This kid is a player with real talent,’ especially considering the current style of the league—many strong teams need players who can take on playmaking responsibilities and drive the offense, and he possesses that ability, along with a confident spirit; he definitely has skills!”

“I think that's really important for a rookie, especially for a player from outside the U.S. They inevitably face challenges and pressure when they arrive in a new environment, and this confident mindset can be quite helpful. He not only has a distinct personality, but you can also see it from his playing style and intensity on the court.”

Earlier at the press conference, Blazers head coach Billups joked that Lillard would be the “highest-paid assistant coach in history” next season. Lillard himself also embraces this role; during his recovery, he will do his best to help the younger players on the team, including Henderson, Sharpe, and of course, Yang Hansheng, who has already made a good impression on him.

In the 2025 Summer League, Yang Hansheng averaged 10.8 points, 5 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.6 blocks per game. His next game for the Blazers should be in the preseason. The Blazers have announced their preseason schedule: October 9 (Beijing time, same below) away against the Warriors, October 11 at home against the Kings, October 15 at home against the Warriors, and October 17 away against the Jazz.