ZHUJI (China) - Yang Hansen has written his very own moment in international play after pulling China past Lebanon in a thrilling conclusion to Window 4 of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers.
The incoming NBA sophomore with the Portland Trail Blazers nailed the game-winning layup with 2.2 seconds left as he and Team Dragon executed Coach Guo Shiqiang's play to perfection for the 89-87 victory.
Big thanks to him, the traditional Asian contenders not only avenged their Asia Cup 2022 defeat to the Cedars but they have also accomplished a 2-game sweep of the window to hike their card to 5-3.
And that game-winner capped off what has been his best window with China to date.
Window 4 of the World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers
Yes, Window 4 was easily his best yet. In their vengeful win against the visiting Lebanese, Yang went nearly perfect from the floor with an 8-of-9 clip, finishing with 19 points and 9 rebounds plus 3 assists.
He finished this week's games with averages of 17.0 points and 9.0 rebounds, together 2.0 assists and 1.5 blocks as the 21-year-old center finished 15 and 9 plus 2 swars in their rout of Qatar last Thursday in Al Wakrah.
Window 3 of the World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers
Window 4 was indeed a major improvement for Yang performance-wise after a sub-par showing during the previous window last July, in which they saved their World Cup hopes by eliminating Chinese Taipei.
That output he had against Lebanon was already his scoring total in Window 3, although their extremely crucial win against the aforementioned opponent was somehow a signal of better things to come. for him.
There, he was able to finish in double figures with 10 points together with 4 rebounds, an assist, a steal, and a block in 17 minutes to wrap up his first Team China stint since the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers.
Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers
Game(s) | Min | PTS | FG | OREB | DREB | REB | AST | STL | BLK | +/- | EFF |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
19 | 13 | 6/9 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 25 | 15 | |
11 | 2 | 0/4 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | -8 | 2 | |
19 | 16 | 7/8 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 15 | 24 | |
18 | 2 | 1/11 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 11 | 9 | |
2 | 0 | 0/0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | |
17 | 19 | 7/9 | 4 | 6 | 10 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 15 | 24 | |
AVERAGE | 14.6 | 8.7 | 3.5/5.2 | 1.2 | 3.5 | 4.7 | 1.8 | 0.7 | 1.0 | 10.3 | 12.3 |
The 2025 Asia Cup Qualifiers was actually his first taste of the FIBA senior level and although it was quite a bit of a roller-coaster ride for him, that competition offered glimpses of how integral he could be for China.
Ih fact, he had a solid debut when he had 13 points in their win against Mongolia, and went on to submit fine showings in their victories over the competitive Guam, including a 19-point showing in the final window.
Fast forward to now and he's tied his men's team career-high with a standout performance against Lebanon, showcasing that competing against some of Asia's best teams pushes him to be at his best as well.
And for sure, Yang has no plans of resting on his laurels anytime soon.
FIBA