NBA Chinese Player Draft: From the No. 1 pick to the end of the first round, who is the real "pick king"?

From Yao Ming's No. 1 pick to Yi Jianlian's lottery show, to Yang Hansen's 16th pick in the first round, the history of Chinese basketball players entering the American professional basketball team is a struggle history from a low pick to a high pick breakthrough! Today, let’s look at this history and see who is the real dragon and who is the regret!

1. Yao Ming (2002 No. 1 pick) - the ceiling of Chinese basketball, Asia's only NBA No. 1 pick

Yao Ming needs no more. In 2002, the Rockets selected him with the No. 1 pick, directly rewrite the history of Asian basketball. 8 years of NBA career, 8 All-Stars, 25+9 in the peak season, and is a sure top center in the league. He averaged 32+19 games in his last season in the CBA, with a shooting percentage of 72%. This data is now at the alien level. Unfortunately, his injury caused him to retire early, otherwise his achievements would have been higher. If I want to say, Yao Ming is not only the highest-ranking Chinese player, but also the most successful NBA player in Chinese basketball history, no doubt about it!

2. Yi Jianlian (No. 6th pick in 2007) - The talent was overwhelmed but destroyed by injuries and personality

UAE was highly expected that year, and was selected by the Bucks with the 6th pick in the first round. He also won the rookie of the month in the rookie season. Unfortunately, I have constant injuries and my personality is too boring and I can't communicate with my teammates and coaches. I finally came back after playing in the NBA for 5 years. He averaged 12+7 per game in the peak season. If he were in the current small ball era, he might have been able to do better. However, UAE is still the second highest draft pick in Chinese players after Yao Ming, which is undoubtedly the first!

3. Yang Hansen (16th pick in 2025) - China Hope in the New Era 2025 Draft, the Trail Blazers selected Yang Hansen with the 16th pick in the first round, becoming the third first-round Chinese player after Yao Ming and Yi Jianlian. This guy averaged 16+10+3+2.6 caps in the CBA, with a three-point shooting percentage of 37.5% during the trial training. He is optimistic that he can become a supportive modern center. If he can gain a foothold in the NBA, he may be able to surpass UAE and become the most successful Chinese NBA player since Yao Ming.

4. Li Kaier (No. 30th pick in 2014) - NBA path for naturalized players

Although Li Kaier is a naturalized player, he was indeed selected by the NBA as a Chinese player. He was selected by the Spurs with the 30th pick in the first round in 2014. He has been in many teams in 11 seasons in his career, and averaged 12.4+5.7+3.6 blocks per game in his peak season. His pick is higher than pure local players such as Wang Zhizhi and Sun Yue, which is considered a move in the internationalization of Chinese basketball.

5. Wang Zhizhi (No. 36th pick in 1999) - the first Asian player to enter the NBA, but missed the peak because of the "release storm". Dazhi was really arrogant in the CBA that year, with averaging 25+8 per game, the core of the Bayi Dynasty. In 1999, the Mavericks (also called Mavericks at the time) beat him in the 36th pick in the second round. As a result, the Basketball Association and Bayi team refused to let go and delayed for two years before they could let him go. By the time Dazhi really arrived in the NBA, the best period of football gains has passed, and he can only be a marginal rotation in the NBA, averaging 4.4 points and 1.7 rebounds per game. If he had let it go earlier, he might have achieved higher achievements.

Conclusion: Draft pick is just the starting point. The real test is in the NBA arena, from Yao Ming's No. 1 pick to Yang Hansen's 16th pick in the first round, the NBA draft history of Chinese players is a history of struggle. Some have become legends, some have become regrets, but no matter what, they have opened up the path for Chinese basketball.