Many NBA players have different stories for how they started playing basketball, but Portland Trail Blazers' rookie Yang Hansen's is unique.

To any Portland Trail Blazers fans who bought tickets to their final Summer League game against the Phoenix Suns, I sincerely apologize. Portland insider and Trail Blazers podcast host Danny Marang recently broke the news on Twitter that the Blazers are shutting down Yang Hansen after four Summer League appearances: League sources: The Trail Blazers are shutting down Yang Hansen at Summer League.

Hansen Yang shared that he started playing basketball not out of passion, but because his father urged him to get active and lose weight.

Yang Hansen's journey to the NBA began with his father's advice to lose weight. The 7-foot-1 center transformed from an overweight teen to a promising player, showcasing his skills in the Summer League.

Yang Hansen had an epic quote about what led him to start playing basketball. Hansen was the No. 16 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft and is now part of the Portland Trail Blazers.

Portland Trail Blazers rookie center Yang Hansen appeared excited to make his Summer League debut with his new team at 8 p.m. Friday against the Golden State Warriors. • WATCH: Blazers vs Warriors basketball live for free with Fubo (free trial),

Jun 25, 2025; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Yang Hansen walks to the stage after being selected as the 16th pick by the Memphis Grizzlies in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images / Brad Penner-Imagn Images