Yang Hansen: The national team worried about injuries, so I sat out the Asian Cup. My goal for the new season is to perform well in every game.

On September 30th, at the Portland Trail Blazers media day, Chinese player Yang Hansen took new official photos and spoke to the media. During the off-season, he focused on improving his English. While communicating with teammates on the court is manageable, he still relies on a translator during interviews. Here is the full interview —

Reporter: “What food do you like most in Portland?”

Yang Hansen: “Uh… hotpot.”

Reporter: “The NBA will hold two games in China this year. I want to ask: do you hope more NBA games will be hosted in China in the future? Would you like to one day play in China with the Trail Blazers?”

Yang Hansen: “I think if in the future I can bring the Trail Blazers back to China to play, that would be an honor for me. Being able to showcase myself in front of my hometown fans on such a great platform, with the Trail Blazers being such a great team, is very exciting. Whether it’s playing back home or here, it’s a wonderful experience.”

Reporter: “Hansen, you did not represent China’s men’s basketball team at the Asian Cup this summer. What was the reason behind that decision?”

Yang Hansen: “Last year I played a full season in the CBA, and after the league ended, I packed my bags and came to the U.S. for the draft. Then I trained in Los Angeles, had 27 days of tryouts with 14 teams, plus playing Summer League with the Trail Blazers. I didn’t get a break for a long time. The national team was worried I hadn’t rested enough and might get injured, so they asked me to take a break.”

Reporter: “Do you plan or hope to represent China in major international tournaments like the Olympics or the FIBA World Cup later in your career?”

Yang Hansen: “I think that’s the proudest thing for any athlete — to stand on the Olympic stage. I can’t say I’ll be perfect, but I’ll do my best in every aspect and hope to contribute as much as I can to the national team.”

Reporter: “Hansen, since the Summer League ended, which skills have you been focusing on improving? How has the process of getting familiar with your teammates been?”

Yang Hansen: “You know the saying, ‘You don’t hit a smiling face,’ right? So I smile and even if I make mistakes, I don’t get punished.”

Reporter: “How is your English learning going? Is the process smooth?”

Yang Hansen: “I think my English is still quite poor; sometimes it’s still Chinglish.”

Reporter: “Why do you like passing? Where did you learn your passing skills?”

Yang Hansen: “Sometimes after watching highlight reels, I think about whether I can apply those moves in games. As for passing, my skills are average, and I make quite a few turnovers.”

Reporter: “During the limited practice sessions with your teammates over the past few weeks, what adjustments do you think you’ve made? And what major adjustments do you think you still need to make for the new season?”

Yang Hansen: “I think the NBA pace is faster and the physicality is stronger. On the court, I need better English communication skills. So I have to adapt.”

Reporter: “What aspects of your new teammates’ playing styles on the court have impressed you? How is your on-court chemistry with them?”

Yang Hansen: “I follow the lead of the veterans.”

Reporter: “Currently, one-third of NBA players are international, but China, as a large market, hasn’t produced a high-impact NBA player for many years. How did you handle the pressure and expectations on and off the court while growing up? How do you plan to deal with these pressures in the future?”

Yang Hansen: “For me and my career, just being here is a huge honor and happiness. But before doing anything, I don’t think too much. I focus on training and playing well in every game and practice with the veterans.”

Reporter: “What is your goal for your rookie season?”

Yang Hansen: “To play well in every game and cherish every moment.”

Reporter: “In an article by ‘Star Stand,’ you mentioned trying to apply psychological pressure on opponents during draft tryouts. Will you still do that when practicing with your new teammates in the off-season?”

Yang Hansen: “We are good brothers now; they are my friends and brothers, so I won’t do that anymore.”

Reporter: “Hansen, considering Scoot Henderson’s injury, have you thought about your playmaking abilities? As a rookie, what do you think you can do to help organize the team’s offense?”

Yang Hansen: “I can’t say how much help I can provide; I just do my best in everything — make good passes, grab rebounds, and contribute to the team.”