By Jason Cruz
NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY
Welcome to another edition of The Layup Drill. The NBA is returning this month!
Hansen Yang’s Rise in Portland
This October marks the return of the NBA and there are several players to keep an eye on. In Portland, 20-year-old talent Hansen Yang from China is settling into his new surroundings, and local fans are eager to connect with him. Selected in the first round of the NBA draft by the Blazers, Yang is creating quite a buzz.
Yang is still working on improving his English while adapting to life in the U.S. In a recent article for The Players’ Tribune, he expressed how he developed an interest in basketball.
“As a child, I was a bit overweight, and my parents introduced me to basketball to help me stay fit… haha!” he shared. Initially, he wasn’t fond of the sport, having moved away from his parents at age 10 to attend a sports academy. His father, a big basketball enthusiast, encouraged him to pursue basketball training.
Yang admitted that he wasn’t very drawn to basketball at first, finding others more talented and faster than him, preferring video games to basketball study. There was even a moment when he thought about quitting. However, he grew in size and skill during high school and started taking the sport seriously after watching NBA stars like two-time MVP Nikola Jokic.
In his late teens, he earned the nickname “Handsome Young” due to the pronunciation of his last name, Yang, which sounds like “Young,” and his first name, Hansen. This led to merchandise featuring the “Handsome Young” branding for Yang.
Yang improved continuously, playing in China’s top league, the Chinese Basketball Association, by age 18. Notably, he doesn’t have a driver’s license, opting to walk everywhere in Portland while sampling various Chinese restaurants nearby.
Fans in Portland are thrilled about their rookie from China. The Blazers’ merchandise sales skyrocketed by 813% since last year, largely driven by the popularity of Yang’s jersey. Additionally, the team’s social media presence has grown on Chinese platforms since his draft.
In related news, the owners of Panda Express, Andrew and Peggy Cherng, have acquired a stake in the Portland franchise as part of a group that purchased the Blazers from the estate of Paul G. Allen.
Kings Announce Sponsorship with Phoong Law
Keep an eye on the Sacramento Kings’ jersey patch sponsor this season, which is significant as it marks the first time an AAPI woman-owned law firm has sponsored an NBA team. The NBA has allowed these patch partnerships since the 2017-2018 season to generate additional revenue.
The partnership aligns with the Kings’ mission to promote gender equity and community impact through various initiatives. The patch will be displayed on the left front strap of the players’ jerseys.
“As a proud woman entrepreneur from Sacramento, this partnership is very personal to me,” stated Anh Phoong, Founder and CEO of Phoong Law, upon announcing the collaboration. Portions of jersey sales this season will support Single Mom Strong, Inc., which empowers single mothers and their children, and My Sister’s House, a nonprofit addressing domestic violence and related issues.
Phoong Law is a personal injury firm with a presence in California and Nevada.
Clarkson Joins the Knicks
The New York Knicks have signed Jordan Clarkson, who previously spent five seasons with the Utah Jazz. He learned about the Knicks’ offer while watching Wimbledon in London. Entering his 12th NBA season, Clarkson was attracted to the Knicks by the vibrant atmosphere at Madison Square Garden.
Clarkson, whose mother is Filipino, has celebrated his heritage since joining the NBA. He has represented the Philippines in the FIBA Basketball World Cup and is open to playing for them if they qualify for the Olympics.
At the Knicks media day, Clarkson sported a traditional barong tagalog, a Filipino garment. Rumor has it he is dating Filipina tennis player Alexandra Eala, who recently performed well at the U.S. Open in New York.
Jason can be reached at newstips@nwasianweekly.com.
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