Best Chinese Players With NBA Potential, November 2026

November 10, 2026. Yang Hansen is the only Chinese player on an NBA roster right now. Here is a compact ranking of the Chinese players with the most realistic NBA paths, based on current roles and verified numbers.

None of the college or CBA names below appear on our current 2027 NBA mock draft. That mock order is estimated from standings, and traded picks are not reflected.

1. Yang Hansen, C

21, 7-1, 270 | Portland Trail Blazers Portland's 2025 first-rounder (No. 16, rights traded from Memphis) is already in the league. In six games this season he is averaging 4.7 points and 3.3 rebounds in 10.2 minutes (47.1% FG). On Nov. 7 he posted career highs of 12 points and 10 rebounds in 26 minutes against San Antonio. As a rookie he played 43 games and averaged 2.2 points in 7.0 minutes, shooting 31.0% from the field and 11.9% from three. Portland picked up his 2027-28 team option on Oct. 29. NBA outlook: He has a roster spot and a better early shooting line, but the sample is six games, and last year's jumper was a problem. The next step is steady rotation minutes.

2. Cui Yongxi, SG

23, 6-5, 190 | Guangdong Southern Tigers (CBA) Cui went undrafted in 2024, signed a two-way with Brooklyn, and played five NBA games (2.0 minutes, 0.6 points). He tore his left ACL in the G League in December 2024 and was waived. After returning on March 15, 2026, he averaged 7.4 points in 17.3 minutes over 15 CBA games last season. This season, through eight games: 7.9 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 22.0 minutes (47.6% FG). His last full, healthy CBA year was 2023-24: 15.7 points, 6.0 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 50 games. NBA outlook: He has already debuted. The question is whether the pre-injury wing game comes back. Another NBA look is possible; it is not promised.

3. Zeng Fanbo, F

23, 6-11 | Beijing Ducks (CBA) Brooklyn signed Zeng to an Exhibit 10 deal in 2025 and waived him on Oct. 15, 2025. He is back in Beijing. His best CBA season was 2024-25: 14.7 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.5 blocks in 37 games, shooting 52.6% from the field and 40.5% from three. This season, through eight games: 8.8 points and 3.1 rebounds in 18.5 minutes (54.3% FG, 37.5% from three). NBA outlook: The size-and-shooting profile still fits a modern bench wing. He has not stuck on an NBA roster, so the next window is likely another training camp.

4. Wang Junjie, F

6-9, 250 | UMass (previously San Francisco) Wang is the most advanced Chinese player in the NCAA right now. At San Francisco last season he averaged 8.5 points and 3.0 rebounds in 33 games (24 starts), shooting 42.6% from the field and 34.2% from three. Through two games at UMass he has 12.5 points and 9.5 rebounds in 28.5 minutes, a tiny sample. NBA outlook: A 2027 draft entry is the natural checkpoint if the larger role holds. He is not on our current 2027 board.

5. Zhang Boyuan, F

19, 6-9, 220 | Louisville (freshman) Zhang, born Jan. 22, 2007, in Changchun, signed with Louisville in June 2026 after a year at Veritas Academy. Louisville lists him as a four-star wing who averaged 20.2 points in 14 games there, then 14.7 points and 5.1 rebounds for China at the 2025 FIBA U19 World Cup (42.2% FG). The official Cardinals page does not yet list college stats. NBA outlook: Highest long-term upside in the college group because of age and size. He can first enter the draft after this season, in 2027.

6. Li Yuezhou, G

19, 6-2, 176 | Zhejiang Golden Bulls (CBA) Li, born April 9, 2007, is already in a professional backcourt. In 41 CBA games last season he averaged 5.8 points and 1.8 assists in 16.7 minutes (36.2% FG, 27.5% from three). He has played two games this season; that sample is too small to use. NBA outlook: The age is interesting. The shooting and size are not there yet. A later declaration, not the 2027 first round, is the honest path.

What to watch

• Yang's minutes. If the Nov. 7 line against San Antonio becomes a trend, Portland has a useful reserve center. If he slips back to 3-to-7 minutes, this is still a development year.
• Cui's usage. Eight games of 22 minutes is a healthier role than last spring's return. A full season closer to his 2023-24 level would restart NBA interest.
• The college calendar. Wang's full UMass season and Zhang's freshman year are the 2027 draft tells. Neither is in our live 2027 mock today.

Older CBA stars were left off this list on purpose. The question here is NBA potential from here, not career accomplishment in China.

Sources

• Yang Hansen, Basketball-Reference and NBA.com / Trail Blazers
• Cui Yongxi, Basketball-Reference (NBA) and international
• Zeng Fanbo, Basketball-Reference; Hoops Rumors on the Nets waiver
• Wang Junjie, Sports-Reference and UMass bio
• Zhang Boyuan, Louisville bio
• Li Yuezhou, Basketball-Reference
• RookieRanks 2027 NBA mock draft