The most recent draftee was Zhou Qi, selected 43rd overall by the Houston Rockets in 2016. In 2024, another Chinese player Cui Yongxi made five appearances for the Brooklyn Nets during the 2024–25 NBA season before returning to China after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.

With the new arrival of 20-year-old Yan, a 7-foot-1(2.16-meters) forward-center, a new chapter is now opening for Chinese players in the NBA. Yang has quickly risen through the ranks of former CBA standouts, earning widespread recognition for his two-way dominance on both ends of the court.

He was named the CBA Rising Star of the Year in back-to-back seasons (2023–24 and 2024–25) and twice earned spots on both the All-CBA Domestic First Team and the CBA All-Star roster.