US expert ranks the top 40 centers for the new season: Yang Hansheng comes in at 25th, ahead of Ayton, Mark Williams, and Kessler.

On August 19 Beijing time, The Athletic’s Zach Harper released his rankings of the top 40 centers for the upcoming season. Yang Hansheng, who has yet to play a single regular season game, was placed at 25th. This position already puts him ahead of some well-known big men in the league, such as Lively, Okongwu, Ayton, Mark Williams, and Kessler, who all rank below him.

Regarding Yang Hansheng, Harper wrote: “That’s right, I’m already sold on Hansheng’s potential. Whether it takes time to prove it or not, I don’t really mind. Given his skills and size, I’m confident he can immediately be considered among the top 25 big men.”

It’s worth noting that Harper’s top 40 centers list for the new season does not include Yang Hansheng’s teammate, Clingan.

Yang Hansheng is the only rookie on the list, and he ranks higher than former Trail Blazers center Ayton (who is 30th). The top spot goes to Nuggets superstar Jokic, followed by Wembanyama, Embiid, Davis, and Adebayo, who are ranked second through fifth, respectively.

During this summer’s league, Yang Hansheng played four games, averaging 10.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 2.3 blocks per game.

Clingan—who was ranked fifth in a recent NBA rookie re-draft by expert Vecenie—averaged 19.8 minutes, 6.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks per game in his rookie season, earning a spot on the NBA All-Rookie Second Team.

Here is the full ranking of the top 40 centers according to Harper—

Ranks 1-10: 1. Jokic, 2. Wembanyama, 3. Embiid, 4. Davis, 5. Adebayo, 6. Towns, 7. Gobert, 8. Sengun, 9. Jaren Jackson Jr., 10. Sabonis;

Ranks 11-20: 11. Mobley, 12. Zubac, 13. Hartenstein, 14. Porzingis, 15. Holmgren, 16. Jarrett Allen, 17. Turner, 18. Gafford, 19. Vucevic, 20. Poeltl;

Ranks 21-30: 21. Naz Reid, 22. Claxton, 23. Duren, 24. Bitadze, 25. Yang Hansheng, 26. Mitchell Robinson, 27. Lively, 28. Ware, 29. Okongwu, 30. Ayton;

Ranks 31-40: 31. Brook Lopez, 32. Horford, 33. Mark Williams, 34. Drummond, 35. Kessler, 36. Edey, 37. Micic, 38. Adams, 39. Looney, 40. Sarr.

Do you think this TA expert Harper is overestimating Hansheng? Where do you believe Hansheng should rank among centers for the new season? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments.