For Ivan Yang, the move from Division III basketball at Hiram College to the professional level in Hong Kong was not a dramatic leap. Rather, it was a gradual process of adjustment, opportunity, and proving himself in a completely new environment.

After graduating from Hiram College in 2025, Yang signed a professional contract with Hong Kong Eastern, a team based in his hometown. His connection with the club actually started a year earlier, when he was invited to try out while still playing at Hiram. 

That early opportunity turned into something important. 

"I was also placed on the youth team, which allowed me to gain experience by training and traveling with both the first team and the youth squad," Yang said. 

Instead of stepping directly into a roster spot, Yang spent time learning the structure of the organization as he practiced, traveled, and competed in tournaments. During that stretch, he contributed to back-to-back bronze medal finishes in tournaments in Shanghai and Chengde. By the time he graduated, the transition to the first team felt more like a continuation than a jump. 

He officially signed his contract in September 2024 and has since completed his first professional season. In his rookie year, Yang lifted Hong Kong Eastern to its third A1 League Championship tallying 11 points and seven rebounds as a starter in the final game of a best-of-five series against Tycoon. 

The differences between Division III basketball and the professional level showed up quickly. 

"The game at the professional level in Hong Kong is much faster, more physical, and requires a higher level of consistency every day…at the professional level, every possession matters, and I have to be locked in mentally at all times," Yang said. 

Yang also pointed to style differences. His current team runs a system influenced by European basketball, emphasizing ball movement and spacing rather than isolation play. That shift required him to think differently about how he contributes on offense. 

"Offensively, we emphasize sharing the ball and playing together as a unit to create the best possible shot. In the United States, there are moments where the game can rely more on individual play, such as one-on-one situations and creating own shots." 

One of the realities of playing professionally has been understanding his place within a roster that includes veterans and experienced imports. 

"(It's important to) earn your role and proving yourself every day, especially as a younger player. My goal is to always show the older guys and the coaching staff that I can impact the game in different ways and do all the dirty work that could put the team in the best position to win," Yang said. 

That has meant focusing less on scoring and more on doing whatever the team needs. Defense, rebounding, effort plays, and things that do not always show up in the box score. 

That mindset connects directly to his former role at Hiram. Over four seasons, Yang's minutes and production steadily increased. By his senior year, he was playing a career-high 24.7 minutes per game while eclipsing the 500-point and 500 rebound plateaus. His Hiram career reflects a player who went out each and every day with a team-first mindset. 

Yang does not point to one moment at Hiram that changed everything. Instead, he describes his four years as where things started to make sense, both in how he played and how he approached the game day-to-day. 

Hiram College played a major role in my development as a basketball player. It was where I really began to understand the game at a deeper level and where I developed both my skills and my mindset," Yang said. 

He credits much of that to the coaching staff, who were involved in every part of his progression from on-court development to strength training to overall accountability. 

"I'm very grateful for all the coaches who helped me throughout that journey… Each of them played an important role in my growth, whether it was on the court, off the court, in the weight room, or through mentorship and guidance. They all pushed me to improve every day and helped shape me into the player and person I am today," Yang said. 

Beyond basketball, Yang points to the environment at Hiram College as something that had a lasting impact. Yang was a two-time NCAC Scholar-Athlete Award winner (2023, 2025), and was also involved with Student Senate, the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and served as an International Peer Assistant. 

"What I miss most about Hiram is honestly everything — the community, the friendships, and the relationships I built with my coaches, the athletic department, professors, and the dining hall staff. It was such a close-knit environment, and those daily interactions meant a lot to me," Yang said. 

Hiram College will forever hold a place in Yang's remarkable journey to the professional ranks. His impact continues to be felt, whether it's in Northeast Ohio or Hong Kong.

"It's something special that you don't fully realize until you leave. Hiram taught me so many important lessons, both on and off the court. It helped me grow as a person by teaching me discipline, responsibility, and how to build meaningful relationships. Being in that environment also showed me the importance of appreciating the people around you and not taking those moments for granted."