[4][5] The unfancied Chung-Ang team managed to finish runners-up in the U-League table and were knocked out of the play-offs in the semi-final stage.

Despite being passed over for the College Rookie of the Year Award, Yang drew attention as the only freshman to average 20 or more points.

[5][7][8] He was almost drafted by Changwon LG Sakers, but they had traded their pick and another player to Busan KT Sonicboom in exchange for Cho Sung-min in an agreement before the 2017–18 season.

Yang began to establish himself as a starter during the 2018-19 season, often contributing points in the double digits together with Heo.

While he continued a fruitful scoring partnership with Heo, he came under criticism for neglecting his defensive duties and for his inconsistent form.

[23] In January, during the loss against Daegu KOGAS Pegasus, he achieved his second triple-double (scoring 28 or more points), becoming only the third domestic player in KBL history to do so after Hur Jae and Hyun Joo-yup.

[29][30] He was ultimately cut from the final 12-man squad for the World Cup as coach Kim Sang-shik opted for a more experienced line-up.

The brothers had declared for the 2017 draft together but Yang Sung-hoon went undrafted and ultimately continued with his university education.