Summer League: 30 Teams, 30 Players to Watch! Yang Hansen Makes the List: Chinese Fans Eagerly Following His Progress

On July 9th Beijing time, the Las Vegas Summer League tips off tomorrow (July 10th). ESPN has highlighted a must-watch player per team, and for Portland, it's Yang Hansen. Here is ESPN's assessment——

"The Trail Blazers are the only team without a draft pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, so all eyes will once again be on the 2.16-meter Chinese big man—Yang Hansen, the 16th overall pick in the 2025 first round. The tall center played in the Las Vegas Summer League last year, averaging 10.8 points and 5 rebounds per game. The team selected him as a long-term project, but he had limited playing time in his rookie season and made little impact."

"For a player of his height, Yang possesses exceptional passing skills, but his defensive awareness and lateral quickness still need improvement if he wants to earn more playing time on a Trail Blazers team aiming for consecutive playoff appearances. Countless basketball fans back in China have been closely following his development: one of his Summer League games in 2025 drew 5.2 million domestic viewers."

Yang Hansen has already arrived in Las Vegas, with fans sharing photos taken with him. He will join the Trail Blazers' Summer League team and is expected to play in some games. Portland's first Summer League game is on July 11th against the Suns. If Yang takes the court, he may face off against his good friend, Marouane.

Who are the players to watch for the other 29 Summer League teams? Here is the list from ESPN——

Vissar (Hawks), Gonzalez (Celtics), Brown Jr. (Nets), Kalkbrenner (Hornets), Wilson (Bulls), Thomas (Cavaliers), Morris Johnson (Mavericks), Brazier (Nuggets), Okorie (Pistons), Lundberg (Warriors), Thornton (Rockets), Smith (Pacers), Wagler (Clippers), Tijero (Lakers);

Buzzer (Grizzlies), Conwell (Heat), Amment (Bucks), Bellinger (Timberwolves), Pierre Jr. (Pelicans), Diawara (Knicks), Mara (Thunder), Richardson (Magic), Philon (76ers), Marouane (Suns), Akuff (Kings), Reed Jr. (Spurs), Boyles (Raptors), Peterson (Jazz), Dibansa (Wizards)