Trail Blazers Summer League Head Coach: The offense will definitely revolve around Hansen as the core, closely monitoring his performance with the national team

On July 10th, Beijing time, the Las Vegas Summer League began, and Yang Hansen has already integrated into the Trail Blazers' Summer League team for joint training. Following the session, head coach Gilbert Abraham was interviewed, and nearly all the questions revolved around Yang Hansen. The transcript is as follows: —

Reporter: How did today's overall training go?

Coach: Today's training was executed with great efficiency. We made sure Hansen and the other players became thoroughly familiar with the team's tactical system, and we developed a solid team chemistry.

Reporter: How was Hansen's performance today?

Coach: He performed excellently, and I'm really looking forward to coaching him. He's also very willing to stay with the team, and we're all excited about tomorrow's game.

Reporter: Will the team focus heavily on him in the upcoming games, giving him as many touches as possible? Or will his playing time be managed?

Coach: For Hansen, as well as all our players, our goal is to place them in positions where they can maximize their strengths. In that regard, Hansen is definitely a key developmental priority, and the offense will undoubtedly be built around him.

Reporter: Besides the two-way contract players, which other players have caught your eye?

Coach: To be honest, Frankie Fidler has shown outstanding improvement—he picks up tactical concepts quickly and executes them well. DJ Stewart trained with me throughout the offseason before entering the NBA, so we're very familiar with each other. Jalen Martin's ability to drive to the rim and create his own opportunities has also been impressive. Many players on the team have shown their strengths, and this training camp has been particularly effective overall.

Reporter: After last season and the offseason national team experience, how much progress do you think Hansen has made? Having watched his entire national team run, what's your assessment?

Coach: I'm very satisfied. Hansen's overall skill level has improved significantly. When he first arrived, he needed to adapt to the team's culture and learn English, but now we communicate without any barriers. I'm looking forward to seeing him take the court and show everyone his growth.

Reporter: There's been a lot of discussion externally about finding the right way to utilize Hansen to maximize his impact on the court. How does the team plan to use him effectively?

Coach: I can't reveal too many tactical details, but our offensive system is designed around him, placing him as the focal point and playmaker to fully showcase his passing and playmaking abilities. He can attack off the dribble, finish efficiently, and plays with creativity. Most importantly, we want him to enjoy the game and play freely—that's crucial.

Reporter: Heading into his second season, will the pressure on Hansen be greater than in his first year? In the debut season, fans mainly watched him learn and grow, but by year two, the expectations from fans and outsiders are for him to make tangible contributions.

Coach: I often use this analogy: a gardener can't make a plant grow directly, only create a suitable environment for it to thrive. Our job is to build an environment where Hansen can steadily develop—we won't demand an overnight transformation. Growth needs to be gradual, and he will continue to get stronger at his own pace. The entire team agrees with this development philosophy.

Reporter: Where does his defensive level stand right now? Since last year's Summer League, everyone has seen his excellent offensive skills. How big is the gap between his defense and his offense?

Coach: He has made great strides defensively. Last season in the G League, he was one of the top players in drop coverage and rim protection, mastering defensive techniques and fully understanding the defensive system. Overall, his combined capabilities on both ends of the floor have improved across the board.

Reporter: Have you been following his national team games? How closely did you watch?

Coach: I paid close attention throughout, reviewing every possession and every offensive and defensive play as much as possible. I could clearly see the progress he made with the national team. There are differences between national team and league play, but we still value Hansen highly and look forward to him putting this period of growth to use on the court.