Portland Trail Blazers rookie Yang Hansen debuted in the G League on Friday, helping the Rip City Remix remain undefeated with a road win over the Valley Suns.
Yang produced eight points, 13 rebounds, four assists, one steal and one blocked shot in the 107-104 victory at Mullett Arena. He finished by shooting 4-of-11 from the field in nearly 30 minutes of work as the Remix improved to 3-0 to begin the season.
The 16th pick in the draft showcased his ability to work in the paint, from converting a few nifty finishes to cleaning up the offensive glass. He also flashed his playmaking, serving as a facilitator in the half-court and finding a few cutting teammates for easy looks at the rim.
Yang was assigned to the Remix on Thursday after playing sparingly with the Trail Blazers, totaling 29 minutes in five appearances. Trail Blazers interim coach Tiago Splitter hinted recently that Yang could see time with the Remix, with several players ahead of him in the rotation.
Despite seeing minimal time to begin the season, the 7-footer has been commended by the team for putting in extra work on the court and in the weight room. He has also practiced with the Remix on a few occasions to prepare himself for game action.
Yang is expected to remain with the Remix on their two-game road trip that concludes on Sunday against the South Bay Lakers. The team is hopeful that his assignments in the G League can help him take the next step in his development.