'Baby Jokic' Yang shines at NBA Summer League

His personality is winning people over just as quickly as his skills. During Tuesday's game, after sinking an early three, he pointed to the bench in celebration — a planned joke with teammates Keeshawn Barthelemy and Andrew Carr.

"We joked that the bench would go wild if I did that move. Andrew bet me $100 I wouldn't. I did it. Told him he's buying dinner," Yang grinned. "He's having fun w(ith) it," the Trail Blazers posted on X, showing his instant fit with the team.

Adjusting to NBA life also means adapting off the court. Fortunately, Yang is finding support in the locker room. "Guys like Kevin Love and Big O are helping me a lot," he said. "They're teaching me English, and I teach them a few Chinese phrases—we're laughing and bonding. It's been really fun."

Head coach Chauncey Billups is equally enthusiastic: "He plays the game the right way. He's really a good teammate, playing for others to make other guys better. His competitive fire, he really competes out there. We love that about him. You can just tell that he's been taught the right way, so a lot of things ... that I have to teach with young guys, I don't have to teach this kid."

Still, Yang acknowledges that the road ahead is long. During a back-to-back game on Sunday, he candidly reflected on the impact of fatigue: "I was a step slow on rebounds today because I was tired. When you don't have the energy, you become a liability. I need to work harder, get stronger, and improve in every aspect."

He also admits that battling NBA-caliber big men in the post is a challenge: "Low-post play is much tougher here. I need time to adjust and grow."

And while fans in both China and the US are buzzing about his debut, Yang remains grounded.

"I wouldn't say I became famous overnight. I still have a long way to go to reach the level of American pros. I'm grateful for the love from the fans, but I have to earn that support with hard work and progress."

At a pre-draft media conference, Hall of Famer Yao Ming advised Yang and other young Chinese prospects "to remember one thing: the draft is just a small part of their entire career, or even their life … What really matters is the path they take afterward," according to CNN.

Yang seems to have taken that message to heart. His attitude, humility, and rapid adaptation are making him one of the breakout stories of this year's Summer League. And if this early glimpse is any indication, he's only getting started.

Jiang Xinyu contributed to this story.