The Portland Trail Blazers are sending a pair of promising young players-center Yang Hansen and forward Rayan Rupert-down to the G League for some much-needed reps, assigning them to the Rip City Remix following their win over the Golden State Warriors.
This isn’t a demotion-it’s development. With three days off before the Blazers host the Sacramento Kings on Thursday, this stretch gives Rupert and Hansen a chance to get extended minutes and build rhythm with the Remix, Portland’s G League affiliate. The timing lines up well: the Remix are in the thick of the G League Tip Off Tournament, hosting the Stockton Kings at the Chiles Center today and again tomorrow evening.
For Rupert, it’s a chance to build on some recent momentum. The 6-foot-6 wing showed flashes in Thursday’s game against the New Orleans Pelicans, putting up 14 points, six rebounds, three assists, and two steals.
That kind of all-around effort is exactly what the Blazers want to see more of from the 19-year-old, who’s still finding his footing in the NBA. Through the early part of the season, Rupert has averaged 2.1 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 0.4 assists in just under nine minutes per game, shooting 30 percent from beyond the arc.
Yang, meanwhile, is still waiting for his breakout moment. The 16th overall pick in June’s draft has appeared in 13 games so far, averaging 2.6 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 0.8 assists in 7.7 minutes per contest.
For a young big adjusting to the NBA’s speed and physicality, the G League offers a valuable proving ground. It’s a place where he can get more touches, work through mistakes, and start to translate his raw tools into tangible production.
For the Trail Blazers, this move is about long-term investment. These are two players with upside, and the organization is giving them the space to grow. With a young roster already in place and a development-focused season underway, getting Rupert and Hansen meaningful minutes-even if it’s not at the Moda Center-is part of the bigger picture.
Keep an eye on how they respond. The G League might not have the spotlight of the NBA, but for players like Rupert and Hansen, it’s the perfect stage to take the next step.