Latest news with #CaliforniaClassic
USA Today
29-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
NBA's 2025 summer league set for July 10-20 in Las Vegas
NBA's 2025 summer league set for July 10-20 in Las Vegas Assuming the Rockets keep their No. 10 overall draft pick, the rookie could make his Houston debut at the NBA's 2025 summer league in July. The Houston Rockets will once again participate in the NBA 2K Summer League, which takes place this year from July 10-20, 2025, at the Thomas & Mack Center and Pavilion on the campus of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. The league's 2025 offseason schedule also includes brief tournaments at the Salt Lake City Summer League and California Classic. However, the Rockets are not among the four teams listed to participate in either of those events. All 30 NBA teams play in the Las Vegas experience, which typically consists of at least five games, per team. The complete schedule, rosters, and broadcast information will be announced in June, with tickets available by visiting Summer rosters are largely comprised of younger players who are looking to turn heads. Some are recent draft picks who are angling for rotation roles in the upcoming season, while others are fighting for G League developmental opportunities. For the Rockets, players from recent draft classes who could be featured include second-year guard Reed Sheppard and third-year wing prospect Cam Whitmore. Houston also currently holds the No. 10 overall selection in the 2025 NBA draft — and if the Rockets keep the pick, the summer showcase would be the first time for that rookie to play in a Houston jersey. The summer-league schedule is not typically released until after each year's draft, since the league decides matchups and television windows in large part based on where the incoming rookie class is drafted. So, stay tuned! The 2025 first round takes place on June 25. Shortly after the draft, each team will finalize its complete summer-league roster and hold a mini-camp in its home market to practice for the games in Las Vegas. Garrett Jackson, an assistant to head coach Ime Udoka with the Rockets, took over the head-coaching duties for Houston at the NBA's 2024 summer league. Ben Sullivan drew that assignment in 2023, when the Rockets advanced to the summer-league championship game. For 2025, Houston's summer-league head coach has yet to be publicly named. More: 2025 NBA mock drafts: Illinois guard Kasparas Jakucionis frequently linked to Rockets
USA Today
29-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
2025 California Classic summer league schedule has been released
2025 California Classic summer league schedule has been released Heat, Spurs, Warriors and Lakers playing in California Classic — Dan Woike (@DanWoikeSports) May 28, 2025 Before the main Las Vegas summer league takes place, the Los Angeles Lakers and a few other teams typically participate in the California Classic summer league. It gives the players taking part in it a few extra games to hone their skills and get ready for what lies ahead, not just in Las Vegas but also during the NBA's regular season. Lakers fans are hoping to see Bronny James and Dalton Knecht, as well as perhaps a few other promising players, take part in summer league this year. James said he will play in Las Vegas, but it is unknown if he will participate in the California Classic, and it is unknown if Knecht will partake in either summer league this year. The schedule for this year's California Classic has been released. The Lakers will play against the Golden State Warriors on July 5, the Miami Heat on July 6 and the San Antonio Spurs on July 8. Afterward, the main Las Vegas summer league will start on July 10 and conclude on July 20.
Newsweek
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Newsweek
Lakers' Bronny James Among NBA's Elite in One Unique Category
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Throughout the entire 2024-25 NBA season, Los Angeles Lakers rookie Bronny James was constantly talked about. He received a lot of criticism throughout the year, but he also showed improvement throughout the year. In the future, the Lakers firmly believe that he has the potential to be a legitimate role player for the team. That future might be as early as next season. While he didn't play much as a rookie, James is among the NBA's best in one unique category. Bronny James Jr. #9 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots a foul shot against the Sacramento Kings during the second half of the 2024 California Classic summer league game at Chase Center on July 06,... Bronny James Jr. #9 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots a foul shot against the Sacramento Kings during the second half of the 2024 California Classic summer league game at Chase Center on July 06, 2024 in San Francisco, California. More Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images As shared by NBA Central on X, James is among the most followed NBA players on social media. Being LeBron James' son has something to do with that, but Bronny has done an excellent job of building his name and brand as well. Read more: Former 4-Time NBA All-Star Unveils Shocking Mavericks, Cooper Flagg Take Among all NBA players, James ranks No. 18 with 7.9 million followers. His father, LeBron, leads all players with a stunning 159.7 million followers. Stephen Curry comes in second with 58.1 million, Russell Westbrook is in third with 22.9 million, Kyrie Irving is fourth with 20.3 million, and Lonzo Ball is fifth with 18.1 million. Throughout his rookie season, James played in 27 games and made one start. He scored 62 total points, dished out 22 assists, grabbed 18 rebounds, and recorded nine steals. James shot 31.3 percent from the floor and 28.1 percent from three-point range. James had his best game of the season on March 20 against the Milwaukee Bucks, when he scored 17 points on 7-for-10 shooting to go along with five assists, three rebounds, and a block. Read more: Warriors Are Reportedly Already Preparing to Trade for Celtics Star In addition to playing 27 games at the NBA level, James saw a lot of action in the G-League. He played in 11 games for the South Bay Lakers, averaging 21.9 points, 5.4 assists, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.9 steals per game, while shooting 44 percent from the floor and 38 percent from beyond the three-point arc. Following the season, James spoke out honestly about his rookie season. "I thought I got better. I thought I grew as a player and a person," he said. "More work to be done. I feel like my progression has been slow, but getting better every day." Expect to continue hearing a lot about James throughout the upcoming NBA offseason. He will continue working hard on his game and might have a shot to earn more meaningful playing time during the 2025-26 campaign. For more Los Angeles Lakers and general NBA news, head over to Newsweek Sports.
San Francisco Chronicle
15-05-2025
- Sport
- San Francisco Chronicle
At 7-foot-1 with an ability to score, China's Yang comes to draft combine looking for an NBA shot
CHICAGO (AP) — Yang Hansen had just taken questions for about 20 minutes in his native Mandarin, then decided to show off a little of his English as he walked out of the room. 'Bye bye,' he said, stretching his arm skyward as he waved farewell. 'Bye bye.' Yang — a 7-foot-1, 253-pound center from China — is one of a slew of international players at the draft combine in Chicago this week, meeting with teams, getting measured and being put through drills. He also is taking part in the 5-on-5 scrimmaging, under the watchful eye of executives from every NBA team. He turns 20 on June 26, the day that the Round 2 picks in this year's NBA draft will get selected. That might turn out to be a fairly memorable birthday for the Chinese big man. 'He really feels happiness here," Chris Liu, Yang's interpreter, said after relaying Yang questions from The Associated Press. "And then, he's really willing to compete with everyone and against everyone. He really enjoyed that.' Yang knows there is an inevitable comparison. Any Chinese center until probably the end of time is going to be asked about Basketball Hall of Famer Yao Ming, who at 7-foot-6 was by far the best Chinese player ever to hit the NBA. Yang is not Yao. Being the next Yao, that's not realistic. Being the best version of Yang is the goal. He has gifts: a nice touch around the basket and solid passing ability among them. He also has things to work on, as would almost any 19-year-old trying to get into the league. 'Yao Ming is my predecessor," Yang said in Mandarin. 'I have always respected him. I want to learn from him.' There is a learning curve that goes beyond the language barrier. Liu has been sitting with Yang on the bench and in the huddles at games during the combine, translating what's being said by coaches and others. But when Yang goes into games, he doesn't need much in the way of additional explanation. Yang averaged 16.6 points, 10.5 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game in the Chinese Basketball Association this past season and was an All-CBA first-team selection. And this draft combine isn't his first foray into the NBA world — he was on a team that China sent last year to the California Classic summer league, one of the prequels to the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas. Yang also has been working out in Los Angeles in recent weeks, with former Florida Atlantic and Michigan center Vladislav Goldin — another draft hopeful — among those who were with him for some of those sessions. Goldin and Yang were matched up in one of the draft combine scrimmages. 'We kind of know each other now," Goldin said. "It was just cool.' Yang might be facing long odds. He doesn't seem worried. 'I will do my best,' he said.
Hamilton Spectator
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
At 7-foot-1 with an ability to score, China's Yang comes to draft combine looking for an NBA shot
CHICAGO (AP) — Yang Hansen had just taken questions for about 20 minutes in his native Mandarin, then decided to show off a little of his English as he walked out of the room. 'Bye bye,' he said, stretching his arm skyward as he waved farewell. 'Bye bye.' When it comes to English, he might still have much to learn. When it comes to basketball, he's trying to show that he knows plenty already. Yang — a 7-foot-1, 253-pound center from China — is one of a slew of international players at the draft combine in Chicago this week, meeting with teams, getting measured and being put through drills. He also is taking part in the 5-on-5 scrimmaging, under the watchful eye of executives from every NBA team. He turns 20 on June 26, the day that the Round 2 picks in this year's NBA draft will get selected. That might turn out to be a fairly memorable birthday for the Chinese big man. 'He really feels happiness here,' Chris Liu, Yang's interpreter, said after relaying Yang questions from The Associated Press. 'And then, he's really willing to compete with everyone and against everyone. He really enjoyed that.' Yang knows there is an inevitable comparison. Any Chinese center until probably the end of time is going to be asked about Basketball Hall of Famer Yao Ming, who at 7-foot-6 was by far the best Chinese player ever to hit the NBA. Yang is not Yao. Being the next Yao, that's not realistic. Being the best version of Yang is the goal. He has gifts: a nice touch around the basket and solid passing ability among them. He also has things to work on, as would almost any 19-year-old trying to get into the league. 'Yao Ming is my predecessor,' Yang said in Mandarin. 'I have always respected him. I want to learn from him.' There is a learning curve that goes beyond the language barrier. Liu has been sitting with Yang on the bench and in the huddles at games during the combine, translating what's being said by coaches and others. But when Yang goes into games, he doesn't need much in the way of additional explanation. Yang averaged 16.6 points, 10.5 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game in the Chinese Basketball Association this past season and was an All-CBA first-team selection. And this draft combine isn't his first foray into the NBA world — he was on a team that China sent last year to the California Classic summer league, one of the prequels to the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas. Yang also has been working out in Los Angeles in recent weeks, with former Florida Atlantic and Michigan center Vladislav Goldin — another draft hopeful — among those who were with him for some of those sessions. Goldin and Yang were matched up in one of the draft combine scrimmages. 'We kind of know each other now,' Goldin said. 'It was just cool.' There have been only a handful of Chinese-born players to reach the NBA. Cui Yongxi was the only one this season; the 6-foot-6 shooting guard appeared in five games with the Brooklyn Nets before tearing his ACL in a G League game. Yang might be facing long odds. He doesn't seem worried. 'I will do my best,' he said. ___ AP NBA:
