LAS VEGAS – It’s likely no player participating in the 24-team NBA Summer League is facing as many daunting, on-the-fly adjustments as Chinese forward He Tianju. In addition to having just arrived in the U.S. this week, He does not speak English, relying on a translator to relay communication from coaches and teammates. Yet if there was any notion that He might be hesitant or apprehensive about the experience, it quickly went away after the 24-year-old’s first shot attempt Friday vs. Milwaukee.
Not long after checking in during the first quarter of New Orleans’ 101-89 victory over the Bucks, He sank a three-pointer from the right sideline and immediately turned to his teammates on the bench.