Rayan Rupert Media Availability | July 5, 2025 | Portland Trail Blazers

Rayan Rupert Media Availability | July 5, 2025 | Portland Trail Blazers

Uh so uh Rupa, first off, how would you say the first day of some really practice went for you guys?
Great. Pretty pretty great. Uh just playing off fast offensively and uh defensively, playing hard, talking and uh yeah, it was a good first day.
What What are you hoping to to get out of summer league or or to show in summer league this year? Me uh you know, I just like to to play basketball. So every time I can get on the court, I’m just happy. I’m just focus on uh you know uh playing u quick on the of the catch uh catch and shoot and uh defensively be elite by being descriptive with my length and pressure the ball you know just playing fast and playing simple.
What are your first impressions of Hansen?
He’s great. You know he’s a great presser. Uh he’s running very fast. I was pretty surprised and uh yeah he has a great footwork. He’s very good. You know he’s going to be great I think. How how is it kind of communicating with him? Obviously you’re French, he’s Chinese, a lot of team is American. Like how how did that kind of go in the first day?
Uh I think it’s a adjustment for everybody, but it’s great. You know, he’s try to to speak English, so that’s great, you know, and he has this trajectory with him every time. So it’s pretty easy, honestly.
You going to try to learn a little bit of Chinese?
Yeah, I forgot every time. Uh I learned to say like hello, but every time I forget.
Was there any specific plays during the practice where his passing really stood out to you? Maybe like a back door pass or anything like that.
Uh about
Anenhu. Yeah. Every time he has a ball on the wing or to play end off stuff like that. Every time you cut from the baseline, from the corner, you can get the ball. You know, he’s a great person. So, I love it.
Uh RP, you’re you’re kind of the the veteran now. You’ve got experience with the organization more time than anybody else. Are you kind of looking to embrace a leadership role and kind of try to help guys understand kind of the culture, the the the style of play? And even though Hansson is is kind of a different big, he’s going to be with you on the NBA side as well, too. So, are you trying to build that relationship and understanding with him? Sure. Sure. Sure. Uh and he’s going to be my passer, you know, when I cut. So, I have to get to have a good relationship with him. But, um seriously, like more defensively, you know, I talk to to speak more defensively. Uh like uh yeah, you have to be here. You have to be here. And offensively, you know, just playing fast and encourage everybody, you know. So, yeah. Yeah. Uh, I try to be a leader this summer.
What has your off seasonason been like so far?
I’ve been in Portland for the most part, just, you know, working on my body, my shooting, uh, my decision making, and yeah, that’s one.
How do you feel like that’s coming along?
Uh, better, you know, uh, I’ve been in the gym every day, so yeah, it’s getting better and I’m ready for for this summer. Since you’re the the first player on the the Blazers to get to play with Hansen, have have any of your teammates been reaching out to you at all, texting you about first impressions from
No, but a lot of guys are in the building right now. Uh Tummani, Denny, Shayen was there this week, so they were talking with Anen and so yeah, it’s a good it’s a good guy.
All right, thank you very much. Textures.

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