Trail Blazers forward Noah Vonleh is charting unfamiliar territory thus far his NBA career during this year's Summer League.
Entering his third year -- and third Summer League -- as a pro while still just 20 years old, Vonleh is taking it upon himself to be a leader during the Blazers' time in Las Vegas this month.
On the first day of camp, Vonleh emphasized being more vocal and getting other guys involved. Vonleh's mission wasn't just lip service. That was evident in Portland's Summer League opener on Saturday afternoon. Playing with a team that's been together less than a week, the 6-10 forward served as an organizer on the defensive end, directing his teammates into the right spots on every possession.
"I’m taking a lot of pride in [being a leader]," Vonleh said Sunday morning at the Blazers' shootaround. "That’s going to be a big thing for me next year: being vocal, getting guys in the right spots, seeing the floor and helping get guys in the right spot on the defensive end. On offensive end getting guys into spots I’ve they don’t know the play or didn’t hear the play. I’m trying to talk guys through things. I’m taking a lot of pride in that."
The opportunity to lead hasn't come Vonleh's way since high school. He only spent one season at Indiana University before his rookie campaign in Charlotte. Last summer, he was still getting to know his teammates and the learning the offense after landing in Portland via trade last June.
During his rookie season as a Hornet, Vonleh learned first-hand of the impact leadership can have on young players.
"I was still trying to learn everything," Vonleh said of his previous experiences at Summer League. "Even back at Charlotte in my rookie year, I just watched guys like Marvin Williams. Marvin Williams talked a lot. He took me under his wing and told me 'At the 4, you're one of the main guys on the court; you see everything happening. You've gotta be real vocal and loud. Everybody's gonna feed off of you.'
"I just took that in, and I'm trying to apply the same thing [in Portland]."
The Trail Blazers continue Summer League play Sunday evening versus the San Antonio Spurs (7:00 pm / NBATV) at COX Pavilion on the UNLV campus.