The prized asset in a trade that sent longtime Portland swingman Nicolas Batum to Charlotte in exchange for Vonleh and veteran guard Gerald Henderson, Vonleh played in just 25 games for the Hornets in his first season after being selected ninth overall in the 2014 NBA Draft. Adjusting to his second team and city in as many seasons was very much like hitting restart for the 6-10 power forward.
It’s easy to forget Vonleh is just 20 years old. Still seen as a development project for the Trail Blazers, Vonleh’s 2015-16 campaign can not simply be measured in numbers but rather in the way his confidence grew as the season matured.
Vonleh averaged just 3.6 points on 42.1% shooting and 3.9 rebounds in 15.1 minutes per game, but the Indiana University product seemed to grow more comfortable with the pro game as the season progressed. He notched his first double-figure game of the season on January 23 versus the Lakers and followed that up with 10 points against the Kings the following game. From February through April, Vonleh shot 33.3% from behind the three-point arc compared to the 17.6% he shot from deep from November through January. All the while, Vonleh grew as capable interior defensive option in the Blazer rotation.
Entering his third season as a pro, Vonleh will once again play on the Blazers Summer League roster as fans in Rip City hope to see the youngster continue to grow in leaps and bounds ahead of 2016-17.