Trail Blazers’ Donovan Clingan ready for summer league action

The Portland Trail Blazers open summer league play at 6 p.m., Saturday against the San Antonio Spurs in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Literally at the center of the Blazers’ lineup will be rookie Donovan Clingan, selected No. 7 overall in June’s NBA draft.

“It’s been a great few days of work getting ready for Vegas,” Clingan said. “I can tell that everyone in this building is excited to get out there.”

The Blazers began practicing on Saturday and were scheduled to leave for Las Vegas on Thursday.

For Clingan, practicing with new teammates while learning a new style of play different from what he was used to at Connecticut has been a positive experience.

“It’s completely different,” he said. “It’s a different type of basketball. It’s obviously not college anymore. You’re really just trying to understand how all your teammates play. What they do to succeed. How I could set better ball screens. How I could hand the ball off better. Really, just try to pick up on different players and how they need me to play for them to be very successful.”

Clingan said he has no expectations for summer league other than doing what he can to win.

“It’s about winning,” he said. “It’s not about the points. It’s just about how I can help my team win. It’s not about scoring 20 points. I’d be happier with 20 rebounds, and seven blocks, and five assists rather than 25 points. I’m just going to go in there with the same mindset of every other game and try to attack my opponent and just win.”

Clingan played the defender/rebounder role well at UConn. He is now expected to develop as an offensive threat in the NBA.

Coaches and players have noted how well Clingan shot the ball during his pre-draft workout, and summer league practices.

Summer league coach Jonah Herscu said earlier in the week that it’s possible Clingan could get off more three-point attempts in Las Vegas than he did during two seasons with the Huskies (nine).

“If I’m open, I’m gonna let it fly,” Clingan said.

The expectation is that Herscu will call plays that allow Clingan to expand his offensive game.

“Just try to get myself into the groove of the league,” Clingan said. “Just try to adapt to the pace, the style of play. I feel like there’ll be some plays ran for me, and also plays ran for me to get my teammates open.”

BLAZERS SCHEDULE

6 p.m., Saturday, July 13: San Antonio Spurs, Thomas & Mack Center (ESPN2).

5:30 p.m., Monday, July 15: Philadelphia 76ers, Thomas & Mack Center (NBATV).

5:30 p.m., Tuesday, July 16: Washington Wizards, Thomas & Mack Center (NBATV).

8 p.m., Friday, July 19: Charlotte Hornets, Cox Pavilion(ESPN2).

BLAZERS SUMMER LEAGUE LINKS

Blazers Focused podcast: Trail Blazers Summer League preview

Trail Blazers announce summer league roster

Trail Blazers announce summer league schedule

-- Aaron Fentress | afentress@Oregonian.com | @AaronJFentress (Twitter), @AaronJFentress (Instagram), @AaronFentress (Facebook)