Yang Hansen New York "Graduation": RTP Program Helps Rookie Growth in and out of the Arena

On August 21, Chinese player Hansen Yang appeared in New York and devoted himself to the NBA's "Rookie Transition Program" training course. This course is like a treasure, providing rookies with all-round guidance both inside and outside the court, and Yang Hansen and other young players will draw nourishment from it. The

RTP program came into being in 1986 and is the oldest plan of similarity in professional sports in the United States. It is jointly hosted by the NBA and the Player Union, like a multi-purpose key, designed to provide new players with the tools they need to deal with the huge financial, personal and social pressures of their NBA career. The course had already begun as early as the Summer League period, and this trip to New York was a continuation.

Many rookies praised the RTP course in interviews. Spurs second-place finisher Harper said RTP made him feel deeply the NBA’s strong investment in players’ success inside and outside the field. He shared: "I really enjoyed the rookie transition program, and it felt great to be able to interact with all the players and complete different links together." Harper also specifically mentioned that learning how to avoid scams on social media from the course means a lot to him. The "cat phishing" (online fraud) session in the course, by checking the girl's Instagram account, he deeply realized that after entering the league, he must always be vigilant about "online fraudsters".

NBA Vice President of Player Development Drew Franklin revealed that the Players Association is committed to ensuring that every rookie can make the most of the player development resources provided by the league. He introduced: "In my position, I am responsible for developing plans that help players develop their personal and professional development, and by managing team players to develop their personnel networks, providing resources and guidance, and carrying out direct-to-player programs, and the rookie transition plan is one of them. New players enter the league not only to understand the rules and business aspects of the game, but also to learn to maintain success in the NBA and beyond through mentor guidance and cultural integration. The player experience is constantly changing, so we strive to expand and perfect the entire RTP course. As the starting point for players to experience the NBA competition for the first time, we hope to provide them with content to explore and reach at that time."

Pelicans rookie Fells also shared his gains: "I am lucky to have the opportunity to go with Sean - Livingston, Eddie - Curry exchanged, they shared the knowledge and wisdom accumulated in the league, which was so cool. I learned a lot of useful information and will keep it in mind for emergencies. ” The

RTP program covers a wide range of topics, including financial management, mental health, social justice advocacy, community participation, decision-making, and more. Morgan Kato, executive vice president of operations at NBPA, pointed out that being prepared at a critical juncture in a rookie career can lay the foundation for their long-term success. He explained: "The rookie experience is unique and critical to all athletes, especially in the NBA. We strive to prepare players for a transition from college to 82 games, a nine-month schedule, away from their families and need to continue to perform well. This program is closely connected with players and helps them embark on their rookie season journey."

As part of the plan, the rookies gather in New York to learn in-depth what they learned during the Summer League. Kato said RTP is aligned with the Players Association’s mission to “protect and promote the rights of players, who are at the heart of the sport.” In late August, players will learn more in-depth about media training and interaction, financial knowledge to referee rules, and conduct team building and communication exercises so that they can clearly know their expectations at the beginning of the training camp.

For Yang Hansen, this knowledge is as important as the stadium skills and tactics. As the legendary Stockton mentioned, 60% of the NBA's retired players are currently bankrupt within five years of bidding farewell to the league, and the root cause is that they fail to properly manage their wealth. The RTP program is like a comprehensive growth mentor, helping rookies such as Yang Hansen learn to deal with various challenges outside the court while improving their football skills and escort their long-term development in the NBA.