Rookie Hield making an impression

For rookie Buddy Hield, who was supposed to struggle a little bit in adjusting to the NBA pressure cooker, the preseason trip to China has offered a perfect opportunity to show he belongs.

Selected No 6 overall by the New Orleans Pelicans in June's NBA Draft, Hield has looked anything but out of place during the team's eight-day Global Games China tour, highlighted by his spirited pre-game workouts and engaging off-court persona.

In addition to performing impressively in the Pelicans' first three preseason games, Hield, who hails from Freeport, Bahamas, has bonded with teammates off the court - an easy transition he attributes to the welcoming atmosphere in China.