The Moda Center felt like a dream sequence Friday night when Portland Trail Blazers rookie Yang Hansen finally came face to face with his basketball idol, Nikola Jokic. For Hansen, a 7-foot-1 center often dubbed the "Chinese Jokic" for his excellent passing and high basketball IQ, it wasn't just another game on the schedule; It was a meeting that took months in the making.
The two ran into each other near mid-court during pregame warmups, a light-hearted moment that certainly calmed some of the 20-year-old rookie's nerves. Hansen has been vocal about his admiration for the Denver Nuggets superstar since Portland selected him 16th overall last summer.
Yang Hansen has revealed how much he admires Nikola Jokic. The two are meeting before tonight's game here in Portland. pic.twitter.com/XkTgri9gS4
- Katy Winge (@katywinge) 21 February 2026
He even famously joked during All-Star weekend that he "can't wait to kiss" the three-time MVP. Jock, always wise, had previously set a humorous condition for a photo op: he would only take a photo if Hansen promised to play poorly against him.
