NBA Rookie Dubbed 'Chinese Jokic' Has Fans in a Chokehold
There's only one Nikola Jokic. But one incoming NBA youngster does a pretty darn good impression of him.
Portland Trail Blazers rookie Yang Hansen flashed some of his Joker-esque qualities in his Summer League debut Friday.
The Chinese center's final stat line was nothing to write home about. Yang finished with 10 points on 3/7 shooting, to go along with four rebounds, five assists and three blocks.
However, Yang's performance proved that the box score never tells the full story. He thrilled fans inside the Thomas & Mack Center with some slick passes that a 20-year-old big man has no business making against NBA-level competition.
The Yang Hansen show premiered in Las Vegas tonight!
— NBA (@NBA) July 12, 2025
???? 10 PTS
???? 4 REB
???? 5 AST
???? 3 BLK
A walking highlight reel in his Trail Blazers summer debut. pic.twitter.com/HQQVqrJVbc
Some of his assists didn't just have a high degree of difficulty. Yang showed a level of comfort in making them that bodes well for how his skill set will translate once the games start to count.
Several fans have already bought into the "Chinese Jokic" hype.
"I scoffed at people calling Yang Hansen Chinese Nikola Jokic but after two summer league assists I’m ready to admit I was wrong to doubt the vision," one fan said on X.
I scoffed at people calling Yang Hansen Chinese Nikola Jokic but after two summer league assists I’m ready to admit I was wrong to doubt the vision.
— Bradsketbawl (@bradsketbawl) July 12, 2025
"People surprised that Yang Hansen looks like Chinese Jokic did not see the tape on him. His game is specifically modeled after him!" wrote another.
"Get ready for the bigs who grew up watching Jokic as BITW to start showing up in the league. It’s gonna be like the effect curry had on guards.
People surprised that Yang Hansen looks like Chinese Jokic did not see the tape on him. His game is specifically modeled after him!
— Patty Graham (@PattyGr29702276) July 12, 2025
Get ready for the bigs who grew up watching Jokic as BITW to start showing up in the league. It’s gonna be like the effect curry had on guards.
The potential is off the charts for Yang, whom the Blazers selected with the 16th overall pick in last month's NBA draft.
The problem for Yang may come in the form of playing time, or lack thereof.
While the Blazers have gotten rid of last year's starting center Deandre Ayton, Yang still has to compete with Robert Williams III, Duop Reath, and former No. 7 overall pick Donovan Clingan for minutes.
However, talent always rises to the top.
Even Jokic started his career as a reserve, famously playing behind rival Jusuf Nurkic during his early days with the Denver Nuggets. It took four seasons before Jokic made his first All-Star team.