The Blazers new center got 100% real on what he might do when first interacting with the all-time great during the regular season

This article was originally published on www.si.com/nba/nuggets as Yang Hansen’s Nikola Jokic Statement Goes Viral. The annual Chosen Few Picnic and Festival will take over Jackson Park this weekend. This year, the event celebrates 35 years of live music.

Portland Trail Blazers rookie center Yang Hansen appeared excited to make his Summer League debut with his new team at 8 p.m. Friday against the Golden State Warriors. • WATCH: Blazers vs Warriors basketball live for free with Fubo (free trial),

Yang Hansen shares his heartwarming first plan for idol Nikola Jokic ahead of their highly anticipated rookie showdown.

Portland Trail Blazers first-round draft pick Yang Hansen has been one of the most-discussed rookies in the NBA since being selected at No. 16 overall. The 7-foot-1, 260-pound 20-year-old center from China is a relative unknown in NBA circles - and his future projections vary widely.

Yang Hansen has certainly been the conversation topic at Summer League for the Blazers, but he’s also the conversation topic for an entire country, as he’s the first Chinese player to be drafted in the first round in nearly 20 years.