Yang Hansen Sparks $100K Punishment as Blazers Pay Price for Illegal Pre-Draft Move 2 Jan 18, 2026; Sacramento, California, USA; Portland Trail Blazers center Yang Hansen (16) reacts after traveling against the Sacramento Kings during the third quarter at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Lee-Imagn Images

'I Can’t Wait to Kiss Him' – Portland Trail Blazers’ Yang Hansen Catches His Translator Off Guard With Amusing Nikola Jokic Answer

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Jordan Samar | Last updated Feb 14, 2026 6:09 AM ET

It’s safe to say that Portland Trail Blazers rookie Yang Hansen can’t wait to meet his NBA idol, Nikola Jokic, as he didn’t hold back when he was asked about potentially meeting him during All-Star Weekend, so much so that his translator couldn’t believe his answer.

“I wish I can see him. I can’t wait to, like, chat with him,” the translator said on Hansen’s behalf while trying to contain his laughter. “I can’t wait to kiss him.”

The Portland Trail Blazers center put on a show in his first foray in the NBA All-Star Weekend. Yang represented Team Austin in the Rising Stars, dropping 10 points and two rebounds on 4-for-5 shooting from the field in their semifinal defeat against Team Melo.

Yang has seen limited action in a Portland Trail Blazers uniform this season, as he’s behind Donovan Clingan and Robert Williams III in the depth chart. He has spent more time with their G League affiliate, averaging 18.3 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 2.0 assists this year.

Portland Trail Blazers News: Donovan Clingan opens up on All-Star Weekend experience

Donovan Clingan went at it with Yang Hansen during the Rising Stars, and the Portland Trail Blazers starting center said he is enjoying his first NBA All-Star Weekend. The former seventh overall pick added that he has his eyes on making it to the All-Star Team in his career one day.

“It was fun,” Clingan said on his battles with Yang via Joe Freeman of The Oregonian. “We battle against each other all the time, every day at practice, but being able to play on a bigger stage like this is pretty special.”

“It just shows me the next step, to try to play on Sunday, to really just put the work in,” he said on his All-Star aspirations. “Obviously, I’ll take a couple days off, get a nice little break, and then really just work for Sunday for the future.”

This article first appeared on Hardwood Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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