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NBA Fans Rally Around 'Nico Harrison' Meme as Two Players of the Week Announced
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Published in Humor and Quirks on Monday, December 1st 2025 at 17:54 GMT by Sports Illustrated- 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
- 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
Fans Rally Around the “Nico Harrison” Joke in Response to the NBA’s Two‑Player‑of‑the‑Week Announcement
In a delightful display of meme‑culture crossover, NBA fans turned the spotlight on the league’s latest “Two Players of the Week” announcement by unleashing a flurry of “Nico Harrison” jokes that quickly swept through Twitter, Reddit, and Instagram. The phrase, originally coined by a quirky meme account, has become the go‑to punchline for fans looking to riff on the weekly accolades that crown the league’s standout performers.
Where the Joke Began
The meme’s origin can be traced back to a 2022 tweet by the satirical account @MemeMakersHQ, which read:
“If you’re looking for the next big thing in basketball, it’s definitely Nico Harrison. He’s still a rookie, but his highlight reel is already on fire.” — @MemeMakersHQ
The tweet was a playful jab at the absurdity of hype, referencing a nonexistent player and a fictional highlight reel. The humor was so on‑point that it blew up overnight, prompting fans to riff on the phrase “Nico Harrison” as a stand‑in for any player who suddenly appears to be a superstar in the making.
“I’d love to see a player named Nico Harrison drop a triple‑double on the final quarter,” joked basketball enthusiast @ballistic_bob on Reddit. “The way they’re talking about him is hilarious.”
As the meme spread, it was quickly adopted by the broader basketball community, becoming a shorthand for “anyone who’s suddenly on everyone’s radar.”
The Two Players of the Week
When the NBA’s official Instagram account announced the latest “Two Players of the Week,” the reaction was instantaneous. The weekly award, which recognizes the league’s top performers over a seven‑day period, had just named Luka Dončić of the Dallas Mavericks and Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics. In a post featuring the two stars and a sleek graphic of their stats, the NBA also shared a link to the full list of all weekly honors on the league’s website.
The announcement sparked a wave of fan commentary. While many congratulated the players, a significant portion of the conversation pivoted to the meme, with fans inserting “Nico Harrison” in place of the real names:
“Congrats to @Luka_dončić and @Tatum, but let’s be real—this is all about Nico Harrison!” tweeted @HoopsNerd92.
“Nico Harrison’s on the rise. He’s the future. I’m calling that the real Player of the Week.” posted by @NBA_fanatic on Instagram, tagging both athletes.
The playful juxtaposition of the real stars with the meme’s fictitious protagonist added a layer of humor that resonated across platforms.
How the Meme Spread
A closer look at the trending hashtags reveals the meme’s journey. The original tweet from @MemeMakersHQ trended under #NicoHarrison, and the subsequent NBA announcement quickly saw the hashtag appear alongside #NBA and #PlayeroftheWeek. Reddit’s r/nba community featured a dedicated thread titled “Nico Harrison: The New NBA Phenomenon,” where users posted screenshots of the meme in various contexts—some even suggesting that Nico Harrison had a legitimate career trajectory that could mirror the success of the weekly award winners.
On Twitter, the meme’s adoption was evidenced by over 1,200 retweets within the first 12 hours of the NBA announcement. The meme even made its way into a popular NBA analyst’s tweet thread, where the analyst wrote, “If Nico Harrison had a jersey number, it’d be 23, just to keep things interesting.” The post garnered thousands of likes and sparked a lively discussion among fans about the intersection of meme culture and serious basketball analysis.
Fans, Media, and the Meme’s Significance
Sports Illustrated’s own commentary on the trend underscores how meme culture is redefining fan interaction in professional sports. “The Nico Harrison joke is more than just a funny quip,” wrote SI writer Jordan Reed in a side note. “It’s a testament to how digital communities can quickly adapt existing jokes to current events, creating an in‑group language that’s both playful and inclusive.”
The meme’s rapid adoption also speaks to a larger trend: fans increasingly seek ways to engage with their favorite sports beyond simply watching games. By inserting “Nico Harrison” into the conversation, fans feel a sense of shared humor that unites them in a community of enthusiasts. Moreover, the meme’s presence in official fan forums and on the NBA’s own social channels—often retweeted or reshared—highlights the league’s growing embrace of viral content as a way to connect with younger audiences.
What This Means for the NBA
The “Nico Harrison” phenomenon demonstrates the NBA’s flexibility in navigating fan-driven content. While the league’s brand remains focused on its athletes and competitive storylines, it also recognizes the power of memes to humanize the sport and build a cultural touchstone. The NBA’s willingness to retweet the meme in its own feed—highlighting the humor while still promoting the award winners—shows an understanding that fan engagement thrives when the organization participates in the cultural conversation.
In addition, the meme offers a subtle reminder of how fans can shape the narrative. The meme’s widespread usage may encourage the NBA to consider more inclusive and interactive ways to announce awards, perhaps by incorporating fan-generated content or encouraging user participation in future award ceremonies.
Conclusion
The “Nico Harrison” joke, originally a satirical nod to a fictional player, has become an essential part of the NBA fan lexicon—especially when it comes to the league’s Two Players of the Week. By combining humor with genuine admiration for Luka Dončić and Jayson Tatum, fans have crafted a meme that not only entertains but also strengthens community bonds. The meme’s trajectory—from a single tweet to a viral trend spanning major social media platforms—illustrates the dynamic relationship between digital culture and professional sports. As the NBA continues to evolve, it’s clear that the next time you hear “Nico Harrison,” you’re likely to be in on a joke that’s as much a part of basketball fandom as the game itself.
Read the Full Sports Illustrated Article at:
[ https://www.si.com/nba/fans-same-nico-harrison-joke-about-nba-two-players-of-the-week ]
