PORTLAND, Ore. – He wasn’t in China for long, but Norris Cole managed, during his time with the Shandong Golden Stars, to soak up some culture, and a little of the local language.

“Just a little bit,” Cole said Thursday morning at the Moda Center. “Ni hao.”

That’s hello, which is what Cole said this week to the Thunder.

The veteran point guard – who wrapped up his stint in the Chinese Basketball Association in December – signed with Oklahoma City for the rest of this season and is available to play Thursday night against the Trail Blazers.