The story of Yökoris began in the USA when youth workers brought a cassette player and headed to the basketball court to create connections with young people, thus giving rise to night basketball activities. In Germany, the activity was successfully managed, and the concept was brought to Finland by Ilpo Laitinen, the youth secretary of HNMKY.

In 1998, the Moonlight Basketball project started at VR warehouses, and funding from RAY supported the activities from 1999 to 2000. The first night basketball games were played at the VR warehouses and the Arena Center in Ruoholahti. Reino Kaasalainen joined the activity as a representative of NK.

Night basketball, which was organized in the summers at Kaisaniemi Park, found a permanent venue in Myllypuro, at the Paragon Hall. In 2001, NK took the main responsibility for the activities, although HNMKY remained a partner. New funding from RAY in 2002 supported the collaboration between HNMKY and NK.

In 2004, night basketball received recognition from Parliament (now Impact), and the following year, it was awarded by the NYT supplement of Helsingin Sanomat and Radio Helsinki’s Dreams Helsinki. In 2005, the activity expanded to the Hietaniemi beach and the Saturday cafes in Laakavuori.

In 2007, the activity moved from Myllypuro’s Paragon Hall to youth centers and other venues. The fall of the same year saw a night basketball tour at different youth centers around Helsinki. In 2014, the activity received the well-deserved Youth Work Recognition Award, highlighting its significant impact on the lives of young people.