Nikola Jokić

Nikola Jokić, is a Serbian professional basketball player widely regarded as one of the most versatile and skilled centers in NBA history. Playing for the Denver Nuggets, Jokić has redefined the center position with his exceptional playmaking, scoring ability, and basketball IQ. A three-time NBA MVP (2021, 2022 and 2024), he has earned accolades for his dominance on the court and his ability to elevate his teammates. Known for his humility and work ethic, Jokić remains a fan favorite and a transformative figure in basketball, embodying the global appeal of the sport.

Nikola Jokić’s early life in Serbia and his passion for basketball laid the foundation for his rise as one of the NBA’s premier players.

• Born Nikola Jokić on February 19, 1995, in Sombor, Serbia, to , to Branislav and Natalija Jokić.
• Spent his childhood in Sombor, where he developed a love for basketball while also riding horses, a passion he maintains to this day.
• Grew up in modest circumstances, which instilled in him a strong sense of humility and resilience that he carries into his professional career.
• Began playing basketball competitively as a teenager, quickly earning recognition for his unique combination of size, skill, and court vision.
• Played for Mega Basket in Serbia’s Adriatic Basketball Association, where his exceptional performances attracted attention from NBA scouts.
• Selected by the Denver Nuggets with the 41st overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, an under-the-radar choice that would later prove to be one of the greatest draft steals in NBA history.
• Made his NBA debut in 2015, gradually establishing himself as a cornerstone of the Nuggets and earning his first All-Star selection in 2019.

Nikola Jokić’s family and upbringing have played a central role in shaping his life, career, and values, reflecting his deep ties to his Serbian roots.

• His father, Branislav, worked as an agricultural engineer,
• Grew up in a small two-bedroom apartment shared with his parents, grandmother, and two older brothers, Strahinja and Nemanja.
• Both brothers, Strahinja and Nemanja, have basketball backgrounds, with Nemanja playing college basketball in the United States and professionally in leagues like the Premier Basketball League.
• Jokić married his longtime girlfriend, Natalija Mačešić, on October 24, 2020, in his hometown of Sombor. The couple welcomed their first child, a daughter, in 2021, marking a new chapter in their family life.