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Discover 15 fascinating facts about Nikola Jokic that might surprise you
Lenah Ann
May 14, 2024 at 1:22 PM
Nikola Jokic is a Serbian professional basketball player who plays as a centre for the Denver Nuggets in the NBA. With his style of play, he is a versatile player in the sport's history and is often considered one of the greatest centres of all time. So, what are some fun facts about Nikola Jokic? Let us find out.
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Table of Сontents:
Many sports pundits hail him as one of the greatest NBA draft steals. He has bagged numerous trophies and awards, including the 2023 NBA championship title, the NBA Finals MVP, and a two-time NBA Most Valuable Player. Here is everything you need to know about the renowned Serbian basketball star.
Nikola Jokic's profile summary
Full name | Nikola Jokic |
Nickname | The Joker |
Date of birth | 9 February 1995 |
Age | 29 (as of May 2024) |
Place of birth | Sombor, Serbia, FR Yugoslavia |
Nationality | Serbian |
Ethnicity | White |
Height | 6 feet 11 inches or 211 centimetres |
Weight | 284 pounds or 129 kilograms |
Parents | Branislav, Nikolina |
Sibling(s) | Strahinja, Nemanja |
Occupation | Professional basketball player |
NBA draft | 2nd round, 41st overall, 2014 |
Active years | 2012-present |
Position | Centre |
Current team | Denver Nuggets |
Net worth | $50 million |
Social media presence |
Top 15 facts about Nikola Jokic
The famous basketball legend started his career young, playing with his two older brothers. Here are the top 15 interesting facts about Nikola Jokic that might surprise you, according to the NBA.
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15. He is one of the best passers ever
As a centre, he throws some of the best passes in the NBA. In 2023, he averaged a career-high of 9.8 assists per game. With his passes, the Nuggets became the 2023 NBA champions, and he bagged the year's NBA Finals MVP award.
14. Putting a ring on it
The Serbian star has always been open about his love life. During an interview, he claimed that his family was the thing he loved more than basketball. He often wears his wedding ring tied on his shoelaces before a match.
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13. The Jokic-Murray connection
The bond between the big man and Jamal Murray is one of the best on the court. In the regular season, he passed the ball to Murray 1,549 times, and Murray passed the ball to him 1,273 times. Only Brown comes close with 808 and 820, respectively.
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12. His ring celebration
After a game, the renowned basketball player and his daughter have a particular celebration in which they both point to their ring fingers. While some believe they are mocking the basketball gods by doing this, others find it quite cute.
11. Internet influence
When the famous Serbian national was 14, his only window into the NBA was through YouTube. He was first drawn in by highlights of Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan, followed by videos of excellent passers and large men.
10. The NBA was not his first major league
Unlike most NBA players who played college basketball before being drafted, the Serbian superstar played for the KK Mega Basket in the Serbian league. He was drafted in 2014.
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9. He was not a major draft pick
With his lesser-known name and route to the National Basketball Association, he was not considered a fantastic draft pick. Despite that, he got drafted in the second round after a long wait due to team building. Even though Europe produces amazing players, most people overlook the continent when searching for the next big NBA stars.
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8. He loves horses
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The renowned basketball player participated in an amateur competitive horse race at a young age. He once quit a halftime basketball match for a chariot horse race. In an interview with Slam Media Inc., he said,
I just fell in love with horses and their beauty and elegance. It was like a hobby for me. I did not get serious with it. And I was not taking basketball seriously either. I was in between both.
7. He has a unique shot
Aside from being famous for his style of play, he is also known for his unique shot. He is one of the more unpredictable athletes on the court and is difficult to block. Some commentators have even compared him to water polo players.
6. He loves soda
The famous NBA star loves soda, and before he quit, fans used to joke that he would drink almost three litres before a match.
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5. He came from humble beginnings
The renowned star grew up in a tiny, cramped two-bedroom apartment alongside his two elder brothers. They lived with their grandmother, and his father worked as an agricultural engineer.
Source: Getty Images
4. He holds an impressive record for triple-doubles
According to Sportster's top 10 facts about Nikola Jokic, the Serbian recorded the fastest triple-double in NBA history in fourteen minutes and thirty-three seconds.
3. He was not in the best shape in Serbia
Although most basketball players are always in their best form in their youth, Jokic was not that way. He was extremely out of shape before entering the NBA and could not even perform push-ups. Later, he shed up to thirty pounds for his fitness.
2. He was drafted during a Taco Bell Commercial
Among the top fun facts about Nikola Jokic is being drafted during a Taco Bell Commercial. Although every basketball player hopes to get drafted, the Serbian was unprepared for what transpired.
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1. He had a funny injury
Injuries are common in any sport, including basketball. They often sideline players for the rest of their careers or some matches. For Jokic, it was a minor one caused by signing numerous autographs.
Source: Getty Images
Nikola Jokic's biography
The Serbian basketball player Nikola Jokic (age 29 as of May 2024) was born on 9 February 1995 in Sombor, Serbia, FR Yugoslavia, to his parents Branislav and Nikolina. According to People, Jokic grew up in his hometown alongside his two brothers, Strahinja and Nemanja.
Frequently asked questions
Despite hailing from a humble background, the Serbian national has become one of the best basketball players in history, ranking among the top 10 all-time NBA players with the most triple-doubles. Here are the frequently asked questions about the famous legend.
How did Jokic lose weight?
The renowned legend capitalised on the COVID-19 lockdown to work on himself after concerns about his weight arose. At the beginning of the season, Republic World reveled Nikola weighed 284 pounds before losing 20 to 25 pounds through exercise and diet.
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How fast is Nikola Jokic?
According to StatMuse, the Serbian superstar averaged 12.4 rebounds, 26.4 points, and 9.0 assists in 79 games in the 2023/24 season. He also has an average speed of 4.17 during offence and 3.58 during defence.
Why is Jokic called the joker?
Have you ever wondered how Jokic got his nickname? Sporting News reported that the renowned star got his nickname from former Nugget player Mike Miller, who was having trouble pronouncing his name, which is pronounced "Yo-kitch", so he went for a more Americanised nickname, "The Joker".
Source: Getty Images
How much does Jokic make a year?
As per Celebrity Net Worth, the renowned basketball player has a net worth of approximately $50 million as of May 2024 and makes around $30 million annually. Aside from his salary, he made most of his fortune through brand endorsements and sponsorship deals.
Is Nikola Jokic married?
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The Serbian superstar is married to his high school sweetheart Natalija, who graduated in May 2018 from the Metropolitan State University of Denver. According to NY Post, the duo tied the knot on 24 October 2020 in Sombor, Serbia, and they have a daughter named Ognjena.
Is Nikola Jokic on Instagram?
The renowned basketball player is a celebrity icon across various social media platforms due to the fascinating facts about him. As of May 2024, he is on Instagram, where he has amassed over 279k followers.
Final word
The most fascinating facts about Nikola Jokic are the definition of his story from a humble beginning to stardom. Since most fans have always wanted to know more about him, they are intrigued by these facts, which depict what kind of a person he is.
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