Nikola Jokic

Nikola Jokic, the skilled Serbian basketball player, showcases his versatility as the center for the Denver Nuggets in the NBA. He has achieved great recognition, having been selected for the All-NBA Team five times, including three first-team honors. Furthermore, he was awarded the NBA Most Valuable Player title for both the 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 seasons. Jokic also represents Serbia internationally, contributing to their silver medal win at the 2016 Summer Olympics. The Denver Nuggets drafted him in 2014, and he quickly proved his abilities by earning a spot on the NBA All-Rookie First Team for the 2015-2016 season. In 2019, he made his first appearance on the NBA All-Star team. Jokic made history as the first player in Nuggets franchise history to be crowned the NBA MVP in 2021 and 2022. In 2023, he led the Nuggets to their first-ever NBA title and was named the NBA Finals MVP. Prior to his NBA career, he played for KK Mega Basket from 2012 to 2015, where he received the Adriatic League MVP title in 2015. Additionally, Jokic represented Serbia's U-19 national basketball team, earning a silver medal at the 2013 World Championships. Jokic's remarkable performance in the 2023 NBA Finals included averaging 30.2 points, 14 rebounds, 7.2 assists, and 1.4 blocks, with shooting splits of 58% from the field, 42% from three-point range, and 84% from the free-throw line. Notably, he became the first player in NBA history to lead the entire postseason in total points (600), total rebounds (269), and total assists (186).

Nikola Jokic Background

Nikola Jokic, born on February 19, 1995, hails from Sombor, Serbia, in the former Yugoslavia. As a Serbian national, he identifies as Serbian and belongs to the white ethnicity. His religious affiliation is Christian, and he is categorized as white in terms of race. Currently 28 years old, Jokic falls under the zodiac sign of Pisces. His father, Branislav Jokic, worked as an agricultural engineer, while his mother, Nikolina Jokic, pursued a career in nursing. As the youngest child in the family, Jokic has two older brothers, Strahinja Jokic and Nemanja Jokic, with Strahinja being the eldest. Both brothers share a deep passion for the game of basketball.

Nikola Jokic NBA Career

Mega Basket

• Nikola Jokic began his basketball journey with Vojvodina Srbijagas, where he caught attention with outstanding performances, achieving a total index rating greater than 50 in two consecutive games. He later joined Mega Vizura (now KK Mega Basket) in December 2012, primarily playing for their junior team during the first season. 
• At the age of 17, he made appearances in five Serbian League games, averaging 1.8 points and 2 rebounds in 10.2 minutes per game. Jokic signed a four-year contract in February 2013 and saw increased playing time with the senior team in the 2013-2014 season. 
• He displayed impressive numbers, averaging 11.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game over 25 Adriatic League games. Additionally, he contributed similarly in 13 Serbian League games, averaging 10.9 points, 6 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game.
• Nikola was drafted by the Denver Nuggets on June 26, 2014, as the 41st overall pick in the 2014 NBA draft. In the 2014-2015 season, he emerged as one of the leaders for KK Mega Vizura after the departure of Ratko Varda. He showcased his skills early on, leading his team to a victory in the first game of the Adriatic League with 27 points and 15 rebounds, earning him the MVP of Round 1. 
• Throughout the season, he continued to impress, recording notable performances and earning multiple MVP honors. Despite Mega Leks finishing in 10th place in the Adriatic League, Jokic stood out as one of the league's most valuable players, averaging 15.4 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game. 
• He was officially recognized as the Adriatic League regular season MVP. Following his team's elimination in the Serbian League semifinals against Partizan Belgrade, Jokic decided to pursue an NBA career. In the 14 Serbian League games he played, he averaged 18.4 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game, shooting an impressive 56.6% from the field.

Denver Nuggets 

• Jokic made his move to the Denver Nuggets, joining them one season after being drafted during the summer of 2015. He signed a contract with the Nuggets on July 28, 2015, following an impressive performance in the summer league, where he averaged 8.0 points and 6.2 rebounds in five games for the team. Throughout his rookie season in the NBA, Jokic showcased his potential. 
• On November 18, 2015, he had a standout game, achieving a then-season-best performance with 23 points and 12 rebounds, despite the team's loss to the San Antonio Spurs. He continued to make an impact, recording career highs in various categories, such as nine assists on January 10, 2016, and 27 points along with 14 rebounds on February 1. Towards the end of the season, Jokic set a new career high with 15 rebounds in a victory over the San Antonio Spurs. His remarkable performance earned him recognition, finishing third in the 2016 NBA Rookie of the Year Award voting and securing a spot in the NBA All-Rookie First Team.
• Nikola displayed an impressive performance with 23 points and a career-high 17 rebounds in an overtime loss to the Portland Trail Blazers on October 29, 2016. Following his initial start in the first eight games of the season, he was moved to the bench on November 12 and continued in that role for the next 14 games. 
• During his time as a bench player, he achieved a season-high 27 points and 11 rebounds in a game against the Dallas Mavericks on December 12. However, on December 15, Jokic was reinserted into the starting lineup, which marked a turning point for the team, as they scored 132 points and secured a victory against the Portland Trail Blazers. 
• This decision solidified Jokic as a key player for the Nuggets, and fans celebrated the occasion, referring to December 15 as "Jokmas." Throughout the season, Jokic had numerous notable performances, including near triple-doubles, career-high scoring games, and his first career triple-double on February 3, 2017. 
• He finished the season with several triple-doubles, ranking fourth in the league behind Russell Westbrook, James Harden, and LeBron James. Jokic also earned recognition in the 2017 NBA Most Improved Player Award voting and the 2017 Assist of the Year voting, finishing in second place in both categories.
• He achieved a career-high of 41 points in a victory over the Brooklyn Nets on November 7, 2017. He was recognized as the Western Conference Player of the Week on November 13 for his outstanding performances. Jokic had a brief absence due to a left ankle sprain in early December but bounced back with his first triple-double of the season on January 8. On February 15, he set a remarkable NBA record by reaching a triple-double in just 14 minutes and 33 seconds, the fastest in history.
• He continued to showcase his versatility throughout the season, achieving multiple triple-doubles and earning the Western Conference Player of the Week title for the second time. Despite a strong effort in the Nuggets' final game, they fell short of making the playoffs with a 46-36 record.
• He signed a lucrative five-year, $148 million contract extension with the Nuggets on July 8, 2018. He kicked off the season with an impressive triple-double performance, joining Wilt Chamberlain as the only player to achieve a triple-double with 30+ points without missing a field goal. Jokic continued to shine throughout the season, earning Western Conference Player of the Week honors and setting records for triple-doubles. 
• He received his first All-Star selection and delivered clutch performances, including a game-winning shot. In the playoffs, Jokic recorded a triple-double in his debut and set a franchise scoring record. Despite his exceptional efforts, the Nuggets were eliminated in the second round. Jokic's remarkable season led to his inclusion in the All-NBA First Team.
• He made a clutch game-winning jumper against the Philadelphia 76ers, leading the Nuggets to a comeback victory from a 21-point deficit on November 8, 2019. He continued his heroics in the next game, hitting another game-winning jumper in an overtime win over the Minnesota Timberwolves. Jokic showcased his scoring ability on January 6, 2020, with a career-high 47 points against the Atlanta Hawks. 
• He also achieved a remarkable 30-point, 20-rebound, and 10-assist game, a feat accomplished by only a few players in NBA history. Jokic received his second consecutive All-Star selection and played a pivotal role in the Nuggets' playoff run. He hit clutch shots, including a game-winning hook shot and a triple-double performance, as the Nuggets made history by overcoming multiple 3-1 deficits in a single postseason. However, their journey ended in the Western Conference Finals against the eventual NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers.
• He had an impressive start to the season, achieving four triple-doubles in his first six games. He set a career-high with 18 assists in a game, becoming the first center since Chamberlain in 1968 to accomplish this feat. Jokic continued his stellar performance throughout the season, earning multiple awards including Western Conference Player of the Week and Player of the Month. 
• He scored a career-high 50 points, joined an elite company with his statistical achievements, and set records for double-doubles and double-digit assist games by a center. Despite injuries, Jokic led the Nuggets to the third seed in the Western Conference, excelling in various advanced metrics. He finished with the most double-doubles and ranked second in triple-doubles for the season. 
• In the playoffs, Jokic displayed exceptional play but the Nuggets were eliminated in the Western Conference Semifinals. Nonetheless, his remarkable season culminated in Jokic winning the NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award, making history as the first center and lowest-drafted player to receive this honor. He also became the first MVP from the Denver Nuggets franchise and the first Serbian player to win the award.
• On November 8, 2021, Jokic and Morris were both ejected from a game against the Miami Heat after a physical altercation. Jokic was later suspended for one game by the NBA. In December, he achieved his 60th career triple-double, surpassed Larry Bird on the all-time triple-double list, and had an impressive performance against the New Orleans Pelicans. He also recorded a rare stat line of 25+ points, 20+ rebounds, and 5+ assists in consecutive games, a feat not seen since Charles Barkley in 1988.
• In January 2022, Jokic continued his dominance with multiple 25-point, 20-rebound, and 11-assist games. He reached his 67th career triple-double with a season-high 49 points and earned recognition as the best center in the NBA in an annual GM survey. Throughout the season, he achieved several milestones, including recording his 70th career triple-double and becoming the second-fastest player to reach 10,000 points, 5,000 rebounds, and 3,000 assists.
• In March, he had exceptional performances, scoring a 45-point triple-double while shooting 70% from the field, achieving his 75th career triple-double, and becoming the first player in NBA history to reach 2,000 points, 1,000 rebounds, and 500 assists in a single season. He finished the regular season with outstanding averages and led the Nuggets to a playoff berth.
• In the playoffs, Jokic had remarkable games but couldn't prevent the Nuggets from being eliminated by the Warriors in five games. Despite the loss, he received praise from opponents, and his impressive playoff performance showcased his skills and impact on the court.
• In May, he made history by winning the NBA Most Valuable Player Award for the second consecutive year and was named to the All-NBA First Team for the third time in his career, setting new records for the Nuggets franchise.
• He signed a record-breaking five-year, $264 million contract extension with the Nuggets on July 1, 2022. He achieved numerous milestones throughout the season, including becoming the all-time leader in triple-doubles by a center and setting multiple records in shooting percentages. 
• In the playoffs, he continued his dominant performance, leading the Nuggets to the Western Conference Finals and eventually the NBA Finals. On January 1, 2023, he achieved his 85th career triple-double, showcasing remarkable skills with 30 points, 12 rebounds, and 12 assists, all while maintaining a perfect record of zero turnovers. 
• His shooting performance was equally impressive, as he made 10 of 13 shots, including 2 of 2 from beyond the arc, and sank all 8 free throws. This outstanding performance led his team, the Denver Nuggets, to a 123-111 victory against the Boston Celtics. Notably, Jokic became the first player in NBA history to have multiple games with at least 30 points, 10 assists, and 10 rebounds without committing a turnover.
• On January 6, he continued his dominant play, recording another triple-double with 28 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists in a 121-108 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. With this achievement, he joined the ranks of Robertson, Westbrook, and Johnson as one of the few players in NBA history to record at least 10 triple-doubles in six different seasons.
• He also displayed his versatility once again, notching a triple-double with 14 points, 11 rebounds, and 16 assists on January 9. What made this performance truly extraordinary was his impeccable shooting accuracy, going 5-for-5 from the field and 3-for-3 from the free-throw line. He became the first player in NBA history to achieve double-digit points, rebounds, and 15 or more assists while shooting a flawless 100% from the field in a single game.
• Jokic's clutch abilities were on full display on January 15 when he sank a game-winning three-pointer, securing a thrilling 119-116 victory over the Orlando Magic.
• In another historic feat on January 17, Jokic delivered a triple-double performance with 36 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists, shooting an astounding 13-of-14 from the field, in a 122-113 win against the Portland Trail Blazers. This accomplishment made him the first player in NBA history to record two 35-point triple-doubles while maintaining a remarkable 90% shooting accuracy.
• The following day, Jokic notched his 90th career triple-double and second in a row, posting 31 points, 11 rebounds, and 13 assists in a 122-118 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves. Alongside this milestone, he surpassed Alex English's record (3,679) to become the Nuggets' all-time assists leader, marking him as the first center in NBA history to lead a franchise in career assists.
• His exceptional performances did not go unnoticed, as he was named a Western Conference starter for the 2023 NBA All-Star Game on January 26. This marked his fifth consecutive selection and third consecutive start in the All-Star Game.
• On January 31, Jokic further solidified his status as a triple-double maestro, achieving his 92nd career triple-double with 26 points, 18 rebounds, and 15 assists in a 122-113 victory over the New Orleans Hornets.
• For his exceptional play throughout January, he received the Western Conference Player of the Month award, the fifth time in his career. This achievement established him as the leader in most Player of the Month honors in Nuggets franchise history. Additionally, his eight triple-doubles in a single month put him in the elite company of Chamberlain as the only center in NBA history to achieve eight or more triple-doubles in a month. 
• Notably, Jokic's shooting percentages of 65% from the field, 50% from three-point range, and 85% from the free throw line during that month made him the first player ever to achieve such splits in a month.
• Jokic achieved his 93rd career triple-double on February 2, scoring 22 points, grabbing 14 rebounds, and providing 16 assists in a 134-117 victory against the Golden State Warriors, making him part of an exclusive group of seven players in NBA history. He continued his impressive performance with back-to-back games of 20+ points, 10+ rebounds, and 15+ assists, joining the ranks of legendary players such as Robertson, Johnson, Westbrook, James, Harden, and Luka Dončic. On February 15, Jokic and the Nuggets secured their 25th consecutive win when he recorded a triple-double, establishing a new NBA record for most consecutive team wins with a player achieving a triple-double, surpassing the Lakers' record from 1984-87. 
• Following the All-Star Weekend on February 23, Jokic logged another triple-double with 24 points, 18 rebounds, and 13 assists in a 115-109 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers. On February 26, he delivered an exceptional performance with 40 points, 17 rebounds, 10 assists, and 3 steals in a 134-124 overtime win against the Los Angeles Clippers. 
• In the next game, he reached a significant milestone by recording his 100th career triple-double with 14 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists in a 133-112 victory over the Houston Rockets, becoming only the sixth player in NBA history to accomplish this feat. Moreover, Jokic made history by becoming the first player in Nuggets' franchise history to win the Western Conference Player of the Month award for two consecutive months (February and March).
• On March 12, Jokic displayed an outstanding performance with 35 points, 20 rebounds, 11 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks in a 134-124 loss against the Brooklyn Nets. This achievement made him the first player since the NBA-ABA merger to achieve multiple games with at least 35 points, 20 rebounds, and 10 assists in a single season, and the third player in NBA history to do so, joining the ranks of Chamberlain and Elgin Baylor. 
• On March 27, he recorded 25 points, 17 rebounds, and 12 assists in a 116-111 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers, becoming one of only three players in NBA history, alongside Chamberlain and Robertson, to accumulate 10+ games in a season with at least 20 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists. 
• At the conclusion of the regular season on April 9, he achieved career-highs in field goal percentage (63.2%) and assists per game (9.8), leading the Nuggets to clinch the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference playoffs for the first time in franchise history. Additionally, he topped various statistical categories, including triple-doubles (29), and became the sole player to average at least 20 points, 10 rebounds, and nine assists on at least 60% shooting over a single season. 
• He also set new records in field goal percentage, effective field goal percentage, and true shooting for the Nuggets, while leading the league in player efficiency rating, win shares, offensive win shares, box plus-minus, offensive box plus-minus, defensive box plus-minus, and value over replacement player.
• During the first round of the playoffs against the Minnesota Timberwolves, in Game 2, Jokic contributed 27 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists in a 122-113 victory. He became the first player in NBA history to average at least 25 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists through their first 50 career playoff games. 
• In Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals, Jokic recorded a triple-double with 34 points, 21 rebounds, and 14 assists in a 132-126 victory against the Los Angeles Lakers. This performance tied him with Westbrook for the third-most playoff triple-doubles in NBA history. He also became the first player ever in NBA postseason history to achieve multiple triple-doubles with 30+ points and 20+ rebounds.
• Moving on to Game 2, Jokic secured his fourth consecutive triple-double and seventh overall in the playoffs, contributing 23 points, 17 rebounds, 12 assists, and 3 steals in a 108-103 win. This made him the second player in NBA playoff history to achieve four consecutive triple-doubles and one of only two players to reach seven triple-doubles in a single postseason, joining Wilt Chamberlain. He also surpassed Westbrook to claim the third spot on the all-time playoff triple-doubles list.
• In Game 4, he achieved his 14th career playoff triple-double and eighth of the playoffs, breaking Chamberlain's 1967 NBA record for most triple-doubles in a single postseason. He finished the game with 30 points, 14 rebounds, 13 assists, and 3 blocks in a 113-111 victory. Jokic received his first NBA Conference Finals Most Valuable Player Award, averaging a triple-double of 27.8 points, 14.5 rebounds, and 11.8 assists throughout the series, leading the Nuggets to sweep the Los Angeles Lakers and advance to their first-ever NBA Finals.
• Entering Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Miami Heat, Jokic achieved another triple-double with 27 points, 14 assists, and 10 rebounds in a 104-93 win. He joined Jason Kidd as the only player in NBA history to accomplish a triple-double in their NBA Finals debut. Jokic and Jamal Murray also became the second pair of teammates in NBA history to both score at least 25 points and provide 10 assists in an NBA Finals game, following Magic Johnson and James Worthy in the 1987 NBA Finals.
• In Game 2, he contributed 41 points, 11 rebounds, and 4 assists, despite a 111-108 loss. He joined LeBron James and Larry Bird as the only players in NBA history to record 500+ points, 200+ rebounds, and 150+ assists in a single postseason. Additionally, he became the first center in NBA history to achieve 500+ points and 100+ assists in a single postseason.
• Moving to Game 3, Jokic became the first player ever to record a 30-point, 20-rebound, and 10-assist performance in an NBA Finals game. He finished the game with 32 points, 21 rebounds, and 10 assists, leading the Nuggets to a 109-94 win. It marked his 10th triple-double of the postseason. Jokic and Jamal Murray also became the first teammates in NBA history, both in the regular season and playoffs, to achieve 30-point triple-doubles in the same game. Murray accomplished this feat in Game 3 as well.
• In Game 4, Jokic tallied 23 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, and 3 blocks in a 108-95 victory over the Heat. He became the first player in NBA history to achieve at least 500 points, 250 rebounds, and 150 assists in a single postseason.
• Lastly, in Game 5, he secured 28 points, 16 rebounds, and 4 assists, shooting 12-of-16 from the field in a 94-89 win over the Heat, leading the Nuggets to their first NBA championship in franchise history. He was unanimously named Finals MVP and became the lowest draft pick ever in NBA history to receive this award. 
• Throughout the 2023 NBA Finals, Jokic averaged 30.2 points, 14 rebounds, 7.2 assists, and 1.4 blocks on shooting splits of 58% from the field, 42% from three-point range, and 84% from the free-throw line. He also became the first player in NBA history to lead the entire postseason in total points (600), total rebounds (269), and total assists (186).

National team career

• Jokic showcased his talent on the Serbian U-19 national basketball team, helping them secure the silver medal at the 2013 FIBA Under-19 World Championship. Throughout the tournament, he maintained averages of 7.1 points, 5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game over eight matches.
• In 2016, he represented Serbia at the FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament held in Belgrade. His outstanding performances earned him the tournament MVP title, as he contributed an average of 17.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game. Subsequently, at the 2016 Summer Olympics, Jokic played a crucial role in Serbia's journey to the silver medal, despite a loss to the United States in the final game, which ended with a score of 96-66.
• He also expressed his commitment to playing for Serbia at the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup, announcing his participation on May 24, 2019. The Serbian national team was regarded as a strong contender for the championship. However, they faced an unexpected upset in the quarterfinals against Argentina, ultimately finishing in fifth place despite victories over the United States and the Czech Republic. Jokic proved to be an essential player for the team, averaging 11.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.8 assists over eight games, with an impressive shooting percentage of 68.0%.
• After a three-year hiatus, Jokic made a comeback to the national team on June 15, 2022, for the 2023 FIBA World Cup qualifiers and EuroBasket 2022. During EuroBasket 2022, he led Serbia to a flawless 5-0 record and secured first place in Group D.
• However, their journey was cut short in the Round of 16 with an unexpected loss to Italy, despite Jokic's remarkable performance of 32 points, 13 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals. He stood out as the team's top player, averaging 21.7 points, 10.0 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 1.8 steals over six games. Jokic showcased his efficiency with shooting percentages of 66.2% from the field, 46.2% from three-point range, and 90.9% from the free-throw line.

Awards and Achievements

• NBA champion (2023)
• NBA Finals MVP (2023)
• 2× NBA Most Valuable Player (2021, 2022)
• 5× NBA All-Star (2019-2023)
• NBA Western Conference Finals MVP (2023)
• 3× All-NBA First Team (2019, 2021, 2022)
• 2× All-NBA Second Team (2020, 2023)
• NBA All-Rookie First Team (2016)
• 3× Serbian Player of the Year (2018, 2021, 2022)
• ABA League MVP (2015)
• ABA League Top Prospect (2015)

Who is Nikola Jokic married to?

Nikola Jokic, the renowned basketball player, embarked on a lifelong journey with his beloved partner, Natalija Mačešic, as they exchanged vows on October 24, 2020, in their shared hometown of Sombor. The celebration of their union was a testament to their enduring love and commitment. Their joy expanded with the arrival of their daughter in September 2021, adding another dimension of happiness to their domestic life. It is evident that their relationship is built on a solid foundation of understanding, support, and deep affection. Their unwavering bond has stood the test of time, symbolizing the strength of their connection. It is important to note that Jokic identifies as heterosexual, embracing his authentic self within his personal life.

Nikola Jokic salary 

Nikola Jokic boasts a remarkable net worth of $50 million as of 2023, propelled by his illustrious basketball career. His annual salary of $32.48 million exemplifies his valuable contributions to the sport. Beyond his financial achievements, Jokic's serene and affable demeanor has captivated fans and experts alike, foreshadowing a future of heightened popularity and even greater triumphs. Leveraging his prominent status, he has engaged in endorsement partnerships with esteemed brands, further augmenting his wealth. Undoubtedly, his basketball endeavors remain the primary source of his income, fueling his ascent up the ladder of success.

Nikola Jokic's height, weight & size

Nikola Jokic, standing at an impressive height of 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) and weighing 284 lb (129 kg), possesses not only a towering presence on the basketball court but also a striking appearance off of it. With his good looks, he catches the attention of many admirers. His short brown hair complements his features, accentuating his charismatic aura. Adding to his allure, Jokic's dark brown eyes captivate those who gaze into them, hinting at a depth of character beneath his athletic exterior. Speaking of athleticism, his body build type reflects the hard work and dedication he invests in maintaining his physical prowess.