Nikola Jokić

Jokić grew up in Sombor alongside two older brothers, Nemanja and Strahinja, who first introduced him to the sport of basketball. His brother Nemanja later played collegiate basketball in the United States at the University of Detroit Mercy.

In October 2020, Jokić married Natalija Mačešić. Together, the couple has two children.

Outside of basketball, Jokić has maintained a lifelong passion for equestrian sports and horse racing, which began during his teenage years. He regularly participates in harness racing during his offseasons in Serbia, owning racehorses including Delicious Gar.

Jokić developed his playmaking instincts early in life, pairing guard-like passing vision with his towering frame. At age 17, he relocated to Belgrade to join the professional club KK Mega Basket (also known as Mega Vizura) in the Adriatic Basketball Association (ABA).

During his first year in Belgrade, Jokić competed primarily with Mega Basket's junior squad, earning junior league MVP honors. He stepped into a central role for the senior team the following season, drawing the attention of NBA scouts.

The Denver Nuggets selected Jokić in the second round of the 2014 NBA draft with the 41st overall pick. The selection occurred during a television commercial break on ESPN, famously appearing on screen over an advertisement for Taco Bell. Jokić remained with Mega Basket for the 2014-15 season to gain further professional experience, going on to average 15.4 points and 9.2 rebounds per game while claiming the ABA MVP award.

Jokić moved to the United States for the 2015-16 season and made an immediate impact, earning NBA All-Rookie First Team honors after averaging 10.0 points and 7.0 rebounds per game. He soon claimed the starting center role from Jusuf Nurkić, who was subsequently traded during the 2016-17 campaign.

His production expanded rapidly, leading to his first NBA All-Star selection during the 2018-19 season when he guided Denver to a division title. In 2020-21, Jokić became the first player in Nuggets history to win the NBA Most Valuable Player award after averaging 26.4 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 8.3 assists per game. He repeated as league MVP in 2021-22, recording the highest single-season Player Efficiency Rating in NBA history.

During the 2022-23 postseason, Jokić led Denver to its first Western Conference championship and NBA title. In the five-game Finals victory over the Miami Heat, he averaged 30.2 points, 14.0 rebounds, and 7.2 assists to secure the NBA Finals MVP award. He also recorded 10 triple-doubles during the 2023 playoff run, surpassing Wilt Chamberlain's record of seven from 1967. Jokić claimed his third NBA MVP award following the 2023-24 regular season.

Jokić represented Serbia at the youth international level, winning a silver medal at the 2013 FIBA U-19 World Championship in Czechia. In 2016, he was named MVP of the FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament held in Belgrade.

At the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Jokić helped Serbia reach the gold medal match, securing an Olympic silver medal. He later played for the national team at the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup and EuroBasket 2022.

At the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, Jokić led the Serbian national team to an Olympic bronze medal. Over the course of the tournament, he led all participating players in total points, rebounds, and assists.