Nikola Jokić Biography, Nikola Jokić is a Serbian professional basketball player who currently plays as a center for the Denver Nuggets in the NBA. Known by the nickname “The Joker,” Jokić is widely considered one of the greatest players and centers of all time, and is often regarded as the best draft steal in NBA history. A six-time NBA All-Star, Jokić has been selected to the All-NBA Team six times, including four first-team selections.
Nikola Jokić Biography 2024
Denver Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokić is back on the court after missing three games for personal reasons. The three-time NBA MVP had kept the details of his absence private, leaving fans curious about his sudden appearance on the injury report. Jokić had been listed as questionable for the previous two games as well. However, Insider Shams Charania provided an update on the situation, revealing that Jokić and his wife, Natalija Macesic, had welcomed a newborn son on Thursday. Charania tweeted:
“Sources: Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokić – out since Nov. 10 due to personal reasons – will return to the lineup tonight vs. the Dallas Mavericks (10 pm ET, ESPN). Jokić and his partner welcomed a newborn son Thursday night.” Despite missing practice on Thursday, Jokić returned just in time to play in the Nuggets’ NBA Cup game against the Dallas Mavericks on Friday.
Nikola Jokić Biography 2024 Details
| Born | February 19, 1995 (age 29)
Sombor, Serbia, FR Yugoslavia |
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| Nationality | Serbian |
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| Listed height | 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) |
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| Listed weight | 284 lb (129 kg) |
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| NBA draft | 2014: 2nd round, 41st overall pick |
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| Playing career | 2012–present |
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| Category | Football Biographies |
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Nikola Jokić Latest News
Nikola Jokić will make his return to the Denver Nuggets’ lineup on Friday evening against the Dallas Mavericks after missing the past three games due to personal reasons. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Jokić and his wife, Natalija, recently welcomed their second child, a newborn son. The three-time NBA MVP is averaging 29.7 points, 13.7 rebounds, and 11.7 assists this season, and his return is a welcome boost for the Nuggets, who went 1-2 without him. Denver struggled offensively in those two losses, averaging just 92.0 points per game.
In addition to Jokić’s absence, the Nuggets have also been without Aaron Gordon, who is recovering from a right calf strain. The Mavericks, who will face the Nuggets on Friday, will be without their star player Luka Dončić. Dončić is dealing with a right wrist strain and will be re-evaluated in a week, according to Charania. Jokić’s last game was on Nov. 10, when he led the Nuggets to a 122-120 victory over the Mavericks, recording a triple-double with 37 points, 18 rebounds, and 15 assists. The game featured a standout performance by Kyrie Irving, who scored a game-high 43 points on 17-of-22 shooting.
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About Nikola Jokić
Nikola Jokić is a Serbian professional basketball player who is a center for the Denver Nuggets of the National Basketball Association. Nicknamed “the Joker”, he is widely regarded as one of the greatest players and centers of all time, and is often considered the greatest draft steal in NBA history.
- Born: 19 February 1995 (age 29 years), Sombor, Serbia
- Current teams: Denver Nuggets (#15 / Center), Serbia national basketball team (#15 / Center), Serbia
- Height: 2.11 m
- Parents: Branislav Jokić, Nikolina Jokić
- Siblings: Strahinja Jokić, Nemanja Jokić
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Early Life
Jokić was born in Sombor, a city in northern Serbia. He grew up in a small two-bedroom apartment with his two older brothers, parents, and grandmother. His father worked as an agricultural engineer. Jokić developed a passion for basketball early on, playing with his two brothers, Strahinja and Nemanja, who were a decade older than him. Both brothers played basketball in Serbia, with Nemanja later going on to play college basketball for Detroit Mercy and C.W. Post, as well as for the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Steamers in the Premier Basketball League. The brothers were also friends with former NBA player Darko Miličić. In addition to basketball, Jokić had a love for harness racing, which he competed in as an amateur, a passion he still enjoys today.
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Professional Career
Jokić began his basketball career with Vojvodina Srbijagas at the youth level, where he gained attention by posting an index rating greater than 50 in two consecutive games. In December 2012, he signed with Mega Vizura, although he initially played mainly for their junior team during the 2012–13 season. At just 17 years old, Jokić appeared in five games for the senior team in the Serbian League, averaging 1.8 points and 2.0 rebounds in 10.2 minutes per game. In February 2013, he signed a four-year contract with Mega Vizura.
During the 2013–14 season, Jokić received more playing time with the senior team. In 25 Adriatic League games, he averaged 11.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game. He also played 13 games in the Serbian League, posting similar numbers with an average of 10.9 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game.
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Nikola Jokic’s Net Worth
Nikola Jokić is estimated to have a net worth of around $80 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. He is currently under a historic supermax contract with the Denver Nuggets, valued at $276 million. When signed, this contract became the largest in NBA history.
Nikola Jokić’s Salary
For the 2024-2025 NBA season, Jokić’s salary is $51.4 million. This season marks the second year of his five-year contract extension with the Nuggets, which he signed in 2022.
Season | Salary |
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2023-2024 | $47.6 million |
2024-2025 | $51.4 million |
2025-2026 | $55.2 million |
2026-2027 | $59 million |
2027-2028 | $62.8 million |
Nikola Jokić’s Endorsements
Jokić, a three-time NBA MVP, has lucrative endorsement deals with well-known brands such as:
- 361 Degrees: A multi-year partnership signed in December 2023, with the company manufacturing his ‘Joker’ basketball shoe line.
- Western Union
- Somborac: A Serbian brand that produces rakija, a traditional fruit brandy.
- Panini: The trading card company.
His endorsement earnings are reported to be around $8 million, according to Forbes.
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Nikola Jokić’s House and Car Collection
Jokić owns a $2.4 million home in Denver, purchased in 2019. The house features six bedrooms, seven bathrooms, and a large backyard with a pool. His car collection includes a Jeep Grand Cherokee, Range Rover, and Mercedes-Benz GLE 43 AMG.
Nikola Jokić’s Investments
Jokić has invested in several properties in Serbia, including an apartment complex in his hometown of Sombor. He has also expressed interest in contributing to the development of basketball facilities in Serbia. Additionally, Jokić is a co-owner of BC Mega Basket, a Serbian basketball club he played for before entering the NBA.
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Where Was Nikola Jokić Drafted
Nikola Jokić was selected by the Denver Nuggets as the 41st overall pick in the second round of the 2014 NBA Draft. His draft night has since become a memorable moment in NBA history. The selection was overshadowed by a commercial break during the draft broadcast, where a Taco Bell ad aired at the very moment Jokić was chosen. At the time, Jokić’s selection was considered insignificant, but he later went on to become a three-time NBA MVP and Finals MVP, solidifying himself as one of the greatest players in the league.
