Where is Nikola Jokić from? 7 facts about 'the world's best basketball player'
With the NBA playoffs underway, all eyes are on the reigning Finals champion, the Denver Nuggets, and their star player Nikola Jokić.
The standout center made NBA playoff history in April, becoming the 66th player to reach 2,000 career postseason points during the Nuggets' series-clinching Game 5 win over the Lakers in the first round.
Jokić is also a favorite for the 2023-24 season MVP. If he wins the award, it would be his third MVP in four seasons.
Here's what to know about the man some call "the world's best basketball player."
Where is Nikola Jokić from?
Jokić was born in Sombor, Serbia. He played professionally in Serbia before being selected by the Denver Nuggets with the 41st overall pick in the 2014 NBA draft.
Nikola Jokić height
Jokić is 6 feet, 11 inches tall.
Nikola Jokić age
Born Feb. 19, 1995, Jokić is 29 years old.
Nikola Jokić NBA contract
In 2022, Jokić signed a five-year $276.1 million contract with the Nuggets. He earns an average annual salary of $55.2 million, according to Spotrac.
Nikola Jokić stats
During the 2023-24 regular season, he averaged 26.4 points, 12.4 rebounds and 9.0 assists per contest, while shooting 58.3% from the field and 35.9% from the 3-point range.
Nikola Jokić horses
The two-time MVP has his own horse stable, Dream Catcher, in which he has racehorses. And 2023 was its best year yet, per The Denver Post.
“We grew. We grew,” Jokić said during training camp, per The Post. “My horses everywhere — I have them in France, Italy, Serbia. They’re all winning races, so I’m happy.”
“They don’t need to be winning races. That’s my hobby. I just wish that they are healthy and that they run good. They don’t need to win.”
The Athletic reported in March 2023 that Jokić had owned "more than half a dozen" horses at the time.
Jokić pulled up looking like Gru from Despicable Me 😂🔥
(via @nuggets) pic.twitter.com/4hsKA71G8R— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 20, 2024
Nikola Jokić’s Gru resemblance
Ahead of a playoff game against the Lakers, Jokić arrived dressed similarly to Gru from the "Despicable Me" franchise. He has since starred in a commercial for "Despicable Me 4."
“I love the guy and I love the cartoon,” Jokić said after the game, per The Hollywood Reporter. “Why not?”
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Where is Nikola Jokić from? Height, age, stats, contract, horses, more
