Nikola Jokić Biography Details, Age, Net Worth, and Basketball Career

Nikola Jokić is a Serbian basketball player who currently plays center for the Denver Nuggets. He was born on February 19, 1995, in Sombor, Serbia, which at the time was part of Yugoslavia. After starting his basketball career in Europe, the seven-foot Jokić was selected in the Second Round of the 2014 NBA Draft by the Denver Nuggets. He left home to play in the NBA a year later and has slowly become one of the best centers in the league.

After making an instant impact for the Nuggets, Jokić was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 2016. He continued to develop, being named an all-star in 2019 and 2020. Meanwhile, Jokić has also represented Serbia in international competitions. He was an important part of the Serbian team that won the Silver Medal at the 2016 Olympics after dominating teams during the Knockout Stage before losing to the United States in the Gold Medal Game. Much of his success on the court is due to Jokić having the size of a traditional big man but the skills and play-making ability of a smaller player.

Nikola Jokić Basketball Career

Nikola Jokić has an estimated net worth in the area of $30 million. However, that number is likely to increase significantly in the years to come. The 2019-20 season was his second since signing a five-year max deal for $148 million. During the 2021-22 season, his salary will eclipse the $30 million mark. He also has a shoe deal with Nike and endorsement deals with Panini and Western Union.

Nikola Jokić signed a three-year, $4.1 million contract with the Denver Nuggets in 2015.

Nikola Jokić signed a five-year, $148 million contract with the Denver Nuggets in 2018.

Nikola Jokić Personal Life

Little is known about the parents of Nikola Jokić. However, he has two older brothers, Nemanja and Strahinja. Nemanja played college basketball at Detroit-Mercy while Strahinja had a career in Europe. When he moved to Denver, his brothers moved with him. The three live in a three-bedroom apartment along with Natalija Macesic, who is Jokić’s longtime girlfriend. 

Jokić and Macesic are childhood sweethearts who started dating when they were 16. She has a psychology degree from the Metropolitan State University of Denver and has plans to pursue a Master’s Degree. The couple is unmarried and doesn’t have any kids.

Awards & Achievements

Nikola Jokić Fun Facts

• As a kid, Nikola Jokić was more interested in horse racing than basketball. His father had to force him to go to basketball training.
• Nikola Jokić also played soccer and water polo growing up.
• Growing up, Nikola Jokić enjoyed watching clips of Michael Jordan, Hakeem Olajuwon, and Magic Johnson. He admired Olajuwon’s mid-range game and Johnson’s passing skills.
• When he first signed with a pro team in Serbia, Nikola Jokić was unable to do a push-up.
• Before becoming serious about his diet and eating habits, Nikola Jokić would drink four liters of soda every day.
• When he was drafted by the Denver Nuggets, Nikola Jokić’s brothers woke him up to share the news, but he went back to sleep, thinking it was a dream.
• When Jokić and his girlfriend are playing cards with his older brothers, he encourages her to cheat.
• Nikola Jokić weighed around 300 pounds when he began his pro career in Serbia. Even after joining the Nuggets, he had lost over 30 pounds to get in shape.