Nikola Jokic: Origin, Wife, Career Highlights and Awards & Many More

The National Basketball Association (NBA) has produced some of the greatest players of all time including , , and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

LeBron James in particular, his touted as the best player to ever play the game because he leads the NBA in career points and has featured for the USA team at the Olympics.

However, little is mentioned about foreign players who continue writing and tearing records in the NBA. in particular, has caught the attention of keen observers who consider him a rare breed.

Pulse Sports gives details about Nikola Jokic’s background, family, achievements he has had in his illustrious career and why he is considered among the best center players in the NBA.

Nikola Jokic: Origin, Wife, Career Highlights and Awards & Many More

Who is Nikola Jokic?

Nikola Jokić is a Serbian professional basketball player who plays as a center for the Denver Nuggets of the . Jokić was born in the city of Sombor in the northern part of Serbia.

He grew up in a cramped two-bedroom apartment that housed him, his two brothers, parents, and grandmother. He attended primary school Dositej Obradović. His father was an agricultural engineer. Jokic is 29 years old.

Who is Nikola Jokic’s Wife?

Jokic’s wife Natalija Jokic is always cheering him on. The couple’s romance dates all the way back to their high school years and has continued on through Nikola’s basketball career.

When the NBA player moved to Denver after joining the Nuggets in 2015, Nikola joined him, and in October 2020, they tied the knot. Nikola and Natalija welcomed their daughter, Ognjena, in September 2021, and since then, they’ve often been seen cheering Nikola on at his games.

They were even there when Nikola became the first NBA player to , 10 rebounds and five assists through his first 50 career postseason games (per Sports Illustrated) in April 2023.

Natalija even made headlines for her support of her husband in June 2023 when Altitude TV shared a video on X (formerly Twitter) of her cheering him on in the stands while wearing a Nuggets jersey as Nikola and his team won their first NBA championship.

Career Highlights and Awards

Nikola Jokic became an NBA champion 2023  for the first time in his career. The same year, he also bagged the Most Valuable Player award in the NBA finals. He has also been named NBA MVP in 2021, 2022 and 2024.

Jokic has featured seven times in the NBA All-Star (2019-2025).   The 6 ft 11 inch player, has been named the Serbian Player of the Year on four occasions (2018, 2021, 2022, 2024). 

Why Jokic is considered the best

Unparalleled Passing: Jokic possesses exceptional vision and court awareness, allowing him to make highly creative passes from the post, initiating plays in the pick-and-roll, and finding open teammates across the court, often at a level unmatched by other big men.                                                                             

High-Efficiency Scoring: Despite his size, Jokic is an incredibly efficient scorer, capable of finishing around the rim, hitting mid-range shots, and even stretching the floor with a reliable three-point shot, making him a multifaceted offensive threat.                                                                                                                                                               

Dominant Rebounding: Jokic’s size and positioning skills allow him to consistently grab rebounds on both ends of the court, often leading the league in rebounding statistics.

Unique Skillset for a Center: Unlike most traditional centers, Jokic combines size and strength with exceptional ball-handling and passing abilities, enabling him to create plays for himself and teammates from anywhere on the court.

Championship Leadership: Beyond individual statistics, Jokic has proven to be a key leader on the court, elevating his teammates and leading the Denver Nuggets to a recent NBA championship, further solidifying his position as a top player in the league