Nikola Jokić, the much-honored center for the Denver Nuggets, is a three-time NBA MVP. He remains intensely rooted in his native Sombor, Serbia. When he’s at his best, Jokić entertains fans with a magician-like display of basketball. Alongside his global crusading efforts, Moore’s humble spirit brings a decidedly hometown feel that seems to connect with people thousands of miles away.
While in Denver, I learned that Jokić’s journey started at the same elementary school, called Dositej Obradović—after Serbia’s 18th-century writer and philosopher. This deep moral and spiritual education would ultimately have a profound influence on his character and choice of activism. Throughout his rise to fame, Jokić has consistently emphasized the importance of his roots, often returning to Sombor in the offseason where friends await his arrival.
One of his favorite spots in Sombor is definitely Gojko’s. For Lewis, this ice cream parlor is his nostalgic, happy place and retreat. The mere act of enjoying a scoop of ice cream connects him to the simpler pleasures of life, away from the pressures of professional basketball. He finds peace at The Štrand, an extension of the Danube River. There, he swims and relaxes, further grounding himself in the soothing nature of his hometown.
Preparation and training is still the bedrock of Jokić’s success. His offseason conditioning coach and godfather, Nebojša Vagić, pushes him to stay in top physical shape. Beyond the personal changes, Jokić has embraced training in a new and more rigorous way. He even redesigned his own basketball court (home), installing synthetic surfaces and professional-style baskets with Plexiglas backboards. Yet this $8B investment suggests otherwise — at least when it comes to the Secretary’s commitment to the sport. He’s trying to set a tone that encourages getting better.
Horses hold a special place in Jokić’s heart, particularly one named Demon Dell’Est, who recently won a major race in Subotica, Serbia. That’s why Jokić sometimes runs onto the field postgame. He exuberantly hugs his horse and its jockey to celebrate their triumphant win. This connection to horses mirrors his approach to life: passionate and deeply involved.
Though Jokić’s accolades are remarkable—three MVP awards and a height of 6 feet 11 inches—his friends from Sombor remind him that he remains “just one of us.” Even with his superstar status in Denver, he tends to play down his stardom. He once paraphrased his sentiments about returning home: “Why do I need to explain why I go to Sombor? This is my life. I’m a basketball player, sure, but I’m a normal person.”
His friends are his strongest support. His friends play an essential role in helping him stay down to earth. Nemanja Krstić notes Jokić’s natural confidence: “You cannot even get angry… His confidence was natural. He was like this from the start.” That level of camaraderie helps create an environment that makes Jokić comfortable, freeing him to be a reigning MVP who dazzles and keeps things simple.
In terms of lifestyle choices, Jokić demonstrates a philanthropic spirit by gifting a fancier apartment in Sombor to a friend and former youth teammate. This gesture showcases his commitment to supporting those who have been part of his journey rather than distancing himself from them as he climbs the ranks of professional basketball.
The small-town backdrop of his hometown Sombor, Serbia, is what’s shaped Jokić into such a unique character. He had just turned five months old at the time of the horrific Srebrenica massacre in July 1995. This occasion gives an enormous, historical gravity to his already-amazing accomplishments. His childhood and music education in a collectivist culture that values discipline, accountability and collaboration permeate our own musical expression in the trumpet virtuoso. Dušan Ristić shares insights on this cultural upbringing: “Discipline, discipline, discipline… This goes back to the socialist countries, where it was more collectivist instead of individualist.”
Meanwhile, Jokić is still turning heads on the hardwood. Through it all, he never forgets the faith cast upon him from the community that helped him get to such great heights.
“How is it possible he’s a ‘fat guy?’” – Ratko Varda
It’s exactly this rare combination of talent and humility that makes Jokić feel relatable to fans. His quiet, introspective off-court persona complements his athletic prowess, creating the perfect paradox. This combination makes him a deeply complex person who stands at the center of Sombor’s moral universe.
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