The father of the Denver Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic revealed the Serbian NBA star keeps a tight circle of friends around him and enjoys the simple things in life when he bids to get away from the stardom of the Ball Arena.
The 29-year-old professional basketball is known for his determined attitude, exceptional talent and steely demeanor that has seen him becoming a triple NBA MVP but despite the fame, he doesn’t welcome people into his life very often.
Nikola Jokic faces criticism from NBA fans after celebrating Serbia’s win
“He doesn’t hang out with new friends,” Branislav Jokic said to Sportal of his son. “It’s hard for him to accept new people around him.
“They have to be from the world of basketball or horses, something else very difficult. Maybe he needs to go rafting in Belgrade, but what’s the point? To be a public figure?
“He’s not interested in that. He has music here and a favorite bar where he goes on Fridays and Saturdays with his childhood friends.”
In fact, when Jokic moved to the United States to begin his basketball career in 2015, he had brought his two brothers and his now-wife with him instead of thrusting himself into meeting new people, highlighting his introversion.
Jokic’s stallion passion
Now, horses might not be the first thing you would associate with a 6ft10in 284lb center, widely regarded as the finest in his position who averaged 26.4 points per game, 12.4 rebounds and nine assists through 2023.
But it goes back to his early childhood as one of his joys of life from Serbia, where he had a passion for harness racing that still remains to this day, and is it turns out, his interest in looking after the animals continues to grow.
“Nikola enjoys the simple things in life,” Branislav said to Sportal of his son. “We’re planning to build family homes and set up a hippodrome so he can satisfy his love for horses.
“What more could he need? It’s not like we didn’t have a summer house, horses, or similar things before, but what more does he need than this?”
