Nikola Jokic isn’t your typical NBA superstar. He doesn’t crave attention. He’s not on social media showing off cars or designer fits. At the end of the day, he’s just a Serbian kid who grew up in a packed apartment with his grandma, two wild older brothers, and two loving parents who gave him the world without ever needing to leave home.
So, who are the people behind the Denver Nuggets’ superstar? Let’s get into the heart of it: his parents, his siblings, and the life that shaped Nikola Jokic into the humble, horse-loving basketball genius we see today.
Who is Nikola Jokic’s mother, Nikolina?
Nikolina Jokic might not be front and center at games or giving interviews. But make no mistake, she’s been one of the biggest influences in Nikola’s life.
She was the first to notice Nikola’s obsession with the game. “My mom said even before I could remember, when I still had a pacifier, I would just sit and watch [my brothers] play [basketball],” Jokic shared. “I would just sit there for hours and watch them.”
Even now, with her youngest son being one of the biggest names in the NBA, Nikolina stayed rooted in the quiet life, always behind the scenes but never far from her son’s heart. She keeps his Serbian roots alive, visiting him in the U.S. whenever possible – always bringing homemade Serbian dishes as a reminder of home. She’s been a steady presence in his life, no matter how far he travels.
While his mother nurtured his early passion for basketball, his father introduced him to another lifelong love.
Who is Nikola Jokic’s father, Branislav? What does he do for a living?
Branislav Jokić, Nikola’s father, holds his own quiet legend. He’s an agricultural engineer by profession, but that’s only part of the story. The real connection between father and son? Horses.
Branislav was the one who introduced Nikola to harness racing, and it stuck. Big time. But if not for Branislav, we would have missed out on Nikola Jokic, the basketball player, entirely. The Joker originally wished to become a horseman. But it was his father who changed his mind. “He would say, ‘Dad, I want to become a horseman.’ And I used to tell him: ‘Son, become a basketball player first, and you’ll become a great horseman later.’ ” And that’s the conversation that led to the Denver Nuggets getting one of the greatest centers in history.
But switching gears for a bit, Nikola shares an extremely close bond with two others in his family. No prizes for guessing who they are.
Does Nikola Jokic have any siblings?
If you haven’t guessed yet, we were talking about Nikola’s brothers.
Many have wondered how the Joker copes with the physicality of the NBA after coming over from a more technical league. Well, try surviving life with two older brothers who also happen to be legit hoopers. That’ll tell you all you need to know.
Strahinja and Nemanja Jokic are Nikola’s big brothers. And they all used to live in a tiny, two-bedroom apartment back in Serbia. “It was my mom, dad, me, my two brothers, and my grandma,” Jokic recalled. “It was always a full house of people, and we always mess around. We were crazy kids.”
Strahinja played professional basketball in Serbia before retiring. Nemanja took his talents to the U.S., playing for the University of Detroit Mercy and then transferring to LIU Post. He even had a short run with the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Steamers in the Premier Basketball League before heading back overseas.
But you know what’s really special? How close all three of them still are. The brothers are always around, traveling, attending games, and celebrating big wins. They’re kind of like a personal support squad who also happen to know how to throw down if needed. And if you’ve seen their courtside reactions, you know they don’t hold back. But considering the fact that all three of them are absolute units, we don’t see too many people lining up to fight them anytime soon.
What is Nikola Jokic’s parents’ nationality?
Nikola Jokic’s roots are as Serbian as they come. Both of his parents, Branislav and Nikolina, were born and raised in Sombor, Serbia, and they still live there today.
And Nikola? Despite being a global star, he never misses a chance to remind people where he’s from. “After my career is over, I’m gonna go back there,” he once shared. “How I say, no place like home? Something like that.”
Serbian culture, values, and traditions run deep in the Jokic household. Family dinners, quiet walks, time spent with horses – it’s all part of a way of life that Jokic refuses to give up, no matter how high the NBA spotlight shines.
And maybe that’s the real secret to his greatness. Behind the highlight reels and MVP chants is a guy who values peace, simplicity, and staying close to the people who know him best. Jokic isn’t just repping Denver, he’s carrying Sombor with him every time he steps on the court.
The post Who Are Nikola Jokic’s Parents Branislav Jokic and Nikolina Jokic? All About the Nuggets Star’s Family & Other Details Revealed appeared first on EssentiallySports.
