Nikola Jokic Family – Parents, Brothers, Ethnicity and Girlfriend

Sportblis presents amazing facts about Nikola Jokic Father (Branislav Jokic), Mother (Nikolina Jokic), Brothers (Strahinja and Nemanja), Wife (Natalija Macesic), Daughter (Ognjena) and much more.

Nikola Jokic is a Serbian professional basketball player who has made a name for himself in the NBA. He was born on the 19th of February 1995 to his parents in the city of Sombor, northern Serbia.

The talented athlete was raised alongside his two brothers in a cramped two-bedroom apartment. Despite living in a  small house, Jokic developed a strong bond with his parents and grandmother, who lived with them.

At a very young age, the young lad had fallen in love with basketball. His passion for the game was an aftermath of the many days he spent playing basketball with his older brothers.

Childhood Dreams:

From playing street basketball, Jokic’s older brother, Nemanja, went on to play college basketball. His gradual progression in the game gave the young Serbian a beam of hope in turning pro someday.

Of course, Nikola Jokic wanted to follow in his brother’s footsteps. Hence, he paid keen attention to Nemanja, who played collegiately for Detroit Mercy, C.W. Post, and the Wilkes-Barre Steamers in the Premier Basketball League.

As time went on, the promising talent kept raking up techniques from his training with his brothers. Aside from basketball, Jokic also had a childhood interest in horse racing and even competed as an amateur.

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Nikola Jokic Education Struggles:

Jokic’s parents had him enrolled at Dositej Obradović Elementary School. Afterwards, he went on to complete two classes at the High School of Economics in Sombor.

Guess what?… The NBA star struggled with physical education classes in elementary school. He never imagined that he would one day have a 10×6 meter mural of himself mounted on the wall.

Moreso, he wouldn’t have even envisaged his school’s karate and basketball club being named after him – Joker. Thanks to sports, his life took a great turn which saw him etching his name on the sands of time.

Nikola Jokic Career Life:

Being nicknamed the Joker, Jokic’s professional basketball career began in 2014. Back then, he was selected by the Denver Nuggets in the second round of the 2014 NBA draft.

However, he didn’t sign a professional contract with the team until the following year. From the moment he got an opportunity to play, Jokic quickly made an impact on the court.

His level of composure and on-pitch intelligence earned him the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 2016. As his career progressed, he led the Nuggets to the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2018-19 NBA season.

It was during this time that he earned his first All-Star and All-NBA First Team selections. Great expectations surrounded Jokić and the Nuggets for the 2020-2021 season.

He elevated his performance from an All-NBA level to an MVP level, averaging 26 points, 11 rebounds, and 8 assists per game. As a result, he received the MVP award, beating notable contenders like Steph Curry and Joel Embiid.

Jokic Career Triumph:

The pinnacle of his career came in the 2022-23 NBA season when he led the Nuggets to their first-ever NBA championship. This earned him the prestigious NBA Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP) award.

No doubt, Nikola Jokic has established himself as one of the greatest centers and players in NBA history. His remarkable talent and contributions to the game have earned him widespread recognition.

With five NBA All-Star appearances and five All-NBA Team selections, Jokic has solidified his status as a dominant force on the court. He has also represented his home country (Serbia) in international tournaments.

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Interestingly, Nikola Jokic led his national team to clinch a silver medal at the 2016 Summer Olympics. His success and achievements have propelled him into the elite ranks of NBA players.

Jokic’s exceptional skills are evident in his triple-double prowess. He ranks among the top 10 players of all time in terms of triple-doubles, encompassing both regular season and playoff games.

Nikola Jokic Family & Ethnicity:

Nikola Jokic’s love for horses seems to have been passed down from his father, as his menage owns a small stable. He hails from an extended household with numerous close family friends, uncles, aunts, and cousins.

One of Nikola’s paternal aunts, Tatjana Martinovic, frequently expresses her admiration for the family through Facebook posts, showcasing the strong familial bonds.

To give you a glimpse of his family tree, Nikola Jokic has two favourite cousins: Tomislav and Miroslav Jokic. He always enjoys their company and spends some time with them.

His cousin, Tomislav, is happily married to Sanja Jokic and has two sons. While Miroslav is married to Krsmanovic and has three children – two sons and one daughter.

Within the extended family, Nikola has an uncle named Slobodan Jokic, who is married to Biljana Jokic. Slobodan and Biljana have a son named Lazar and a daughter named Nina Jokic.

Jokic and his brothers do not hesitate to take their nephew and niece (Lazar & Nina) to events. This highlights the close bond they share.

The Jokic family is not limited to blood relatives alone but also includes dear family friends. One of them is Zvonko Manojlovic, a close friend of Nikola’s father, Branislav, who maintains a strong bond with the family.

Moving on to his ancestry, the basketball center is of Serbian heritage. It is clear that he’s got white ethnicity from New Eastern Europe.

Nikola Jokic Father – Branislav Jokic:

The athlete’s dad, Branislav Jokic, is a retired agricultural engineer. He played an integral role in helping his son excel in basketball. As an agricultural engineer, Branislav had a horse stable.

He would take Nikola with him each time he visited the stable. As a result, the youngster soon developed an interest in horse racing like his father.

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All the time that Jokic and his old man spent cleaning the stable and riding horses fostered an unbreakable bond between them. They took their time to appreciate the beauty and elegance of their horses.

Nonetheless, Branislav eventually discovered that his son had only considered horse riding a hobby. Hence, he took the fatherly step to support Nikola’s newfound aspiration – basketball.

At first, it was always difficult to keep up with his little boy’s training routine. Nonetheless, Branislav wanted to be a good dad who never missed the life-transforming events that go on in his son’s life.

Hence, he often created time to watch Jokic and his brothers train and even attended some of their games. Jokic honored his childhood memories with his father by acquiring his first racehorse, named Dream Catcher.

Nikola Jokic Mother – Nikolina:

Like his dad, the Joker’s mom wasn’t much of an athlete. However, she was ready to take on the world to support her son’s career expedition. Nikola’s mother, Nikolina Jokic, was a nurse who became a die-hard fan of her son.

Interestingly, she would fly from Serbia to cook for him during his earliest career life. However, despite her efforts, Jokic was sometimes afraid to indulge in her food due to his strict diet.

Of course, he acknowledges his mother’s efforts. But he often refrains from eating or expressing doubts about breaking his diet. This shows you the level of sacrifices athletes have to make to keep fit for the game.

There is definitely no doubt that Jokic’s Mother and Father have made huge sacrifices to nurture his basketball career. Through their unwavering dedication, they have played a crucial role in contributing to his success.

Nikola Jokic Brothers – Strahinja and Nemanja:

Jokic’s brothers play a prominent role in his athletic expedition. The oldest of his two brothers, Strahinja, is 13 years older than him, while Nemanja is 11 years older.

Like their dad, the Jokic brothers always ensure they attend Nikola’s games and support him from the sideline. Both Strahinja and Nemanja have played basketball at high levels.

While Strahinja played basketball in Europe, Nemanja is a former Division I player. You see, Nemanja traveled to the United States to play college basketball at the University of Detroit Mercy when Joki was just 10 years old.

During his time in the U.S., Nemanja lived a life full of partying. He prioritised socializing, fun, and distractions over focusing on his basketball endeavors. This was marked as one of the biggest mistakes of his career.

Nemanja acknowledged that he lacked the necessary family support during that time. This realization contributed to the brothers’ decision to move to the U.S. with Jokic when he was drafted by the Nuggets.

How Jokic’s Siblings Supported His Career Life:

Upon signing with Mega Leks in New Belgrade, Jokic’s oldest brother (Strahinja) accompanied him to where he resided. He made it his duty to oversee Nikola’s diet and ensure he spent time in the weight room.

Nemanja made it clear that Jokić had no choice but to have his brothers around. It was Jokic’s sibling (Nemanja) who informed him about being drafted by the Nuggets while he was sleeping in his home in Serbia.

The basketball center was sleeping when he got a call from Nemanja exclaiming, “You got drafted in the NBA! How do you sleep right now?”

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It was during this period that Jokic’s brothers relocated to Denver with him after he signed with the Nuggets. Jokić appreciated his family’s efforts to make Denver feel like home.

Although everything in the new city differed from his hometown in Serbia, his family worked hard to create a familiar atmosphere.

Nikola Jokic Wife – Natalija Macesic:

The athlete’s personal life has been intertwined with his basketball career, particularly in his early years in Denver. During that time, he shared an apartment with his then-girlfriend and his two older brothers.

However, Jokic’s relationship with his high school sweetheart, Natalija Macesic, blossomed, leading to a significant milestone in their journey.

The lovebirds officially tied the knot on the 24th of October, 2020, in Jokic’s hometown – Sombor. Despite keeping their personal lives private, it is evident that Macesic is a supportive partner to her boyfriend-turned-husband.

When Jokic joined the Nuggets and moved to Denver, his wife, Macesic, made the move with him. She was bent on supporting his athletic journey before it even bloomed.

Interestingly, the girlfriend-turned-wife of the basketball player was the primary cook among four roommates. She and Jokic, with his two brothers, lived in a three-bedroom apartment.

Their living situation also fostered a competitive spirit, with frequent card games. Jokić humorously expressed his wish for Macesic to cheat during the games, playfully challenging his brothers, who he claimed were cheating all the time.

Who is Natalija Macesic, Nikola Jokic Wife?

Prior to settling in Denver, Natalija Macesic had some experience living in the United States. She played volleyball at Seminole State College in Oklahoma from 2013 to 2015.

Afterward, Jokic’s wife transferred to Metropolitan State University of Denver, where she earned a degree in psychology in 2018. The engagement between Jokić and Macesic took place in January 2020.

They sealed their commitment to each other by exchanging vows in October of the same year, marking a significant milestone in their relationship.

Although the couple prefers to keep their personal lives private, their love and support for each other are evident. Macesic has been a constant presence in Jokić’s journey, providing both stability and joy.

Nikola Jokic Daughter – Ognjena:

Jokic and Natalija joyfully welcomed their first child together, a daughter named Ognjena Jokić, in September 2021. The couple expressed their excitement when they initially announced they were expecting.

In an interview with the Burlington Record, Jokic reflected on the short offseason and mentioned that the upcoming arrival of their baby was the highlight of his season and life.

He also shared another positive aspect of his offseason, expressing pride in his horses’ success, as they had won 15-to-20 races that year.

During a press conference in May 2022, Jokić spoke about the profound impact his daughter had on his life. He described her as an extra little spark.

The birth of Ognjena Jokić marked a significant milestone for the couple, adding a new chapter to their lives. As they navigate parenthood together, Jokić finds solace and inspiration in the presence of his daughter and supportive family.

Family Origin/Hometown:

Nikola Jokić’s journey begins in his hometown of Sombor, a small town in northwest Serbia. Growing up, Jokić developed a deep attachment to his hometown and held a strong affection for it.

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He returns to Sombor every year during the offseason and cherishes the close-knit community and beautiful natural surroundings. According to Jokić, the people in Sombor feel like family, contributing to his fondness for the town.

Serbia is a nation known for its passion for sports, with tennis being one of the most popular. Jokic emphasized that basketball holds a significant place in Serbian sports culture, comparable in popularity to tennis.

During his formative years, Jokić did not have easy access to NBA games and thus did not watch them extensively. However, when he was around 14 years old, YouTube became available.

This allowed him to watch highlights of iconic players. As time went on, televised NBA games became more common in Serbia, providing greater exposure to the league.

Basketball played a vital role in Jokic’s upbringing. He often reminisced about their childhood games with his brothers. Back then, he would run around his brothers, who adjusted their heights by sitting down to ensure a level playing field.

Quick Facts About Nikola Jokic: