Nikola Jokic's Dad Reveals Why Nuggets Star Shuns New Friends

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic is one of the most humble superstars in NBA history.

Despite his numerous accolades, including three MVP trophies and one championship, Jokic doesn't care much for the attention. That hasn't changed even after winning a bronze medal with Serbia in the Paris Olympics.

In an interview with Sportal , his father, Branislav Jokic, gave an insight into why his son remains uninterested in the trappings that come with being a basketball superstar.

"Nikola enjoys the simple things in life," Branislav said, as translated in a story from BasketNews . "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?"

"Maybe he needs to go rafting in Belgrade, but what's the point? To be a public figure? He's not interested in that."

As he did after winning the NBA title in 2023, BasketNews added that the 29-year-old Jokic turned to horse racing one day after winning the bronze medal in Paris.

Branislav furthered that his son maintains a close-knit circle of friends.

"He has a favorite bar where he goes on Fridays and Saturdays with his childhood friends," Branislav shared. "He doesn't hang out with new friends. It's hard for him to accept new people around him.

"They have to be from the world of basketball or horses or something else very difficult."

Aside from his Nuggets teammates, Jokic is also known to have a close friendship with Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic.

Jokic's modest worldview has been reflected throughout his career as he usually downplays his individual feats and deflects credit to his teammates.

The Joker will make the most out of his remaining vacation time in Serbia before flying back to the United States and returning to the Nuggets' training camp.

Related: Nuggets' Jokic Joins Mavs' Luka and Lakers' LeBron on Historic Olympics List