When Nikola Jokic suffered an unusual injury whilst signing too many autographs

Nikola Jokic , despite his impressive accolades, including three MVP titles, a Finals MVP, and an NBA Championship, stands out as an exceptional talent who has consistently expressed disinterest in the fame and fortune typically associated with such achievements. Instead, 'the Joker' derives greater satisfaction from engaging with and giving back to his fans. In one particular instance, the Denver Nuggets center went so overboard signing autographs that he ended up with a bizarre hand injury that eventually ruled him out for a couple of games.

Jokic's strange hand injury

Contrary to the notion that Jokic attained stardom and popularity after he neutered the NBA, the 6'11" center rose to prominence during his time in Serbia. So, when his team was being introduced in Sremska Mitrovica - a city in Serbia, the kids hounded the towering athletes for autographs and photos.

Nikola, in his earnest attempt to reciprocate the affection, became so engrossed in the interaction that he failed to recognize that the situation was affecting him in the worst way.

"Nikola was the team's most charismatic player for the kids and they all wanted to take photos and get his autograph," his agent Misko Raznatovic said . "The result of him giving too many autographs was an inflammation of his right-hand tendon and him missing seven days of practice as well as a couple of games."

Raznatovic was the reason the basketball world discovered Jokic

While most otherworldly talents can draw the world's attention towards themselves in one way or the other, Jokic's case was different. He wouldn't have even appeared on the basketball map if it hadn't been for Raznatovic spotting his impressive box scores when he played junior basketball for Vojvodina in Serbia.

After noticing Jokic's impressive numbers daily in the local newspaper, Raznatovic immediately called his main scout and asked him to closely watch Nikola.

Though Misko learned that Jokic was far from the ideal big man—overweight and lacking proper physique—he was so determined to get the future six-time All-Star on board that he told his colleague not to return without signing Jokic to the agency.

Given their close association, the duo were always bound to witness each other's most embarrassing and strange moments. However, it is safe to say that if it wasn't for Misko, who knows when the 'Cookie Monster' would be discovered?

Related: Nikola Jokic shares why he’s passionate about basketball even when it doesn’t look like he is: “It’s better than racing horses”