NBA Finals 2023; who is Nikola Jokic, the MVP who led the Denver Nuggets to their first NBA Championship?

It’s party time in Mile High City, and commiserations in Miami - the Denver Nuggets are your 2023 NBA Champions after overcoming the Miami Heat 4-1 to clinch their very first championship in the franchise’s 26 year history. All eyes were on two players however; for Miami, it was the resurgence of Jimmy Butler who has finally found his feet with the Miami Heat, but the entire playoffs became a showcase for one particular player - the Nugget’s MVP, Nikola Jokic.

The Serbian centre finished his NBA playoffs campaign with 30.0 points, 13.5 rebounds and 9.5 assists (according to ESPN), averaging a triple-double (three separate achievements in a game that reached double figures - for example, scoring, assisting and rebounding) for the majority of the Denver Nuggets trip to the final, and breaking a series of record in the NBA post-season along the way. Not bad considering that Jokic was drafted as the 41st overall pick in the NBA Draft back in 2014.

Those record include being the first player in NBA history to average at least 25 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists through their first 50 career playoff games, most assists by a centre in an NBA Finals game (14) alongside most assists by a player in their NBA Finals debut and the first player in NBA history to record 500+ points, 250+ rebounds and 150+ assists in a single postseason - to name a mere few.

It meant that Jokic picked up the coveted NBA Finals MVP award, joining legends such as Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant and LeBron James, and an even higher echelon becoming the overall NBA season MVP - a feat attained by receiving the MVP award in the regular season alongside the MVP award in the finals. 

The typically understated Jokic took the MVP win in his stride, focusing more on the fact that he and the team helped deliver Denver’s first NBA Championship. In his post-game interview after being asked about receiving the award, Jokic simply responded jokingly ““The job is done. We can go home now.”

Who is Nikola Jokic?

Nikola Jokić, born on February 19, 1995, is widely regarded as one of the most talented centres in the National Basketball Association, with his large frame (he’s 7 foot) and pundits regularly exclaiming his possession of an exceptional basketball IQ. He began his professional career in Europe, playing for Serbian club Mega Basket before being drafted by the Denver Nuggets with the 41st overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft.

Since joining the Nuggets, Jokić has become the cornerstone of the team's success, showcasing his unique skill set that combines exceptional passing ability, scoring prowess, and rebounding skills. His versatility as a big man and his ability to orchestrate the offence from the centre position have earned him the reputation of a triple-double threat on any given night. 

Jokić's outstanding performances have not gone unnoticed, as he has received numerous accolades, including being named an NBA All-Star and the league's Most Valuable Player (MVP) in 2021, becoming the first centre to win the award in over 30 years. He finally topped that achievement overnight, leading the Denver Nuggets to their first and only NBA Championship to date.

Who is Nikola Jokic’s wife and child?

Nikola Jokic is married to Natalija Jokic, who was his long term girlfriend while he played in the European basketball leagues, moving over with Nikola when he was drafted by Devenber in 2015, and the pair finally marrying in October 2020. They have one child, a daughter named Ognjena.

What is Nicola Jokic’s net worth?

Currently, Nikola Jokic’s net worth is an estimated $30 million USD, though with another MVP title and now having led a team to the top of the NBA mountain, Peopleworld may have to revisit that once a slew of new endorsement deals are penned.