With an Olympic bronze medal in his kitty, Nikola Jokic is all smiles and wants to relish his time with his close allies in the comfort of his home. He was seen running back to his friends to catch up on horse racing after his efforts at the Paris Olympics. He was always identified as a person who was detached from the NBA community as he wanted nothing but to lead a normal life away from all the glitz and glamor of the sport.

Despite the fame, his love for spending time with his family, old friends, and horse and indulging in his love for food and cooking stands tall. While giving an interview to Sportal,  Jokic’s father, Branislav Jokic,  further revealed he struggles if he meets new people around as he stated, “He doesn’t hang out with new friends. It’s hard for him to accept new people around him.”

His father added, “Nikola enjoys the simple things in life. 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? It’s not like we didn’t have a summer house, horses, or similar things before, but what more does he need than this? Maybe he needs to go rafting in Belgrade, but what’s the point? To be a public figure?”

The star is known to keep himself occupied with either basketball or horse racing. Back in 2023, he led the Nuggets to an NBA title win but he did not seem happy as the team requested him to stay back for the post-match parade. But Jokic expressed no interest in staying back and showed his interest in attending a horse race during that time. This clearly shows his preferences.

Choosing established relationships over new ones doesn’t mean he disdains others, but highlights his contentment within his domain. Jokic values meaningful connections with people who have similar interests and values, rather than pursuing a large social network just for the sake of it.

Nikola Jokic: A Perfect Balance of Stardom

Nikola Jokić, even after receiving a significant amount of fame, maintains a perfect balance with his personal life. Jokic’s decision to have the same relationship with the people of Sombor, Serbia in appreciation for a modern lifestyle. He has never hyped any of his big achievements including all the MVP titles. To maintain this balance requires a sense of self. Though his circle is close, he ensures that the bonds are strong.

Apart from his old friends, Jokić has also grown strong friendships with Luka Dončić, Jamal Murray, and Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic. His affection for basketball and horses reflects his desire to keep his life centered on what he knows and loves.

In summary, Nikola Jokić deliberately chooses a simple life to prioritize quality in both personal and professional aspects. Through his father’s insights, we see how this approach reflects Jokić’s upbringing and commitment to staying authentic, despite fame and success.

Before you go, do not forget to check out this crossover between BG12 and Georgia Bulldogs star Asia Avinger