Who are Nikola Jokic’s brothers? (2024)

Nikola Jokić has become a well-known name in basketball, attracting significant media attention. But it’s not just him who’s been making headlines - his brothers, Strahinja and Nemanja, have also been in the spotlight. During a recent interview, Jokić talked about his childhood and how his brothers played a crucial role in his development as a basketball player. He mentioned that he looked up to his brothers, who both had unique qualities. One was talented, while the other was strong - and Jokić feels he combines both.

The Jokić family lived in a small apartment with only two rooms, a kitchen, and a bathroom. Despite the cramped living conditions, their home was always bustling with people. Jokić, his parents, two brothers, and grandmother lived together, often with extended family members staying over. The apartment had a little basket, and Jokić and his brothers spent much time playing there, making a noise like "crazy kids."

Jokic’s brothers

The passionate support of Nikola Jokić, the reigning NBA Most Valuable Player, by his Serbian brothers Strahinja and Nemanja, has been gaining attention from fans across the United States. With their animated gestures and vocal commentary, the Jokić brothers have become known for their distinctive cheering style, especially when the referee’s calls do not favor Nikola.

However, their enthusiastic support has also led to negative stereotypes among NBA fans. Some have labeled them as "awkward guys" who are not to be trifled with, thanks to their Serbian heritage. The Phoenix Suns team had an unpleasant encounter with the Jokić brothers during a previous season, leading to heated exchanges.

The American media has also taken note of the Jokić brothers’ passionate support for their sibling, including Strahinja’s prominent neck tattoo. “You’re not joking with the ‘Jokić clan.’ The fact that Jokić has a brother with a tattoo on his neck speaks volumes,” wrote one media outlet.

Despite the negative attention, the Jokić brothers remain dedicated to supporting Nikola and his team. Their passion and enthusiasm have become a familiar sight for fans of the Denver Nuggets.

Strahinja Jokic

The brother of NBA star Nikola Jokić, Strahinja, has been making headlines in the American media again for a more serious reason. Strahinja was arrested in 2019 for allegedly attacking a woman, strangling her, and preventing her from calling for help. This has caused significant interest in the local media, as Strahinja is the closest relative of a member of the NBA’s ideal five.

This is not the first time Strahinja has been in the American media’s spotlight. When Nikola’s brothers were unhappy with the behavior of Washington players towards the young Denver star, they verbally attacked Wizards basketball players Bobby Portis and Jordan McRae. The Jokić brothers approached them as they entered the tunnel leading to the dressing rooms and reportedly insulted them. Portis had a previous altercation with players from the region, having hit his then-club colleague Nikola Mirotic.

Strahinja has also been in the press for insulting referee Tony Brothers in a match. However, that’s not all the media has focused on. Strahinja has been portrayed as a "future villain from the film series 'Die Hard.‘” The media has reported that he is trained as a bodyguard and has mastered numerous martial arts. He regularly trains in MMA at a local gym, and the owner said in February 2017 that the Jokić brothers come to training at least five times a week. “They’re the wrong guys you’d want to hook up with,” joked Nicole’s former Denver teammate, Italian Danilo Gallinari.

Nikola has expressed his appreciation for his brother’s presence in the past, saying they try to spend as much time as possible together.

Nemanja Jokic

For those who may not know, Nikola Jokić had a kind of scouting trip to America, the NBA, life there, and basketball - directly from his family! Maybe today’s basketball world would not have the kind of Nikola we enjoy watching if his older brother Nemanja had not felt the magic of being “across the pond” with the same task - to succeed. Unlike Nikola, who was hard-working, responsible, and concentrated only on the game, Nemanja lived “to the fullest” in America. Basketball was the last item on his list of priorities.

Nemanja Jokić, the older brother of NBA star Nikola Jokić, talked about his past and how basketball was not always his top priority. In an interview with American media, he admitted to making mistakes and focusing on other things, such as going out, parties, drinking, and girls. However, he also acknowledged that his experiences helped shape him into who he is today. Considering how Nemanja’s past may have influenced his younger brother’s approach to the sport and dedication to his craft is interesting.

Nemanja also spoke about his time in the United States as a basketball player. Jokić shared that his friend and fellow Serbian player Darko Miličić had invited him to the States, providing him with a life of luxury in a house in the Detroit suburb of Rochester Hills. Jokić lived the life of an NBA player, enjoying everything from expensive parties to a yacht. However, this luxurious lifestyle ended when Miličić was traded to Orlando, and Jokić was forced to move into a dorm and start living the life of a typical college student.

Jokić played college basketball for three seasons, coming off the bench for the Detroit Mercy team. He then moved to less attractive basketball destinations, admitting he wasn’t fully committed to the game. He explained that basketball was not his priority during this time, as he focused more on partying, drinking, and dating.

Meanwhile, Miličić's career began to decline, and he was traded several times to different teams. Jokić believes Miličić was under a lot of pressure from himself and his material possessions. Miličić played his last NBA game in the 2012-2013 season with the Boston Celtics.

Upon returning from the USA, Nemanja Jokić was surprised to find that his younger brother, 17-year-old Nikola, had grown taller and was now bigger than his older brothers. While Nikola was passionate about basketball, he also enjoyed playing football, water polo, and volleyball. However, he did have one notable flaw: he was overweight. Nikola drank three liters of Coca-Cola daily, and “burek” was a breakfast staple. When he signed his first contract with Mega Leks, he weighed almost 135 kilos and couldn’t do a single push-up.

Despite his weight, Nikola had a unique gift for basketball. He loved playing in the high post, with the ball and was known for his impressive assists that no one else could imagine making. Nemanja recounted how everyone let Nikola play with freedom and never told him what not to do because they saw his potential.