Nikola Jokic’s emotional interview, recalling his father’s sacrifices and their deep bond, will bring you to tears Interviewer: It’s clear that you have a very close bond with your father. Can you share more about the sacrifices you’ve seen him make for your success? Nikola Jokić: “My father has been everything to me. Growing up in a small apartment with my parents, two older brothers, and my grandmother wasn’t always easy. But we made the most of it. My father worked hard, always providing for us, never complaining. He spent long hours working as an agricultural engineer, and he also had a stable with horses. He taught me what it means to love what you do and give everything to it. That’s something I carry with me on the court. There were times he didn’t even get to watch me play because he had to….
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Nikola Jokić’s Emotional Tribute to His Father: A Bond Forged in Sacrifice
In a rare, tearful interview, NBA superstar Nikola Jokić opened up about the man who shaped him—not just as a player, but as a person: his father.
“My father has been everything to me,” Jokić began, his voice thick with emotion. “Growing up in a small apartment in Sombor, it wasn’t always easy. There were seven of us—my parents, my two older brothers, my grandmother, and me—crammed into a modest space. But somehow, it never felt small. My father made sure of that.”
Jokić’s father, an agricultural engineer by profession, worked tirelessly to support the family. The hours were long, the work physically demanding, and the rewards modest. Still, he never complained. Jokić recalls countless nights when his father would come home exhausted, only to spend time with the kids or tend to the stable where he kept horses—his passion and side business.
“He showed me what dedication really looks like,” Jokić said. “He would wake up before sunrise, work a full day, and still find the energy to take care of the horses. He had this quiet strength—this calm, unshakeable presence. He never looked for recognition. He just did what needed to be done.”
What makes the story even more touching is the fact that Jokić’s father often missed his son’s early games. “There were times he didn’t even get to watch me play because he had to work,” Nikola recalled. “But I always knew he was proud. I always felt his support—even if he wasn’t in the stands.”
Jokić credits much of his basketball IQ and composure under pressure to the values instilled in him by his father: patience, humility, and a love for the process. “He used to say, ‘If you love something, give everything to it. Not for the reward, but because it deserves your best.’ That’s something I carry with me every time I step onto the court.”
At one point during the interview, Jokić paused, visibly choked up. “There’s a lot people see now—the MVP trophies, the highlights, the wins. But what they don’t see is the foundation behind it all. The nights my dad stayed up to fix something around the house, the days he didn’t eat lunch so we could have enough. That kind of love… it’s powerful.”
For Jokić, success isn’t just about basketball. It’s about honoring the sacrifices made for him. “Everything I do out there,” he said, pointing to his chest, “is for him. For my family. For the man who gave without asking, loved without limits, and taught me to be more than just an athlete.”
It’s clear that behind Nikola Jokić’s quiet dominance on the court is a deep well of love and gratitude—a testament to the man who helped build him, one quiet sacrifice at a time.
