Nikola Jokic, known for his nonchalant demeanor, has already captured the imaginations of NBA fans. Since being drafted in 2015, the 6’11” Serbian took his time to settle into the NBA but has now positioned himself as one of the best players, if not the best, in the league.
Interestingly, basketball was never a priority for the 29-year-old. The horserace-loving center only picked it up to keep up with his brothers. Hence, to know Jokic, understanding the Serbian’s brother, who had more influence on him, becomes of utmost importance.
Nikola Jokic brother: Who is Strahinja Jokic?
Nikola Jokic has always been a family person and emphasized the value that his family holds in his life. Born in Sombor, Serbia, “the Joker” lived in a tiny apartment with his grandmother, parents, and two elder brothers, Strahinja and Nemanja. One common thing between the Jokic brothers was basketball. The Denver Nuggets star has mentioned earlier that his brothers inspired him to play basketball.
Strahinja played in several Serbian teams and finally retired, while Nemanja played a season in the Premier Basketball League with the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Steamers and then returned to his country. They might not have achieved the grand success that their younger brother did in basketball, but they are often seen attending his games. Both the brothers are also known for being extremely vocal from the sidelines along with the fans.
About Strahinja, with whom the Nuggets star shared a particular rivalry, Nikola said, “He once held down my arms and threw knives all around my head,” which the Nuggets center thought “was a little crazy.” Nikola mentioned that his brothers were very competitive in nature.
Strahinja Jokic once arrested for allegedly assaulting a woman
Nikola’s elder brother Strahinja Jokic, who is 13 years older, once got arrested for abusing a woman and not letting her go from his apartment. Strahinja was drinking with a woman in his apartment but things got out of hand when they engaged in an argument. The 7-footer, known for easily losing his calm, was not letting the woman leave and when she went to the balcony to yell for assistance he got hold of her and choked her.
The helpless woman could not call the cops as he took the phone away from her. She somehow managed to send a message to a person who called the cops and she was rescued while the Serbian was arrested. Strahinja faced second-degree assault charges, unlawful imprisonment and charges for obstructing her from using her phone.
As per records, in 2020, Jokic pleaded guilty to obstructing phone services and felony trespassing. The other charges were dropped, but for the next two years (till 2022), he was ordered to follow probation, and he did not have to report to an officer. If any crime was found against him in those two years, he would have been arrested, while keeping a clean record meant the dropping of those criminal charges.
