**Nikola Jokić’s Emotional Interview: A Tribute to His Father’s Sacrifices**
In a rare and deeply emotional interview, NBA superstar Nikola Jokić opened up about the profound influence of his father and the sacrifices that shaped his journey from Sombor, Serbia, to the pinnacle of professional basketball. Known for his calm demeanor and stoic presence on the court, Jokić allowed a more vulnerable side to show as he reflected on the bond he shares with his father.
“My father has been everything to me,” Jokić began, his voice catching slightly with emotion. “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. We didn’t have much, but we had each other—and that meant everything.”
Jokić recalled how his father, who worked long hours as an agricultural engineer, always prioritized the family’s needs over his own. “He worked so hard,” Jokić said.
“He’d leave early in the morning and come home late, sometimes too tired to even eat. He never complained, not once. He just did what had to be done.”
In addition to his demanding job, Jokić’s father also maintained a stable with horses—a deep passion that he managed to pursue despite the family’s financial and time constraints. “He loved horses,” Jokić said with a soft smile. “He’d find peace in the stable.
I think that’s where I first saw what it means to love something deeply and give yourself fully to it. That’s something I carry with me every time I step on the court.”
Despite his father’s demanding schedule, he remained a pillar of strength and support for his children. However, Jokić admitted there were times when his father couldn’t be present at his games. “There were moments when he couldn’t come watch me play.
He had to work or take care of the horses. But I never felt like he wasn’t there for me. His belief in me was constant, even when he wasn’t in the stands.”
What makes the bond between Jokić and his father so powerful is not just the shared moments but the unspoken lessons passed from father to son. Discipline, humility, and love for the craft—these are values that Jokić says are embedded in his identity.
“I play the way I do because of him. I try to stay humble, work hard, and never take a single moment for granted. My dad taught me that.”
Jokić’s voice trembled slightly as he finished. “Everything I’ve achieved… it’s because of him. His sacrifices, his quiet strength, his belief in me. I hope he knows how much I carry him with me—in every game, in every pass, in every win.”
The interview left many viewers teary-eyed, a poignant reminder that behind every great athlete is a story of love, sacrifice, and family. For Nikola Jokić, that story begins and ends with his father.
