Watch: Nikola Jokic shatters 'offseason' narrative by playing 3x3 showdown with hometown locals
While Nikola Jokic is widely considered to be one of the best players in the NBA, the 2023 Finals MVP has a passion for horses. Last year, Jokic's dad told a story about how many years ago, his son wanted to be a horseman. While Branislav Jokic urged his son to pursue basketball, Nikola Jokic has continued to be an avid horseman. This has fueled jokes that he cares little about basketball.
Following the Nuggets' 2023 championship, Jokic explained that he wanted to make it back to Serbia in time to watch his horses race. At the start of the 2023-24 season, Jokic then explained that he had only touched a basketball a few times after winning the 2023 NBA Finals.
The further highlighted to fans just how important horse racing is to Jokic, while fueling the narrative that he cares little about basketball in the offseason. This week, however, ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics, where Jokic will be suiting up for Serbia, the three-time MVP was seen playing pickup basketball.
Footage from a fan shows the NBA superstar on-court playing three-on-three with locals, having some fun and getting an offseason workout in. The original caption indicates that Jokic was playing three-on-three in his hometown of Sombor.
Check out the video below:
Looking at Nikola Jokic's offseason, and the 2024 Paris Olympics
Although Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets came up short in their quest to go back-to-back as NBA Finals champions, he will have a chance to win Olympic gold this summer. Earlier this month, Serbia's preliminary roster for the Paris Olympics was revealed, with Jokic included.
The announcement was made by Serbia's coach Svetislav Pesic earlier this month via BasketNews, with Nikola Jokic included in the team's preliminary 16-man roster:
"With more than a month to go until the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, it's become clear Nikola Jokic will play in the tournament. Serbian national team's head coach, Svetislav Pesic, announced the 16-man candidate list for the Olympics, and Jokic has been included."
Despite the fact that he didn't suit up for the national team for the FIBA World Cup, Jokic will look to capture gold after a second-place finish at the 2016 Olympics. The team will also be looking to avenge their 2023 FIBA World Cup loss to Germany in the tournament's championship game.
Given their success throughout the tournament without Jokic, hope is high for their Olympic berth.
Olympic action begins on July 27, with Serbia competing in Group C against South Sudan, USA, and the winner of the upcoming qualifying tournament. The qualifying tournament will see Bahrain, Cote d'Ivoire, Italy, Lithuania, Mexico, and Puerto Rico all compete for a chance to secure the final Group C spot.