Nikola Jokic (left) of Denver trains with defending Derrick Favors of Utah.
| photo: AP
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“To be honest, I never thought I could be in the NBA. When I started basketball at home, my goal was to get into the Euroleague, because it was the next top competition, “he said. Jokic, who won the award as the first Serb in history and the third player from Europe.
Before him, the German Dirk Nowitzki and Janis Adetokunbo from Greece, who had ruled for the previous two seasons, did it. “Denver drafted me and it was a chance to become an NBA player. I think I was able to take this opportunity, “added Jokič.
The native from Sombor, who got to the NBA seven years ago from 41st place in the draft, won 91 first places out of 101 possible in the vote and clearly surpassed his opponents from the final three. He received the award as the lowest drafted player in history. So far, he has held the Adetokunbo record together with Steve Nash, who passed the draft in the 15th position. Adetokunbo finished fourth this time in the poll, Chris Paul was fifth.
The 26-year-old Jokic has had a breathtaking offensive season, averaging 26.4 points, 10.8 rebounds and 8.3 assists per game. He had an overall shooting success rate of 56.6 percent, from threes 38.3 percent and 86.6 percent of free throws.
Jokič won the prestigious award as the “paper” first pivot from Shaquill O’Neal, who dominated the poll in 2000. However, the successor of the smashing giant actually includes the previous winner Janis Adetokunbo.
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