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On draft night back in 2014, a then-chubby Nikola Jokic was famously overlooked and drafted in the second round.
When Jokic was drafted 41st overall by the Nuggets, ESPN didn’t even show the pick and played a Taco Bell commercial instead.
Via CBS
inconsequential on draft night in 2014 that he was reportedly sleeping when his family woke him up to let him know that he had been selected 41st overall. As the story goes, his name had popped up on the bottom of the screen as something of a footnote to Taco Bell’s latest product, the Quesarito — half quesadilla, half burrito.
As the broadcast mentioned, Nikola Jokic was the No. 41 pick in the 2014 NBA Draft. But let’s not forget that Jokic was selected during a Taco Bell commercial. 😅 pic.twitter.com/m8zm1kxZDt
— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) June 10, 2023
After Jokic won his first NBA title on Monday night, ESPN’s Malika Andrews asked him about being overlooked on draft night.
“They didn’t believe in the fat boy, it seems like it worked out, don’t bet against the fat boy” said Jokic.
Jokic ended up having a historic run while leading the Nuggets to their first franchise title.
The Serbian big man ended up being the first player in NBA history to lead the playoffs in scoring, assists, and rebounds.
Legendary postseason run by Nikola Jokic. The first player in NBA history to lead the playoffs in total points, assists and rebounds.
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) June 13, 2023