Nikola Jokic is one of the best multi-sport athletes on the planet. The three-time MVP and NBA champion grew up playing water polo and it looks like he could also go pro in volleyball.
Denver incorporated some cross-sport training into its practice while in New Orleans over the weekend.
The Nuggets practiced at Tulane’s practice facility prior to their overtime win over the Pelicans. The Green Wave left a volleyball behind, which inspired Jokic to get creative with his warmup. He decided to pass the ball around with a few of his teammates and looked remarkably competent during the pepper sesh!
Nikola Jokic grew up playing water polo in addition to basketball, but professional volleyball is a very big deal in Serbia. Its national team is one of the best in the world, especially in recent years, with two Olympic medals, three European championships and two world titles since 2016.
The 6-foot-11, 284-pound “point center” would fit right in. Jokic must have prior experience playing volleyball because he looked like a natural. Not only can he pass, his sets were straight butter. They did not sit in his hands, nor did they rotate in the air. You could not ask for a better set from an NBA star.
Jokic would also be dominant as a hitter. The shortest player on Serbia’s national team is 6-foot-3. Its outside hitters are anywhere from 6-foot-5 to 6-foot-10. Its middles are surprisingly short in that same height range. If the Eagles wanted to add a few inches to their roster, one of the greatest centers in basketball history looks like he could slide right into the starting lineup with a year of training.
Although it should not come as a surprise, because Nikola Jokic is freakishly athletic for his size, he looked like a natural with a volleyball in his hands. His teammates were fine, but he is actually good.