Nikola Jokic has made history as the lowest drafted NBA player to win the MVP title, securing 91 out of 101 first-place votes from the voting panel.
Drafted as the 41st pick in 2014, Jokic rose to prominence during the 2020-2021 season, surpassing Joel Embiid and Stephen Curry to claim the prestigious Most Valuable Player award.
Reflecting on his journey, Jokic expressed his initial disbelief, stating, “To be honest, I didn’t even think I would be in the NBA. My goal when I started playing basketball back home was to compete in the Euroleague, as it was the top league closest to my country.”
Known as “The Joker,” the Serbian center dominated the MVP voting, with 100 first-place votes coming from an international panel of sports journalists, and the final vote being determined by the fans. Following closely behind Jokic were Giannis Antetokounmpo and Chris Paul. Derrick Rose received the fan vote, although he did not garner any other first-place votes.
Acknowledging the significance of his achievement, Jokic emphasized the collective effort behind his success, stating, “It’s a significant accomplishment, but as I told the team, it’s not just about me. I couldn’t have achieved this alone. While it’s an individual accolade, it truly reflects the dedication of everyone involved.”
