Nuggets star Nikola Jokić finally returned to his native Serbia following a week of celebration in the aftermath of Denver’s first-ever NBA championship.
When he arrived, he had a very special gift waiting.
Jokić, who prior to the post-title celebrations admitted he was yearning to return home, received a friendly gesture from his hometown after Denver’s NBA Finals victory over the Heat. A small billboard was constructed in his hometown of Sombor to commemorate Jokić’s Finals MVP and the first ring of his career.
On the billboard are two images of Jokić in his Nuggets uniform with a basketball in hand. Additionally, there are a pair of galloping horses, as well as the text “Welcome Home MVP” written on the top left.
Billboard in Sombor pic.twitter.com/Ah5qdOSqg0
— THE JOKER(S) ???????????????? (@SerbsInSports) June 17, 2023
Despite Jokić saying that he would prefer to return home to Serbia rather than do a championship parade in Denver, he famously backtracked on that sentiment to join in on the festivities alongside his teammates.
The 28-year-old will be welcomed by the billboard when he returns to his hometown after a non-stop week of celebrations. Now, he can look to relax with his family in an offseason that’s certain to include plenty of horseback riding, as the sign in Sombor indicates.
During his Finals MVP run, Jokic averaged 30.2 points, 14.0 rebounds, and 7.2 assists across the five-game series against Miami, etching his name among those with all-time great postseason performances on their way to a championship.
