By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Following numerous MVP awards and winning an NBA championship with the Denver Nuggets, Nikola Jokic unveiled his first signature shoe line on Monday.
He presented the JOKER 1 sneaker at an event of Chinese company 361 Degrees in Denver’s Ball Arena.
The 29-year-old Serbian superstar also shared a story connected to the shoe featuring a pocket in the tongue to place rings.
“I lost my ring. My wife gave me another ring and I lost it too,” he explained why his wedding ring was missing from JOKER 1 during the presentation.
The global launch themed ‘Disrupting the Game” in Colorado will be followed by the European debut of JOKER 1 in Belgrade on December 7.
“Disrupt The Game” pic.twitter.com/3XlsQD35ul
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Besides the brilliant introduction of Jokic into the shoe industry, 361 Degrees plans to expand JOKER 1 into additional sportswear products such as footwear, apparel, and basketball gear.
Since being drafted with the 41st overall pick of the 2014 NBA draft by the Nuggets, the Joker has emerged as the Most Valuable Player of the 2020-21, 2021-22, and 2023-24 seasons. Besides the Michael Jordan Trophy, he collected the Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Trophy as the leader in the Nuggets capturing their first championship in franchise history. In addition, he got the nod for the annual All-Star Game over the last six years.
The Sombor native started his professional career with Mega in Serbia, before moving to the NBA in 2015.
Representing his country, highlights of his international career include winning silver and bronze medals in the 2016 and 2024 Olympic Games, respectively.