Never Before Has Nikola Stokanic Felt More Awed By His Initial Name
The 42-year-old, who owns a successful small company in the Denver region, immigrated to the U.S. in the early 2000s as a student from Serbia. According to 2017 U.S. Census data, only 0.05% of all Colorado citizens identify as Serbian.
However, the Serbian community in Denver and throughout the world has cause for celebration ever since Nikola Jokic relocated to the city and helped the Nuggets achieve their first-ever NBA Finals berth.
Jokic serves as an example.
Like all Serbians, I experienced a sense of prestige during the Bulls’ heyday of dominance. Of course, everybody watched (Michael) Jordan. Still, our players, more so than anyone else, added Stokanic, who watched NBA players from the Balkan Peninsula like Vlade Divac, Toni Kukoc, and Peja Stojakovic as a child. Jokic is now well-known. Everyone is interested in Serbia, particularly the Serbian community in Denver and nationwide.
Steven Katich has represented the Republic of Serbia as an Honorary Consul in Colorado for almost two decades. His charity work helps state residents who are Serbian citizens and require support with foreign travel and other logistical matters.
In 2018, Katich traveled to Serbia wearing a 5XL white Jokic jersey (number 15) and gathered signatures from citizens of all walks of life, including local schoolchildren and members of the Serbian Royal Family.
“With the kind of guy he is, it’s a big matter of pride,” Katich remarked. “It’s clear that he has a beautiful, outgoing personality. Without a doubt, he is an excellent representation of the nation.”
Raised in Serbia, Adriana Radinovic Ikard was awarded a full scholarship to play tennis at Loyola Marymount University in 2009. She subsequently remained in the United States, moved to Colorado, and graduated from CU-Denver with an MBA.
Radinovic Ikard recently interviewed with The Denver Gazette while returning to Belgrade, the capital of Serbia, to see her family.
Radinovic Ikard remarked, “Everywhere I go, in cafes and restaurants around the city right now, everybody is talking about the NBA and basketball. More than ever, you can see the difference.”
Need evidence that Jokermania is back in Serbia? Michelangelo’s “Creation of Adam” painting was purportedly photoshopped onto a billboard in Belgrade, according to 33-year-old Radinovic Ikard. It’s a part of an advertisement campaign for Guarana No Sleep, an energy drink made in Serbia.
The corporation offers a series of “Joker” drinks featuring Jokic’s signature directly on the can. With that said, Jokic’s fame hasn’t affected him.
In 2016, Radinovic Ikard met Jokic, his siblings, and his future bride while shopping at Whole Foods in the Congress Park area. She requested a picture and Jokic capitulated. He values the love he receives from home, especially from Denver. Additionally, Nikola’s relatability has won over many hearts.
Radinovic Ikard remarked, “He’s just the nicest person ever. They made jokes. I was precisely the right height [for the top of my head to be right] beneath his armpit. Everyone was chuckling a little bit. The picture is hilarious. I also adore that his brother, his wife, and their daughter are always present at all the games.”
“Having him represent Serbia makes everyone very proud.”
