Denver Nuggets Star Nikola Jokić Reveals the Quirky and Hilarious Names He Gave His Beloved Farm Animals Back in Serbia

Denver Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokić is well-known around the world for his elite basketball skills, unselfish playing style, and unmatched versatility on the court. A two-time NBA MVP and a central figure in Denver’s 2023 championship run, Jokić has firmly cemented his place among the greatest players of his generation. Yet off the hardwood, there’s another side of Nikola Jokić that fans have grown increasingly fascinated with — his quiet, grounded life as a horse lover and farmer back in his homeland of Serbia. This summer, he’s once again captured the public’s imagination, not with triple-doubles or buzzer-beaters, but with the surprisingly creative and amusing names he’s given to his farm animals.

Unlike many professional athletes who spend their offseasons in glitzy destinations or spotlighted training camps, Jokić returns to the pastoral countryside near his hometown of Sombor, Serbia. There, he unwinds by spending time with family, tending to his horses, and managing a farm filled with various animals. Fans have long been charmed by his quiet demeanor and old-school lifestyle, and in a recent interview, Jokić offered a window into that world, delighting everyone by revealing the curious and often hilarious names he’s given to the animals on his farm.

When asked about his farm and the animals he cares for, Jokić lit up in a way that’s rarely seen during post-game pressers or media scrums. “They are part of the family,” he said with a smile. “And just like family, they all have names.” It didn’t take long for reporters — and fans — to realize that these names were anything but ordinary.

For instance, one of his favorite goats is named “LeBron,” a playful nod to NBA legend LeBron James. “He’s strong and kind of the leader of the group,” Jokić explained, laughing. “He always walks ahead like he knows where everyone should go.” It’s not hard to imagine a goat named LeBron strutting confidently across the fields of Sombor with the same commanding presence as his namesake.

Then there’s a pig named “Shaq,” described by Jokić as “massive, always hungry, and very loud.” Clearly, Jokić’s sense of humor carries over from the locker room to the barnyard. A particularly mischievous rooster has been dubbed “Draymond,” in honor of Golden State’s Draymond Green. “He wakes everyone up early and makes noise all day,” Jokić said, rolling his eyes with a grin. “But the others respect him.”

The fun didn’t stop there. He has a cat named “Steph” who, according to Jokić, “moves so fast you can’t see her half the time.” A donkey named “Jamal” — after Nuggets teammate Jamal Murray — is known for being loyal and stubborn in equal measure. “He won’t move unless he decides to,” Jokić joked. “But he’s always with me when I ride.”

Perhaps the most endearing of them all is a gentle cow named “Mama.” Unlike the others, Mama’s name is more heartfelt than humorous. “She was the first animal born on the farm after I bought it,” Jokić said. “She’s calm and sweet. Like a real mother.”

The casual, almost childlike creativity behind these names speaks volumes about Jokić’s personality — a mix of dry wit, deep affection for his animals, and a unique perspective on life that contrasts starkly with the glitzy image typically associated with NBA stardom. While other players might invest in business ventures or music careers during the offseason, Jokić is more concerned with how his new foal is doing or whether the chicken coop needs repairs.

It’s not just a hobby or a media gimmick. His connection to animals and rural life is authentic, deeply rooted in his upbringing and values. Growing up in Sombor, he was surrounded by the simple rhythms of farm life and the enduring traditions of Serbia’s agricultural communities. That foundation never left him, no matter how many accolades he racked up on the court. In fact, it may even help explain his calm and composed demeanor during high-pressure games.

“On the farm, things move slowly,” he once said in an interview. “You can’t rush a horse, or a goat, or even time. I like that.”

That tranquility, that patience, that ability to stay grounded, has translated into how he leads on the court. Jokić’s vision, poise, and ability to make split-second decisions — often with a seeming absence of panic — might be nurtured as much by his rural roots as by any coach’s drills. The court, in many ways, is just another field, and Jokić is just another caretaker, feeding his teammates with assists the way he might feed “Shaq” the pig or brush down “LeBron” the goat.

It’s hard to think of another MVP-caliber athlete who returns home to name his animals after fellow NBA stars and finds joy in watching a chicken named “Kawhi” quietly peck at the dirt in the shade of an old oak tree. (“He doesn’t make much noise, just goes about his business,” Jokić said of Kawhi the chicken.) That blend of humor and reverence not only reveals Jokić’s personality but also gives a glimpse into how he sees the basketball world — not as a life-or-death struggle for glory, but as a community filled with personalities, quirks, and mutual respect.

It’s also reflective of his humility. Though he’s one of the top players on the planet, he doesn’t take himself too seriously. Naming a sheep after himself, for instance? Yes, that’s real. “There’s one sheep called ‘Joker,’” he admitted. “He eats too much and just lays in the sun all day. Like me in the summer.”

The Serbian star has said repeatedly that while he loves basketball, it’s not his entire life. He plays hard, gives his all, and then goes back to his horses, his animals, his peace. The farm, with its slow pace and earthy rituals, grounds him in a way that nothing else can. In an era where many athletes live highly curated lives on social media and often seem detached from everyday concerns, Jokić’s anecdotes about naming his animals have become a breath of fresh air.

Fans online have taken to imagining what other animals Jokić might have and what NBA player names he would bestow upon them. Could there be a sly fox named “Kyrie”? A grumpy old mule named “CP3”? The possibilities are endless, and many fans have joked that he should release a full farm roster complete with scouting reports and power rankings. Some have even suggested a coffee table book — Jokić’s Farm: Tales from the MVP Barnyard.

Beyond the laughs, though, there’s a powerful sense of authenticity in Jokić’s stories. In a profession dominated by image, branding, and constant media exposure, here is a global superstar who gets more joy from watching a calf take its first steps than from scoring 40 points. His connection to his animals isn’t something tacked on for PR; it’s who he is. And that, in many ways, is what makes Jokić such a special figure in modern sports.

As he prepares for another NBA season, likely to once again lead the Nuggets in their quest for more titles, you can be sure that part of his mind — and much of his heart — remains back in Sombor. There, his barnyard awaits, filled with quirky characters and names that make him laugh, remember, and feel at peace. Whether it’s “LeBron” bleating in the distance, “Draymond” flapping his wings in protest, or “Mama” chewing cud under the sun, each animal on the Jokić farm tells a story. And in telling their stories, Jokić has revealed something more than just a sense of humor — he’s shown us what keeps him grounded, and why he remains one of the most beloved and unique athletes in all of sports.