In 2014, Nikola Jokic entered the NBA Draft. Fresh off a season in the Serbian basketball league, the 6-foot-11, 19-year-old kid decided to turn pro. He did not get much attention coming off a season during which he averaged 10.9 points, 6 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game. In the draft, teams picked 40 players before Denver selected Jokic in the second round. The average NBA fan has not heard of about 35 of those players in the decade since the draft. As for Joker, most scouts now consider him arguably the biggest draft steal in league history.
Following three MVPs in the last four seasons and an NBA title, Jokic’s status in the annals of the NBA extends far beyond outplaying his No. 41 draft slot. This 2015 National Treasures Rookie Autographs issue portrays the fresh-faced Jokic years before he became one of the most dominant players in the NBA. Stamped 42/99, it’s one of only five PSA 10/DNA 10 examples.
The certification number on this card has been checked against the third-party grader's online database and is active as of 1/6/2025.
