Nikola Jokić has etched his name in the history books already. In the game against Utah Jazz, the Denver Nuggets star became the youngest player, at 28 years old, in the history of the NBA to record 13000 points, 6000 rebounds, and 4000 assists. This takes him ahead of LeBron James who accomplished the feat at 29 years and 82 days.
13,000 points for Nikola Jokic 👏
The Joker becomes the youngest player in NBA history to record 13K+ points, 6K+ rebounds, and 4K+ assists in their career, previous: LeBron James (29y, 82d)
📺 Nuggets-Jazz | Live on ESPN pic.twitter.com/Y02nZicEUP
— NBA (@NBA) January 11, 2024
Nikola Jokić becomes the leader of an elite list in the NBA
Nikola Jokić is now the leader of the list that proves his efficiency and impact as a player. To put the record of James and Jokic into perspective, James reached the 13000 mark at the age of 24 years and 301 days, breaking the then-record of the legendary Kobe Bryant, who accomplished it at 26 years and 132 days. He was only shy of the 6000 rebound mark and reached the feat in 2014. By this time, James had amassed a staggering 22820 points and 5722 assists.
However, there are several factors to this. Jokic joined the Denver Nuggets in 2015 but wasn’t a starter until 2017. He mostly came off the bench and became the main focus of the team around 2017. Hence, his statistics skyrocketed. But James was the major focus of the Cleveland Cavaliers from an early age, putting up the numbers. His legendary career has known no bounds and so does Jokic’s.
Nikola Jokić led the Nuggets to the NBA Championship last year and has established himself as one of the best centers of all time. His overall NBA career statistics are 20.5 points per game, 10.6 rebounds per game, and 6.8 assists per game. He has been steadily improving at a rapid rate and his current season has been great. He averages 25.5 points, 11.8 rebounds and 9.2 assists. He previously played for Serbian club Mega Basket in the Adriatic Basketball Association before being drafted by the Nuggets in 2015 as the 41st pick in the 2nd round. This has led to Nikola Jokić being labeled as the greatest draft steal in the history of NVA.
13K career points for Nikola Jokić.
More to come from him 📈 pic.twitter.com/TExngLQLpp
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) January 11, 2024
His statistics already testify he is one of the greatest basketball players of all time. However, with the rate at which it keeps improving, he is looking at the very top of the scoring, rebound, and assist charts.