NBA star Nikola Jokic reveals his League of Legends main champions and top lane strategies for Season 14
Jokic’s Passion for Gaming Beyond Basketball
During a recent NBA All-Star game interview, Denver Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokic immediately brightened when the conversation shifted from basketball to his genuine passion: League of Legends. The two-time MVP displayed more excitement discussing gaming strategies than he typically shows during basketball discussions.
NBA superstar Nikola Jokic revealed his authentic enthusiasm for League of Legends during an All-Star game interview, showcasing his gaming personality beyond the court.
There’s a well-established narrative surrounding the Serbian center that while he’s arguably the most skilled basketball player globally, his heart often lies elsewhere. Jokic consistently expresses his desire to return to Serbia during offseason breaks, prioritizing time with family and his beloved horses over intensive basketball training camps.
Following his championship victory in the 2023 NBA Finals, which secured the Denver franchise’s first-ever title, Jokic famously expressed disappointment about having to participate in the city’s championship parade the following week rather than enjoying his offseason freedom.
Sports journalists have adapted their interview approaches accordingly, deliberately steering conversations away from basketball topics to engage the typically reserved athlete. This strategy proved successful during the 2024 NBA All-Star weekend when a question about League of Legends sparked Jokic’s animated response.
Revealing His League of Legends Role and Champions
The NBA MVP has previously acknowledged his experience with Riot Games’ popular MOBA, mentioning he typically competes around the Silver ranking tier. However, he had remained relatively quiet about his preferred champions and specific gameplay roles until this revealing interview.
When FanDuel prompted him about League of Legends, Jokic’s expression immediately transformed, and he enthusiastically disclosed his current preference for bruiser champions in the top lane position.
“I primarily play top lane, and my current champion pool includes Urgot and Illaoi – those are the two I’m focusing on right now,” Jokic confirmed during the interview.
Both Urgot and Illaoi maintain competitive win percentages in League’s current Season 14 meta, with Riot Games actively monitoring both champions in recent gameplay balance adjustments. Bruiser champions like these typically build durable items while dealing significant damage, perfectly suiting Jokic’s methodical, calculated playstyle that mirrors his basketball approach.
For players looking to emulate Jokic’s champion choices, understanding the bruiser playstyle is crucial. These champions excel at sustained combat, zone control, and creating pressure in side lanes – similar to how Jokic controls the paint in basketball. Their durability allows for strategic positioning and calculated engagements rather than quick assassinations.
Pro Tips for Playing Jokic’s Champion Picks
Mastering Urgot requires understanding his unique hybrid characteristics as a ranged bruiser. His passive ability, Echoing Flames, deals percentage health damage when enemies are near, making him exceptionally strong against tankier opponents. The key to successful Urgot play involves proper positioning to maximize passive procs while using his Disdain (E) to engage or disengage strategically.
Illaoi dominates through her tentacle mechanics and area control. Her Test of Spirit (E) creates crucial gameplay moments where successful hits spawn additional tentacles that significantly increase her damage output. Smart Illaoi players use terrain to their advantage, fighting near walls where tentacles naturally spawn to maximize their combat effectiveness.
Avoid these common mistakes with Jokic’s champions: Don’t engage as Urgot without your Fear Beyond Death (R) available for execution potential. With Illaoi, never initiate team fights without first landing your E to spawn tentacles. Both champions require patience and strategic positioning rather than aggressive early engages.
Advanced optimization includes learning wave management techniques that complement these champions’ strengths. Urgot excels at freezing lanes near his tower to enable his ultimate’s execution range, while Illaoi benefits from pushing strategies that allow her to set up tentacle networks for defensive plays.
The Growing Crossover Between Sports and Esports
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After intense basketball competitions, Jokic apparently finds relaxation in competitive League matches using durable bruisers in isolated lanes. This preference for methodical, strategic champions reflects his calculated approach to basketball.
The intersection between professional sports and gaming continues expanding, with numerous athletes publicly embracing esports. Like Jokic, many find gaming provides mental stimulation and relaxation away from their primary sports. This crossover highlights how strategic thinking translates across different competitive domains, whether on the court or in the Summoner’s Rift.
For basketball fans interested in gaming, Jokic’s champion choices offer an accessible entry point. Bruisers typically have more forgiving gameplay mechanics than assassins or complex mages, making them ideal for players transitioning from other competitive backgrounds into League of Legends.
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