Jusuf Nurkić Bio
Jusuf Nurkić is a Bosnian professional basketball player for the Utah Jazz of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He also represents the senior Bosnia and Herzegovina national team. Nurkić was selected by the Chicago Bulls with the 16th overall pick in the 2014 NBA draft, before being traded to the Denver Nuggets on draft night. He has also played for the Portland Trail Blazers, Phoenix Suns, and the Charlotte Hornets.
Early Life and Background
Jusuf Nurkić was born on 23 August 1994 in Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina. He began playing basketball at the age of 14 after being introduced to the sport by Bosnian sports agent Enes Trnovčević, who provided him with an opportunity to play in Slovenia. Nurkić played in the youth categories for the Slovenian team Zlatorog Laško. In February 2012, he was briefly loaned to Union Olimpija to participate in the Nike International Junior Tournament in Belgrade, where he gained international attention by averaging 18.8 points and 11.0 rebounds in five games.
Path to Basketball
After his impressive performance in the junior tournament, Nurkić parted ways with Zlatorog Laško and began training with Croatian team Cedevita. In October 2012, he signed a contract with Cedevita Zagreb. During his first season, he had a limited role under head coach Aleksandar Petrović, playing primarily in garbage time. However, in his second season, he experienced a breakthrough in the regional Adriatic League, averaging 11.6 points and 5.6 rebounds per game, which showcased his potential and skill on the court.
Jusuf Nurkić Career
Early Career (2012–2014)
Nurkić’s professional career began in 2012 with Cedevita Zagreb. His first notable work came during the 2013 season when he was loaned to Zadar, where he aimed to gain more playing time. After returning to Cedevita, he continued to develop his game, leading to his selection in the 2014 NBA draft. On 26 June 2014, Nurkić was drafted by the Chicago Bulls as the 16th overall pick but was traded to the Denver Nuggets on draft night. He signed his rookie scale contract with the Nuggets on 31 July 2014.
Breakthrough (2014–2017)
Nurkić made his NBA debut on 29 October 2014, recording five points and seven rebounds in a victory over the Detroit Pistons. He quickly established himself as a valuable player for the Nuggets, achieving his first career double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds against the Chicago Bulls on 1 January 2015. Nurkić continued to impress, recording multiple double-doubles throughout his rookie season and earning a spot in the 2015 Rising Stars Challenge.
Notable Works and Milestones
During his time with the Denver Nuggets, Nurkić set several career highs, including a personal best of 21 points in a game against the San Antonio Spurs. He underwent surgery in May 2015 for a partially torn left patellar tendon, which impacted his subsequent seasons. Despite facing challenges, he remained a key player for the Nuggets until he was traded in 2017.
Portland Trail Blazers (2017–2023)
On 13 February 2017, Nurkić was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers, where he made an immediate impact. He recorded a career-high 28 points and 20 rebounds in a game against the Philadelphia 76ers, becoming the first NBA player to achieve such a stat line since Charles Barkley in 1986. Nurkić’s performance continued to shine, including a career-high 33 points in a victory over the Nuggets.
Phoenix Suns (2023–2025)
In September 2023, Nurkić was traded to the Phoenix Suns as part of a three-team trade. He made his Suns debut on 24 October, contributing to a victory over the Golden State Warriors with a double-double of 14 points and 14 rebounds. Nurkić recorded a career-high 31 rebounds in a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, marking a significant achievement in his career.
Charlotte Hornets (2025)
On 6 February 2025, Nurkić was traded to the Charlotte Hornets alongside a 2026 first-round pick. He is expected to continue his career with the Hornets, contributing his skills and experience to the team.
Utah Jazz (2025–present)
On 29 June 2025, Nurkić was traded to the Utah Jazz in exchange for Collin Sexton and a 2030 second-round pick. He will aim to make an impact with his new team in the upcoming seasons.
Jusuf Nurkić Award Nominations
Throughout his career, Jusuf Nurkić has received several award nominations, including being named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team in 2015 and being nominated for the FIBA Europe Young Player of the Year Award in 2014.
Jusuf Nurkić Awards Won
Nurkić has won multiple awards during his career, including the Croatian League champion title in 2014, the Croatian League Finals MVP in 2014, and being named to the All-Croatian League Second Team in 2014. His achievements reflect his skill and dedication to the sport.
Jusuf Nurkić Family
Information about Jusuf Nurkić’s family is limited. His father, Hariz, is a police officer in Bosnia and Herzegovina and is noted for his impressive height of 7 feet. Nurkić has a younger brother who is also interested in basketball and aspires to play collegiately in the United States.
Personal Life
Jusuf Nurkić is a practicing Muslim. He has been involved in some controversies, including a tweet that sparked discussion in former Yugoslavia regarding the beginning of Ramadan. Despite this, he remains focused on his basketball career and contributions to his team.