Even though Nikola Jokic is utterly ignorant about college basketball, he somehow developed feelings for Cinderella this March.

Jokic saw North Carolina State defeat Duke on Easter Sunday to advance to the NCAA men’s Final Four, after putting on a performance deserving of a third MVP trophy, which coach Michael Malone feels is likely.

If he was running behind schedule for his news conference following the game, it was to learn more about his newfound idol.

“You do realize they were not supposed to make the tournament?” Jokic questioned journalists.

True. Without winning five games in a row to unexpectedly win the ACC tournament and advance to the NCAA Tournament, the No. 11 seed he was watching would not even be in the tournament.

Jokic, sporting a nearly ecstatic grin, called out DJ Burns Jr., the 6-foot-9, 275-pound center for the Wolfpack. Jokic was speaking with just over a minute remaining in the Elite Eight game, as Burns was finishing up a 29-point performance that surpassed his season high and helped North Carolina State win its ninth straight elimination game.

He seems quite talented to me, especially as a lefty. “I wish I was a lefty,” Jokic remarked. And it appears that teammates and other players enjoy playing with him. Thus, one must be a good man.

Jokic could be the world’s nicest guy if that is the measure. He had just concluded a 26-point, 18-rebound, 16-assist performance that helped the Denver Nuggets thrash the Cleveland Cavaliers 130-101. It was one of those Jokic games where teammates were at a loss for words to characterize him.

Reggie Jackson, a point guard, called him a “supernova.” “The brightest star is him. He really is the sun. He is the center of attention for everything.

Regarding Jokic’s performance against Cleveland’s well-stocked defensive frontcourt, Malone remarked, “It speaks to why he is going to be a three-time MVP.” It illustrates his realization that Nikola is not the only person involved. And it is arguably my favorite quality about him: his selflessness. It does not matter that he scored 26, 18, and 16; what matters is that he was incredibly engaged in the game and the huddles tonight. conversing with men. speaking up on the court. That demonstrates the investment.

As usual, there were plenty of highlights. For one of his assists, Jokic threaded a needle behind his back to a cutting Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. He then touch-passed another one to Christian Braun for a corner three-pointer, a la volleyball. As part of a squad that shot 64% outside as a whole, a season-high, he assisted on one-third of Denver’s 3-pointers.

He made an intangible contribution as well, realizing that Denver needed a victory to snap a losing streak and that his assertiveness would be more important in the absence of Jamal Murray. He gave Jackson some intense player-coaching after the first-quarter buzzer about the final inbound play of the period. Jokic had been attempting to hit a 31-foot heave, but Jackson had been waving for the ball near the left elbow.

“I wanted to attempt to attack with the ball. Jackson remarked, “I figured I could probably get a play, try to go at (Darius) Garland real quick.” However, that is entirely my fault. It is my responsibility to remove the ball. I had to settle these men down. We need to make sure the play is set up. After all, we have seen what he is capable of—his game-winning shot against the Warriors, for example, a long time ago. Thus, you only need to take a close look at him.

Jokic was more determined to subdue All-Defense candidate Jarrett Allen than to rapidly tire of post-ups, thus his approach was more singularly focused than usual. The fact that he was still able to rack up 16 assists was evidence of the various qualities in his game that may come into play at once.

He is a lot of fun to watch. Malone remarked, “I would love to play against that guy or game-plan against that guy.”

Jokic feels that way about the large man from North Carolina State.

Jokic grinned and remarked, “He is amazing.”

In March Madness, nuggets are the champions.

This year, Denver’s lineup included seven different seeds from their alma mater in the men’s tournament. All nine of those teams were victorious, but none of them advanced to the Final Four. The Clemson Tigers, led by rookie Hunter Tyson, advanced to the Elite Eight, the farthest.

The Nuggets’ alma school played two head-to-head games: Clemson against Arizona and Gonzaga against Kansas (Christian Braun donned a Gonzaga jersey at Ball Arena at Julian Strawther’s request).