In what might go down as the most unbelievable headline in basketball history, Nikola Jokić — widely considered the best basketball player on the planet — has stunned the sports world by announcing his commitment to the Indiana Hoosiers, turning down offers from Duke Basketball and even a lucrative NBA deal with the Golden State Warriors.Yes, you read that correctly. Nikola Jokić, reigning NBA MVP and three-time champion, has declared that he will suit up for Mike Woodson’s Indiana Hoosiers in the 2025–26 NCAA season.
The Basketball World Loses Its Mind
“I’ve always said I play for the love of the game,” Jokić said at a packed press conference in Belgrade, Serbia. “And right now, what excites me most is experiencing college basketball — and there’s no place better to do that than Indiana.”
The basketball community is still trying to process what it just heard. Social media has gone into a frenzy. Former players, analysts, fans, and even rival coaches have chimed in with disbelief and admiration.
Jokić, who just last week led the Denver Nuggets to their second straight NBA Finals appearance, reportedly turned down a $100 million extension from Golden State, citing burnout, a desire for a change of pace, and a longtime curiosity about the college basketball atmosphere.
“He wants to sit in a dorm, eat campus food, and play in front of the Assembly Hall crowd,” said one stunned NBA scout. “This is like LeBron James joining the G League after winning a title.”
Why Indiana?
The choice of Indiana is both shocking and oddly poetic. Known for its rich basketball tradition, passionate fan base, and deep ties to the game’s roots, Bloomington offers Jokić a place to experience basketball in its rawest form.
Head coach Mike Woodson was reportedly just as surprised as anyone.
“Honestly? I thought it was a prank at first,” Woodson admitted. “Then I got a Zoom call with him. He said, ‘Coach, I want to wear the candy stripes. Let’s make history.’ I said, ‘Well, alright then.’”
Jokić will be eligible to play immediately due to a special exemption granted by the NCAA in partnership with the NBA and FIBA — reportedly part of an experimental “elite crossover” initiative quietly developed over the past year.
What Does This Mean for College Basketball?
Quite simply: everything changes.
With Jokić joining Indiana, the Hoosiers are now instant title favorites, and college basketball has just been elevated to a global spectacle.
Indiana’s ticket sales spiked within 10 minutes of the announcement. ESPN and FOX Sports are already bidding for exclusive broadcast rights to every Indiana game. Hoosier jerseys with Jokić’s name on the back have crashed online stores.
Meanwhile, Duke head coach Jon Scheyer was reportedly “speechless,” while Warriors GM Mike Dunleavy Jr. simply offered, “He’s Nikola. What can you say?”
Final Word from Jokić
“I’ve played in the biggest arenas in the world. But I’ve never played with a marching band in the stands or heard 17,000 students chant my name in Indiana. I want to feel that before I hang ‘em up.”
And just like that, the college basketball landscape has been rewritten.
Hoosier Nation: Get ready. Jokić is coming to Bloomington.