Denver Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokic has kicked off his much-anticipated five-day tour of China as an ambassador for Chinese sportswear brand 361°, receiving a warm—and unusual—welcome from thousands of excited fans.
The Serbian NBA champion touched down at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport on Thursday, where he was met with a wave of enthusiastic supporters. Clad in Jokic jerseys and his custom Peppa Pig-themed sneakers, the crowd chanted his name as the two-time NBA MVP made his way through the terminal, smiling and waving at admirers.
One of the standout moments of his arrival came when Jokic was gifted a statue of a horse’s head, crafted entirely from replicas of sneakers he wore during the last NBA season. The creative present, a nod to Jokic’s well-documented love for horses, drew laughter and appreciation from the Serbian big man, who appeared visibly impressed by the gesture.
Jokic’s China tour, which runs from July 17 to 21, will see him make stops in Beijing, Guangzhou, Foshan, Shenzhen, Chengdu, and Shijiazhuang. The promotional visit not only highlights his growing global popularity but also reflects the NBA’s expanding footprint in Asia, where basketball continues to surge in popularity.
The Denver Nuggets center, who led his team to an NBA title in 2023 and remains one of the league’s most dominant forces, is expected to draw massive crowds at each stop on his tour. With Jokic’s crossover appeal and unique persona, the trip promises to be both a marketing success and a cultural celebration of basketball excellence.
