Nikola Jokic, the Nuggets’ great big man, is having an absolutely outstanding NBA playoff performance.

However, long before the two-time NBA MVP faced the Heat in the NBA Finals, the big man was far from the United States. Jokic was born and reared in Sombor, Serbia, where he learned the game of basketball from his older brothers.

He enjoyed horse racing as a boy in Serbia, and he still does. During ESPN’s pregame coverage for the championship series, we caught a glimpse of Jokic’s childhood photo.

Look at that wonderfully attractive young man!

Who would have predicted that this boy would grow up to be one of the most dominant and versatile basketball players in the world?