Nikola Jokic knows almost little about college basketball, but he fell in love with Cinderella in March.

After putting in a performance worthy of a third MVP award, which coach Michael Malone believes is approaching, Jokic unwinds on Easter Sunday by watching North Carolina State defeat Duke to go to the NCAA men’s Final Four.

If he was late for his postgame news conference, it was because he was learning about his new favorite player.

“They were not supposed to make the tournament, right?” Jokic asked reporters.

Correct. That No. 11 seed he was watching would not have made it to the NCAA Tournament if he hadn’t won five games in a row to shock the ACC and win the conference tournament.

Jokic, sporting a borderline ecstatic smile, called out DJ Burns Jr., the Wolfpack’s 6-foot-9, 275-pound center. Jokic spoke with approximately one minute remaining in the Elite Eight game, as Burns was finishing up a 29-point performance to match his season high and help North Carolina State win its ninth straight elimination game.

“I think he’s quite skilled, especially as a lefty. “I’d love to be left-handed,” Jokic remarked. “And it appears that players, especially teammates, enjoy playing with him. So I gotta be a good guy.”

If that’s the yardstick, Jokic could be the nicest person on the globe. He had just finished with 26 points, 18 rebounds, and 16 assists to lead the Denver Nuggets to a 130-101 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers. It was one of those Jokic performances that left teammates looking for fresh adjectives to describe him.

“He’s a supernova,” point guard Reggie Jackson stated. “He is the brightest star.” Honestly, he is the sun. “Everything revolves around him.”

“It speaks to why he’s going to be a three-time MVP,” Malone said of Jokic’s effort against Cleveland’s formidable defensive frontcourt. “It reflects his understanding that it’s not just about Nikola.” And that’s probably what I admire most about him: his selflessness. It’s not about him getting 26, 18, and 16, but about how much he was into the game tonight, especially in the huddles. I’m talking to males. Being vocal on the court. “That demonstrates the investment.”

As always, there were plenty of highlights. Jokic sent a needle behind his back to a cutting Kentavious Caldwell-Pope for one of his assists. He touch-passed another one, volleyball-style, to Christian Braun for a corner three. He assisted one-third of Denver’s 3-pointers during a season-high 64% outside shooting day for the squad.

He also made an intangible contribution, realizing that Denver needed a win after two straight losses and that his assertiveness would be more important without Jamal Murray. After the first-quarter buzzer, he gave Jackson some heated player coaching on the quarter’s final inbound play. Jackson had been gesturing for the ball with his left elbow while Jokic missed a 31-foot heave.

“My goal was to receive the ball and attack. I thought I could get a play and try to get at (Darius) Garland right away,” Jackson said. “But, honestly, that’s on me. I have to be the one to take the ball out. Gotta get these guys settled. We need to get the play set up. Because, well, we saw what he did with his game-winning shot against the Warriors a long time ago. So you just need to give him a good look.”

Jokic’s offense was more narrowly focused than normal, as he preferred to back down All-Defense candidate Jarrett Allen rather than swiftly pass out of post-ups. The fact that he was able to accumulate 16 assists demonstrates the numerous virtues of his game that can appear all at once.

“He’s entertaining to watch… “I wouldn’t want to play or plan against that guy,” Malone added.

That is how Jokic feels about the big man from North Carolina State.

“He’s amazing,” Jokic exclaimed, grinning.

DJ Burns Jr. of North Carolina State carries the South Regional trophy following an Elite Eight college basketball game versus Duke in the NCAA Tournament in Dallas on Sunday, March 31, 2024. North Carolina State won 76–64. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade).