Jusuf Nurkić Bio
Jusuf Nurkić is a Bosnian professional basketball player who serves as center for the Utah Jazz of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Born on 23 August 1994 in Živinice, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Nurkić began his professional career in Europe before entering the NBA draft in 2014. The Chicago Bulls selected him with the 16th overall pick before trading him to the Denver Nuggets on draft night. Over his NBA career, Nurkić has also played for the Portland Trail Blazers, Phoenix Suns, and Charlotte Hornets. He represents the senior Bosnia and Herzegovina national team internationally.
Early Life and Background
Jusuf Nurkić was born on 23 August 1994 in Živinice, Bosnia and Herzegovina. He began playing basketball at age 14 after Bosnian sports agent Enes Trnovčević took him to Slovenia and gave him his first opportunity to play professionally. Nurkić played in the youth categories for Slovenian team Zlatorog Laško. His father Hariz works as a police officer in Bosnia and Herzegovina and stands approximately 7 feet tall.
In February 2012, Nurkić was briefly loaned to Union Olimpija to compete in the Nike International Junior Tournament held in Belgrade. He attracted international attention by averaging 18.8 points and 11.0 rebounds in five games during the tournament. Shortly after the event, he parted ways with Zlatorog Laško and began training with Croatian team Cedevita.
Path to Professional Basketball
Nurkić gained valuable experience through European youth competitions before joining Cedevita. In 2012, he was named MVP of the FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship Division B, where he averaged 19.4 points and 13.3 rebounds per game. Two years later, he earned MVP honors at the FIBA Europe Under-20 Championship Division B, posting 21.4 points and 12.0 rebounds per game.
Jusuf Nurkić Career
Cedevita Zagreb (2012–2014)
In October 2012, after several months of training with Cedevita, Nurkić signed his first professional contract with the Croatian club. In his debut season, he had a limited role under head coach Aleksandar Petrović, mostly appearing in garbage time. In the Euroleague, he played in only six games, averaging 1.8 points per game. In January 2013, he was loaned to Zadar until the end of the season to gain more playing time.
In his second season under new head coach Jasmin Repeša, Nurkić experienced a breakthrough in the regional Adriatic League, averaging 11.6 points and 5.6 rebounds per game in just 16.3 minutes. In 2014, he was nominated for the FIBA Europe Young Player of the Year Award. That same year, he led Cedevita to the Croatian League championship and earned Croatian League Finals MVP honors along with All-Croatian League Second Team recognition.
Denver Nuggets (2014–2017)
On 26 June 2014, Nurkić was selected by the Chicago Bulls with the 16th overall pick in the 2014 NBA draft. He was later traded to the Denver Nuggets on draft night and signed his rookie scale contract on 31 July. On 29 October 2014, he made his NBA debut, recording five points and seven rebounds in a 89–79 victory over the Detroit Pistons.
On 1 January 2015, Nurkić recorded his first career double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds against the Chicago Bulls. He continued developing throughout his rookie season and was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team in 2015. On 20 May 2015, he underwent successful surgery to repair a partially torn left patellar tendon. After missing the first two months of the 2015–16 season recovering from the injury, Nurkić returned in January 2016 and scored a career-high 21 points against the San Antonio Spurs on 8 April.
In the Nuggets’ 2016–17 season opener, Nurkić set a new career high with 23 points against the New Orleans Pelicans. After Nikola Jokić emerged as Denver’s starting center, Nurkić was moved to the bench. Unhappy with the reduced role, he requested a trade twice. The Nuggets granted his request 10 days before the 2017 trade deadline.
Portland Trail Blazers (2017–2023)
On 13 February 2017, Nurkić was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers along with a 2017 first-round draft pick in exchange for Mason Plumlee. He made his Trail Blazers debut on 15 February, recording 13 points and seven rebounds in a loss to the Utah Jazz. Less than two weeks later, he recorded his first double-double as a Trail Blazer with 12 points and 12 rebounds against the Orlando Magic.
On 9 March 2017, Nurkić recorded a career-high 28 points and 20 rebounds in an overtime victory over the Philadelphia 76ers. He also recorded eight assists and six blocks in that game, becoming the first NBA player since Charles Barkley in November 1986 to post at least 28 points, 20 rebounds, eight assists, and six blocks in a single game. On 28 March, he set a new career high with 33 points against his former team, the Nuggets. Three days later, he was ruled out for the rest of the regular season with a non-displaced fracture in his right leg.
On 1 January 2019, Nurkić logged a career-high 23 rebounds against the Sacramento Kings while recording 24 points, seven assists, five blocks, and five steals. This performance marked the first game since official recording of steals and blocks in 1973 where a player achieved a 5×5 statistical line with at least 20 points, 20 rebounds, five assists, five blocks, and five steals. Ten days later, he recorded his first career triple-double with 10 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
On 25 March 2019, Nurkić suffered a compound fracture of his left tibia and fibula during an overtime victory against the Brooklyn Nets. He had recorded a season-high 32 points and 16 rebounds before the injury. The recovery kept him out for the remainder of the 2019–20 season. He returned in July 2020 following the COVID-19 pandemic pause. On 6 July 2022, Nurkić re-signed with the Trail Blazers on a four-year, $70 million contract.
Phoenix Suns (2023–2025)
On 27 September 2023, Nurkić was traded to the Phoenix Suns as part of a three-team deal involving the Milwaukee Bucks and Portland Trail Blazers. He made his Suns debut on 24 October 2023, recording a double-double of 14 points and 14 rebounds in a victory over the Golden State Warriors.
On 3 March 2024, Nurkić recorded a career-high 31 rebounds alongside 14 points in a loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. This marked the most rebounds in a single game by any NBA player since 2010 and broke the Suns franchise record for most rebounds in a game. On 28 December 2024, he was suspended for three games without pay for an altercation involving Dallas Mavericks players during a game.
Charlotte Hornets (2025)
On 6 February 2025, Nurkić was traded to the Charlotte Hornets alongside a 2026 first-round pick in exchange for Cody Martin, Vasilije Micić, and a 2026 second-round pick.
Utah Jazz (2025–Present)
On 29 June 2025, Nurkić was traded to the Utah Jazz in exchange for Collin Sexton and a 2030 second-round pick. On 25 January 2026, he became the first player in Jazz franchise history to record three consecutive triple-doubles. He made 41 appearances including 36 starts, averaging 10.9 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game. On 23 February 2026, he underwent season-ending nose surgery.
Playing Style and Strengths
Nurkić is known for his physical presence as a center, standing 6 feet 11 inches and weighing 290 pounds. He excels as a rebounder, having recorded multiple 20-rebound games throughout his career including a career-high 31 rebounds in a single game. His ability to affect games on both ends of the floor is demonstrated by his numerous double-doubles, triple-doubles, and historic 5×5 statistical performances.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among his most notable achievements are the historic 5×5 game on 1 January 2019, when he became the first player since steals and blocks began being recorded in 1973 to post at least 20 points, 20 rebounds, five assists, five blocks, and five steals in a game. His 31-rebound game on 3 March 2024 marked the most rebounds in an NBA game since 2010.
Jusuf Nurkić Career Wins
Throughout his professional career spanning European leagues and the NBA, Nurkić has accumulated significant accomplishments at both the club and international levels. His European career includes a Croatian League championship and Finals MVP honors. In the NBA, he earned All-Rookie Second Team recognition and has recorded numerous double-double and triple-double performances across multiple franchises.
NBA Highlights
Nurkić was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team in 2015 following his first season with the Denver Nuggets. His career includes multiple 20-rebound games and historic statistical performances. His 33-point game against the Nuggets in March 2017 and his 31-rebound game with the Suns in March 2024 stand among his most impressive individual performances. His triple-double on 16 January 2019 marked a significant milestone in his career.
International Honors
At the international level, Nurkić earned MVP honors at the FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship Division B in 2012 and followed that with MVP recognition at the FIBA Europe Under-20 Championship Division B in 2014. He has represented Bosnia and Herzegovina at multiple senior competitions including EuroBasket 2017 qualification and EuroBasket 2022.
Jusuf Nurkić Family
Family Background
Nurkić was born to Hariz Nurkić, a police officer in Bosnia and Herzegovina. His father stands approximately 7 feet tall, similar to his son’s height. Nurkić has a younger brother who began playing basketball at age 13 and wears size 16 shoes, showing interest in playing college basketball in the United States.
Personal Life
Nurkić is a practicing Muslim. He maintains a presence on social media, where he shares updates about his career and personal life with his followers. His NBA career has taken him to multiple cities across the United States while he continues to represent Bosnia and Herzegovina internationally.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 NBA season marked a period of transition for Nurkić. Beginning the season with the Phoenix Suns, he recorded a notable 31-rebound game in March 2024 that set the Suns franchise record and represented the most rebounds in an NBA game in over a decade. The Suns struggled early in the 2024–25 campaign, sitting at 15–18 before the new year, leading to changes in Nurkić’s role.
In February 2025, Nurkić was traded to the Charlotte Hornets, providing him with a fresh start. He appeared in limited games with the Hornets before being traded once again, this time to the Utah Jazz in late June 2025. His move to Utah represented a new chapter in his career as he joined a franchise in a developmental phase.