Nuggets fans celebrate date of Malone’s bold move in 2016 to start Jokic as ‘Jokmas’

Posted Apr 12, 2026
Nikola Jokic’s rise to stardom began with what seemed like a bold coaching move at the time by current UNC basketball coach Michael Malone. Jokic was a second-round pick and was playing behind first-round pick Jusuf Nurkic when the Denver Nuggets’ coach went against conventional NBA logic in a decision that reshaped the franchise and Jokic’s career. (Tar Heel Tribune)

Related: Basketball, Tar Heels in the NBA

Video: Locked On Tar Heels - Luka Bogavac in Portal, Maximo Adams a Heel, Jonathan Powell to Pitt
Luka Bogavac initially indicated he wanted to return to UNC, but Saturday declared he'll enter the portal. Jonathan Powell becomes the first Tar Heel to...
Sun Apr 12, 2026

Cormac Ryan leads Milwaukee Bucks to Friday win with breakout night
Cormac Ryan, a sharpshooter during UNC's 2023-24 Sweet 16 run, exploded for a career-high 28 points in Milwaukee's 125-108 win over the Brooklyn Nets. Ryan...
Sun Apr 12, 2026

Michael Malone Wasn’t Carolina, But He Wasn’t a Stranger, Either
Michael Malone sat in the stands at the Smith Center with a notebook, just another visitor watching Carolina's basketball practice. Minutes later, then-head coach Hubert...
Sun Apr 12, 2026

Video: Locked On Tar Heels - Tyler Hansbrough Praises Michael Malone Hire
Michael Malone takes the reins for UNC Men's Basketball. Will his passionate, tough-minded approach return the Tar Heels to national title contention? Tyler Hansbrough discusses...
Sun Apr 12, 2026