CSG Card of the Month: 2015-16 Donruss #215 Nikola Jokic Rated Rookie

2015-16 Donruss #215 Nikola Jokic Rated Rookie Click images to enlarge.

Sport: Basketball

Set: 2015-16 Donruss

Card: #215 Nikola Jokic

What makes it special? Few big men have ever had the unique skillset of NBA star Nikola Jokic, who continues to push the boundaries of what a center can do on a hardwood court. While Jokic isn't known for playing above the rim, what he lacks in athleticism, he makes up for in spades in all other aspects of his game. He is an elite playmaker, has the basketball IQ of an All-Star point guard and has uncanny shot-making abilities, all within a 6'11", 285-pound frame. Nicknamed "The Joker," the Serbian center is a walking triple-double, whose unconventional style of play is nearly impossible to guard, as he's helped lead the Denver Nuggets to their first-ever appearance in the NBA Finals. Jokic is reinventing the center position, as he continues to build a Hall of Fame-worthy resume in Denver.

Did you know? The Denver Nuggets took a chance on a young kid from Serbia with the team's 41st overall pick in the second round of the 2014 NBA Draft. At the time, Nikola Jokic was an afterthought for most NBA scouts. However, Denver was rewarded with the late round pick, as Jokic became a team leader within a few seasons and blossomed into a perennial MVP candidate. In fact, Jokic is already breaking records that no center has ever accomplished, such as his recent NBA postseason record of becoming the first player at any position with four consecutive 20-point triple-doubles. The impressive record shows how well-rounded his game is for a big man and is the prime reason why he won the previous two league MVPs and is already a five-time All-Star.

Total graded by CSG: There are 54 graded examples of the standard version of this card in the CSG Population Report, as of early June 2023. CSG has also graded one die-cut insert: a #215 Inspirations Die-Cut Rated Rookie.

2015-16 Donruss #215 Nikola Jokic Inspirations Die-Cut Rated Rookie Click images to enlarge.

CSG median grade: CSG 9

CSG highest graded: There are 17 standard examples graded CSG Gem Mint 10. The lone die-cut insert is graded CSG 8.

Sales highlights: An example graded CSG Gem Mint 10 realized $74 through PWCC on Christmas Day, in December 2022.

CSG Registry: The card is part of this company set: 2015-16 Donruss, which has 4 competitors. It is also part of Jokic Players Set and the Jokic Rookie Player Set. Due to Jokic's popularity with collectors, his Player Set has 15 competitors, and his Rookie Player Set has 3 competitors. Spade1 has assembled a Player Set called Nikola Jokic that has amassed 475 points and includes a standard version of this card graded CSG Gem Mint 10, which gave him the No. 1 Rank and "Best in Set Type" distinction.

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