VCU's Lazar Djokovic not related to tennis star Novak Djokovic

Lazar Djokovic, a key player for the VCU Rams, shares a last name but no relation to the tennis legend.

Mar. 21, 2026 at 5:50am

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VCU forward Lazar Djokovic has helped lead the Rams to the NCAA Tournament, but despite sharing the same last name, he is not related to tennis star Novak Djokovic. Lazar Djokovic is a 22-year-old Serbian player who has transferred to VCU after stints at Xavier and Charleston. While both athletes hail from Serbia, their family backgrounds are unconnected.

Why it matters

The shared last name between the VCU basketball player and the tennis great has led to some confusion, with fans wondering if the two are related. Clarifying that they are not related helps provide context around Lazar Djokovic's background and basketball career.

The details

Lazar Djokovic, listed at 6-foot-11 and 235 pounds, has emerged as a key player for the VCU Rams this season. He transferred to VCU after averaging 7.9 points and 6.3 rebounds per game at Charleston in 2024-25. With the Rams, Djokovic has averaged 13.6 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game, helping the team win the Atlantic 10 title and advance to the NCAA Tournament, where they upset No. 6 seed North Carolina in the first round.

  • Lazar Djokovic transferred to VCU in the 2025 offseason.
  • In the 2025-26 season, Djokovic helped guide the Rams to an Atlantic 10 title and an NCAA Tournament appearance.
  • Djokovic will turn 23 years old on April 15, 2026.

The players

Lazar Djokovic

A 22-year-old forward for the VCU Rams, who has transferred to the school after playing at Xavier and Charleston. He has emerged as a key player for VCU, helping the team win the Atlantic 10 title and advance to the NCAA Tournament.

Novak Djokovic

A legendary tennis player from Belgrade, Serbia, who is not related to VCU's Lazar Djokovic despite the shared last name.

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What’s next

Lazar Djokovic and the VCU Rams will look to continue their NCAA Tournament run after upsetting North Carolina in the first round.

The takeaway

While Lazar Djokovic and Novak Djokovic share a last name, they are not related, hailing from different family backgrounds in Serbia. Lazar Djokovic has emerged as a key player for the VCU Rams, helping the team reach the NCAA Tournament and pull off an upset over a top seed.