Nikola Jokic does not view Victor Wembanyama as a personal rivalry, but the three-time NBA MVP believes the San Antonio Spurs star has the opportunity to become “the best ever” if he continues developing and takes care of his body.
After Serbia’s 90-87 victory over France in a friendly at Belgrade Arena on Thursday, Jokic was asked whether Wembanyama had become a special opponent and how high he sees the Frenchman’s ceiling.
“He’s definitely a special opponent, you know, just because how unique he is as a player, as a person,” Jokic said. “So I don’t see it as a rivalry. Do I take it a little bit more? No, I think I play every game the same way.
“But Victor definitely has an opportunity to be the most unique basketball player that we’ve ever seen. It only depends on him how well he’s going to fit, how well he’s going to work hard, how well he’s going to get to his spots, how well he’s going to treat his body well. He definitely has the opportunity to be the best ever.”
The two centers faced each other in Belgrade, with Jokic posting 20 points, nine rebounds and eight assists in 29 minutes. He made 4 of 10 two-point attempts and 1 of 3 from three while going 9-for-12 at the free-throw line as Serbia prevailed by three points.
Wembanyama finished with 10 points, five rebounds, two assists, two steals and two blocks in 24 minutes. He made 2 of 2 two-point attempts but went 1-for-6 from three-point range and committed six turnovers.
Their NBA resumes already place them among the league’s most accomplished big men. Jokic, 31, averaged 27.7 points, 12.9 rebounds and 10.7 assists in 65 games for Denver in 2025-26, finishing second in MVP voting and earning another All-NBA First Team selection.
Wembanyama, meanwhile, averaged 25.0 points, 11.5 rebounds and 3.1 blocks in 64 games during his third NBA season. The 22-year-old finished third in MVP voting, won Defensive Player of the Year and made both the All-NBA First Team and All-Defensive First Team.
The contrast between the two players was also reflected in their teams’ 2025-26 results. Jokic led Denver to a 54-28 record and the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference before the Nuggets lost to Minnesota in six games in the first round.
Wembanyama helped San Antonio finish 62-20, second in the West, before the Spurs advanced through the Western Conference and reached the NBA Finals. San Antonio ultimately lost the championship series 4-1 to the New York Knicks.
