Nikola Jokić and Serbia took down Victor Wembanyama and France 90-87 in a FIBA World Cup exhibition game on Thursday. Jokić scored 20 points, pulled down nine rebounds, and dished out eight assists to lead the way for Serbia. Wembanyama, on the other hand, struggled and scored just 10 points while having six turnovers for France.

But the basketball world is well aware of how special Wembanyama is, and you can count Jokić among those who are huge believers in the 22-year-old going forward.

Jokić, a three-time NBA MVP and the 2023 NBA Finals MVP with the Denver Nuggets, told the media on Thursday that Wembanyama “definitely has the opportunity to be the best ever.” He also rejected the idea that the San Antonio Spurs’ star is now a rival and just appreciates what Wembanyama brings to the sport.

“He has the opportunity to be the most unique basketball player we’ve ever seen…. To be the best ever”

Nothing but praise and respect by Nikola Jokic for Victor Wembanyama as a player and a person #FIBAWC #StepItUp pic.twitter.com/nLlJ7Td30x

— Eurohoops (@Eurohoopsnet) August 20, 2026

“He’s a special opponent, just because how unique is as a player and a person,” Jokić said about Wembanyama. “I don’t see it as a rivalry. Do I take it a bit more (seriously)? No, I think I play every game the same way.”

“He definitely has the opportunity to be the most unique basketball player we’ve ever seen… He definitely has the opportunity to be the best ever,” Jokić elaborated.

That’s quite the praise coming from Jokić, who’s already put together one of the best careers the NBA has ever seen.

Wembanyama led the Spurs to the NBA Finals in his third season, highlighted by a stunning takedown of the then-defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Finals. Now, he’ll have the Spurs as one of the top NBA title favorites for many years to come. And perhaps that will feature a few postseason showdowns against Jokić.