Victor Wembanyama is learning as much as he can from playing against Nikola Jokic.
The two best centers in the NBA clashed on the international stage recently when the Serbian national team, headlined by Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic, and the French national team, headlined by Victor Wembanyama, met during a FIBA World Cup qualifying game that Serbia won 90-87.
Having that much talent on the floor at once, especially when Jokic and Wembanyama are concerned, is always going to be a sight to see and considering where both players are at in their careers, with Jokic currently reigning as the best center in the world, but Wembanyama close behind, any matchup between the two of them is an interesting look at two of the most unique players in NBA history.
After the game, Jokic praised Wembanyama, even going so far as to say that he could be the greatest player ever by the time he retires, and when Wembanyama was asked about Jokic in turn, he described how he takes the time to learn something from Jokic every time the two play each other, whether in the NBA or internationally.
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) blocks the shot of Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) in the second quarter at Ball Arena. Ron Chenoy-Imagn ImagesWhat Wembanyama Is Learning
"Of course you always learn something when you play against Jokic," Wembanyama said (via HoopsHype). "You always catch some stuff and smarter moves on the court in those duels with him."
Wembanyama and Jokic are the two most dominant centers in the NBA, without question, but the way that each of them play is distinct from each other and with both of them being such anomalies, there is a lot for Wembanyama to pick up on that could make his own game better.
San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) and Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) battle for position during an inbound pass in the second half at Frost Bank Center. Scott Wachter-Imagn ImagesJokic at his core is an offensively-minded player, using his outstanding court vision to act as a pivot point for his teammates and becoming the best playmaking center the game has ever seen while also dominating in the post and in the midrange, while Wembanyama at his core is a defensively-minded player, leveraging his size to be a shot-blocking menace.
How Wembanyama Can Improve
San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) controls the ball under pressure from Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. (1) and center Nikola Jokic (15) in the third quarter at Ball Arena. Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn ImagesUpping his offensive game is the last step that Wembanyama truly has to take to be a premier threat on both ends of the court and watching the way that Jokic moves inside the paint could be the step that Wembanyama has to take.
It may be a few years before Wembanyama can truly overtake Jokic for the number one center spot in the NBA, but taking his time to learn everything he can from Jokic as a player is a surefire way to accelerate that progress and take just another step closer to taking the top spot in the NBA as a whole and at just 22-years-old, Wembanyama has plenty of time to get there.
