American Disrespect Towards Jokic Continues: Ranking the Best Foreigners Ever, Here's Where the Serb Stands!

Pulse Sports Team 19:03 - 08 August 2026

The American website "Hoopshype" decided to rank the greatest foreign players in basketball history in honor of the NBA's 80th anniversary, and naturally, many Serbian basketball players made the cut.

Nikola Jokic is widely considered a contender for the title of the greatest non-American basketball player ever, but one particular website doesn't quite see it that way. In fact, Jokic is ranked only fourth, with Giannis Antetokounmpo placed ahead of him in third.

The top two spots are reserved for Hakeem Olajuwon and Dirk Nowitzki, while Luka Doncic sits at ninth, behind Steve Nash, Tony Parker, Pau Gasol, and even Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

If he continues at this pace, it's not out of the question that Nikola Jokic could one day reach the top spot. One could even argue that his peak, if he has indeed reached it, is at least on par with any other player on this list. In fact, we've ranked his peak as the seventh-best in league history, surpassing several all-time great candidates. An elite NBA offense can be built around Jokic thanks to his exceptional passing and scoring abilities. As the first foreign player with three MVP awards and the first center to achieve this since Moses Malone, Jokic is expected to have a long and impactful career, especially since his game relies very little on athletic prowess or explosiveness.

Other Serbian basketball players featured on the list include Predrag Stojakovic (19th), Vlade Divac (23rd), Dejan Bodiroga (54th), Predrag Danilovic (69th), and Bogdan Bogdanovic (76th).