Hoops Hype puts out an annual list ranking the top all-time international basketball players. The top players have stayed fairly steady for the past few years but a few modern players have been steadily rising up the list, notably the Denver Nuggets’ own Nikola Jokic.
Since Jokic entered the NBA he has been moving up the ranks and before hitting the age of 30 has already reached the top 10 of the list. On his current trajectory, there is no reason to think that the Joker won’t top the list as the greatest international basketball player ever by the time it’s all said and done.
Nikola Jokic comes in at #4 on the international GOAT list
But for now, Jokic, the Serbian comes in at #4 overall in the 2024 version of the list. Hakeem Olajuwon reigns supreme at #1 in the rankings, which is perfectly reasonable. Dirk Nowitzki stayed strong at #2 on the list. One could argue that Jokic has passed Dirk, but it’s fair to give the benefit of the doubt to the man who played longer.
Where things get interesting is at #3 on the list, where Hoops Hype placed Giannis Antetokounmpo one spot ahead of Jokic. Giannis had a good argument to be over Jokic for years, but at this point, it’s a tough case to still make.
What does Jokic have to do to pass Giannis?
What more does Jokic have to do to pass Giannis? The Joker has won three of the past four NBA MVP Awards, has won a Finals MVP, and has now helped his country win a silver and bronze medal at the Olympics.
Giannis has two MVP awards of his own and has won a Finals MVP award himself. He also has defensive accolades to fall back on. But with the way Jokic has been dominating the league for the past few seasons, it’s hard to argue that he hasn’t passed Giannis in terms of career accolades and achievements.
While it seems disrespectful at the moment, this story is far from over. Both of these players should have long careers ahead of them and have plenty of time to establish themselves ahead of each other - and even over Dirk and Hakeem.
Another young contender has made his way onto the list as Luka Doncic is already up to #9 on the list. Up-and-comers like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Victor Wembanyama should be making their own rises before too long.