Nikola Jokic names his four greatest NBA players of all time... with one surprising choice

NBA superstar Nikola Jokic has named his four greatest players of all time, including one opponent from his own generation.

The Denver Nuggets center is a three-time NBA MVP and led the franchise to its first championship in 2023, earning NBA Finals MVP honours along the way.

Speaking exclusively to SPORTbible ahead of the announcement of his new partnership with Sprite, the Serbian revealed which four players would make his NBA Mount Rushmore, as well as the opponents who have caused him the most problems on court.

Nikola Jokic names his four greatest NBA players of all time

Jokic has established himself as one of the greatest players of his generation, but which four names does he believe deserve a place on basketball's Mount Rushmore?

The Nuggets star was asked to name the four greatest players in NBA history and explain why each deserved to make his list.

He selected three legends from previous generations in Bill Russell, Michael Jordan and Wilt Chamberlain, before naming Golden State Warriors superstar Steph Curry as his fourth choice.

Explaining his selections, Jokic told SPORTbible: "Probably Bill Russell because of the championship.

"Michael Jordan because he changed the game. Probably Wilt Chamberlain because all the numbers and all the crazy stats. And I'm going to put Steph Curry because he changed the game and he's kind of my generation.

"I play against the guy so he kind of changed the game. So those are the four."

Curry was the only player from Jokic's own generation to make the list, with the Serbian highlighting the impact the Warriors star has had on basketball.

Nikola Jokic reveals his toughest NBA opponents

Having named his four greatest players of all time, Jokic also revealed which opponents have presented him with the biggest challenges during his NBA career.

The Serbian has faced many of basketball's leading stars since joining Denver in 2015, but declined to single out one player when asked who had given him the most problems.

Instead, Jokic named Joel Embiid, Karl-Anthony Towns, Anthony Davis and Victor Wembanyama, highlighting the depth of talent across the league.

He explained: "I mean, I think the league is so talented. It's so good that there is so many, so many players.

"But let's say in my generation, it's Embiid, Towns, Anthony Davis, basically all the big names, Victor right now. So it's a really talented league right now. Yeah."

Nikola Jokic opens up on new Sprite partnership

Jokic's comments come as the Denver Nuggets star has been unveiled as a new ambassador for Sprite, joining a brand with a long-standing association with basketball and popular culture.

The Serbian explained that the opportunity appealed to him because of Sprite's history in the sport and the chance to take on something new.

Asked what it meant to become part of the brand's roster of ambassadors, Jokic told SPORTbible: "Yeah, I mean, just because it was Sprite and has in the game for so long and probably before I was born. And when I got the call, I was like, yeah, this sounds fun. And this is something that is new. And why not? I think it's a great for sport."

Sprite celebrates individuality and being unapologetically yourself, a message that reflects Jokic's approach to life despite becoming one of the biggest names in world basketball.

The three-time MVP was also asked how important it has been to remain true to himself as his profile has grown.

He added: "I think that just like try to be yourself and try to stay on your course and try to do it your way is the most important thing, you know, so I'm proud of it. And hopefully, I can keep doing what I've been doing."