Future NBA star drops brutally honest Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic admission

As the 2026 NBA Draft approaches on June 23 and 24 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, North Carolina forward Caleb Wilson offered a candid explanation for why Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic has long been his favorite player.

During a recent interview with Chase Hughes of Monumental Sports Network, Wilson reflected on Jokic’s influence and revealed that he connected with the three-time NBA MVP long before the Serbian center became one of the league’s biggest stars.

“I really like [Nikola] Jokic, he’s my favorite player. Even before he was MVP. I really liked how he played. I really wasn’t that athletic when I was younger, believe it or not, so to just see him as a halfcourt hub and not be that athletic was really cool for me.”

The admission highlights the impact Jokic has had on a new generation of players. Unlike many NBA superstars who rely primarily on elite athleticism, Jokic has built his reputation through skill, vision, basketball IQ and playmaking. His unique style has transformed the center position and helped establish him as one of the most dominant players of his era.

Projected No. 4 pick Caleb Wilson credits Nikola Jokic for shaping his game

Jokic continued to strengthen that legacy during the 2025-26 season. The 31-year-old delivered another MVP-caliber campaign by averaging a triple-double for the second consecutive year. He posted 27.7 points, 12.9 rebounds, 10.7 assists and 1.4 steals per game while shooting 56.9% from the field and 38% from 3-point range across 65 appearances.

Despite Jokic’s production, Denver’s season ended earlier than expected. The Nuggets were eliminated by the Minnesota Timberwolves in six games during the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.

Meanwhile, Wilson is preparing for the next chapter of his basketball career. The former UNC standout is widely projected to be selected near the top of the draft. ESPN, ClutchPoints and Yahoo Sports all have Wilson projected at No. 4 overall in their latest mock drafts, with the Chicago Bulls frequently identified as a potential landing spot.

If those projections hold, Wilson could soon join the NBA carrying lessons learned from the player he has admired for years.

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