SAN ANTONIO — Neither player donned their usual threads Thursday night, but Victor Wembanyama and Nikola Jokić felt the same rush of excitement facing each other again.A week before France and Serbia are set to enter the second qualification window for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027, they met in Belgrade, Serbia for the first of two friendly matches against each other. Like the last time Wembanyama and Jokić met down the stretch of last season in April, the latter walked away with a close 90-87 victory.Wembanyama made no excuses, but didn't shy away from his lack of basketball action since the San Antonio Spurs were eliminated in Game 5 of the NBA Finals by the New York Knicks.“I feel a bit rusty," the 22-year-old admitted postgame. "We are still trying to get into rhythm and find patterns. We fought until the end, and I’m especially happy because of that."In just 24 minutes, Wembanyama logged 10 points, four rebounds and six turnovers on 3-for-8 shooting from the field as France's third-leading scorer for the evening. Jokić, meanwhile, paced Serbia with 20 points, nine rebounds and eight assists.He wasted no time giving Wembanyama his flowers when asked about the Frenchman.“He is a special opponent," Jokić said in an interview with EuroHoops. "He is unique as a player and as a person. I don’t see him as a rival, and I don’t take this personally. He has the opportunity to be the most unique basketball player we’ve ever seen. To be the best ever."Aug 20, 2026; Belgrade, Serbia; Team Serbia center Nikola Jokić (15) and Team France forward Victor Wembanyama (32) embrace after a friendly match at Belgrade Arena in preparation for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 European Qualifiers. | Photo via @fiba on Instagram.Since Wembanyama's arrival to the NBA in 2023, Jokić has faced him seven times, excluding international competition. Across those outings, the three-time MVP has averaged 37.3 points, 10.9 rebounds and 9.1 assists. Wembanyama has beaten him just twice, averaging 26.4 points, 15.1 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 4.1 blocks and 1.9 steals himself.Whether by virtue of Thursday's friendly meeting, or the lack of a clear rivalry between the two European big men, Wembanyama felt no animosity throughout the contest."I don’t think it was a physical game tonight," he said. "There was a lot of respect from both sides. One situation was maybe a bit more aggressive, but ... there weren’t chippy moments."Wembanyama was named captain of Les Bleus on Wednesday, succeeding fellow NBA big man Rudy Gobert, who held the title during France's earlier summer window. At 22, Wembanyama is now the team's youngest captain since Spurs legend Tony Parker in 2003.Les Bleus coach Frédéric Fauthoux elaborated on his decision following Thursday's match after citing Wembanyama's "exemplary character" and "work ethic" in a press release."It was a decision made by the coach and the staff," Fauthoux said. "I think the future belongs to Victor ... (so) there was no point in waiting. The time was right."Aug 20, 2026; Belgrade, Serbia; Team France forward Victor Wembanyama (32) dunks against Team Serbia during a friendly match at Belgrade Arena in preparation for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 European Qualifiers. | Photo via @fiba on Instagram.As France prepares for its two qualifying matches against Slovenia and Sweden later this month in hopes of securing a spot in next summer's FIBA Basketball World Cup in Qatar, it will continue to work on building chemistry and developing a consistent game plan. Wembanyama, especially, has a few hurdles to jump as he gets back into game shape.“Above all, it’s the ball we are playing with," Wembanyama said. "There are plenty of differences compared to the NBA, but this is one of the biggest."Added Fauthoux: "It's not easy to establish a playing style in such a short period."With that in mind, Wembanyama can look forward to another meeting with Team Serbia back in France before the games start counting. Jokić, who is expected to suit up again, will be waiting for another bout with the most unique opponent he's ever faced.“It was a good test for us against a quality opponent," the Denver Nuggets star said Thursday. "They are an unconventional team, especially with Victor and Rudy. They are dangerous, but we managed to control the game for the most part ... it was a good game for us."Les Bleus and Team Serbia are set to face off again at Orleans' CO'Met Arena on Aug. 23 at 1:30 p.m. Central. United States viewers can stream the game via DAZN's Courtside 1891.Add us as a preferred source on GoogleFollow