If Novak Djokovic played basketball: small forward, rated 84

Novak Djokovic as a basketball player: scouting report

Novak Djokovic has won more Grand Slam singles titles than any other man, and he did it largely on the strength of his defense. Few players in any sport have turned retrieving the ball into a weapon the way he has, sliding into the splits on hard courts to reach shots that should have been winners. That makes him a natural small forward and a born stopper. His basketball IQ is the top mark on his card and his defense is next.

His return of serve is widely considered among the best the game has seen, and that skill maps straight onto closeouts: he reads the shooter's motion, gets there early and still keeps his balance. His athleticism and rebounding both grade out well, and his passing is better than most wings can offer. He has spent more weeks ranked world number one than any other player, a reminder of how rarely he takes a night off, and he finally added Olympic gold in Paris in 2024. A coach could hand him the other team's best scorer every night and stop worrying.

Shooting is the lowest mark on his card, although it is still respectable. He is a reliable spot up threat rather than a pure scorer, so he should be paired with a lead guard who creates shots and a stretch big who keeps the floor open. Power forward is nearly as good a fit as small forward, and shooting guard works too, which makes him one of the most flexible players in the draft. Take him early; a defender this complete is hard to find in the later rounds.

Plays like A lockdown defensive forward who can guard four positions

Put Novak Djokovic in your lineup

8 rolls, a starting five and a bench, 82 games. Can you go 82-0? Free, no account.