Alperen Sengun and Nicholas Jokic share a unique bond.

Vladimir Jokic and Alperen Sengun don’t play for the same team, but they seem close. Sengun and Jokic play a certain way that makes them known as “baby Jokic.” The virtual mentorship Jokic has over Sengun adds to the intrigue of their friendship.

In a recent installment of Podcast P, Alperen Sengun delved into the dynamics of his friendship with Nikola Jokic, shedding light on the Serbian player’s distinctive approach to both basketball and life.

Sengun highlighted Jokic’s low-key presence on social media, emphasizing his priorities: “You know, Jokic isn’t into social media. He cares about basketball and his family.” Describing Jokic as a genuinely amiable person from Europe, Sengun also touched upon the close-knit relationships among players in Europe’s major leagues and teams.

One notable aspect of their friendship is Jokic’s consistent encouragement. Sengun revealed, “But he’s a nice guy from Europe. Everyone in Europe’s big leagues and other teams is so close to each other.” He expressed gratitude for Jokic’s positive reinforcement, recalling the Serbian star frequently saying, “Good job, great job, keep it up.” Sengun values this support, acknowledging the impact it has on his confidence and performance. Despite not consciously emulating Jokic’s playing style, Sengun acknowledged the existence of uncanny similarities in their approaches to the game.

Recognizing Jokic’s extraordinary achievements, Sengun marveled at how the Serbian player has accomplished milestones typically associated with NBA veterans many years into their retirement—all this by the age of 30. Jokic’s playing style has evolved into a guiding inspiration for Sengun, who regards him as the optimal role model to shape and refine his own game.

Sengun, a 21-year-old who shoots 57/32/64, averages 20.2 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game. Jokic averaged 16.7 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game when he was 21 years old. 58.3% of his 83 shots were made by him. Although Jokic is a better free throw shooter, their scores are nearly identical.

Alperen Sengun has an excellent coach to lead him, and even though it will take time to see if he becomes the MVP that Jokic is, he is definitely headed in the right direction.