Nikola Jokic is auditioning for the next James Bond villain, according to his new goatee

Nikola Jokic is ready to take over the world at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Oh, wait, sorry. You must mean I’m thinking about his play for Team Serbia as it tries to earn a medal in men’s basketball. Dearest readers, I am not. The reigning MVP’s new facial hair suggests that he is ready to give James Bond a navel-gazing, way-too-long monologue about his plans for actual global domination.

In an Instagram post shared by Air Serbia, Jokic is shown smiling with a flight attendant while boasting his absurd new goatee attached to a growing beard. While yes, the goatee sort of gives the 29-year-old Denver Nuggets superstar some character, it’s also hard not to think of him as a Bond villain any time you see him now:

I’m just imagining the seven-foot Jokic slowly stroking his goatee and cackling as a desperate James Bond tries to escape from a pit of hungry sharks. Try to tell me he wouldn’t be perfect for the role.

Hollywood, take notes. A Serbian basketball player just gave you his best material.