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| draft_pick = 3
| draft_pick = 3
| draft_team = [[Atlanta Hawks]]
| draft_team = [[Atlanta Hawks]]
| years1 = 2015–18
| years1 = 2015–2018
| team1 = [[Real Madrid Baloncesto|Real Madrid]]
| team1 = [[Real Madrid Baloncesto|Real Madrid]]
| years2 = 2018–present
| years2 = 2018–present
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In the [[2017–18 EuroLeague|2017–18 season]], Dončić assumed a leading role for Real Madrid, replacing its injured star player [[Sergio Llull]] for much of the season. Guiding his team to the [[2018 EuroLeague Final Four|2018 EuroLeague title]] at age 19, he became the youngest recipient of the [[EuroLeague MVP]] and [[EuroLeague Final Four MVP]] awards. He was also the youngest player to ever be named [[ACB Most Valuable Player Award|ACB Most Valuable Player]]. In addition, Dončić earned EuroLeague Rising Star and ACB Best Young Player accolades for his second straight season.
In the [[2017–18 EuroLeague|2017–18 season]], Dončić assumed a leading role for Real Madrid, replacing its injured star player [[Sergio Llull]] for much of the season. Guiding his team to the [[2018 EuroLeague Final Four|2018 EuroLeague title]] at age 19, he became the youngest recipient of the [[EuroLeague MVP]] and [[EuroLeague Final Four MVP]] awards. He was also the youngest player to ever be named [[ACB Most Valuable Player Award|ACB Most Valuable Player]]. In addition, Dončić earned EuroLeague Rising Star and ACB Best Young Player accolades for his second straight season.


Dončić was projected to be a top-three selection, and a contender for the [[List of first overall NBA draft picks|first overall pick]], in the [[2018 NBA draft|NBA Draft]] on June 21, 2018.<ref>{{cite news|title=Consensus Mock Draft: Will Suns go with Deandre Ayton or Luka Doncic at No. 1?|url=http://www.nba.com/news/2018-consensus-mock-draft|accessdate=27 May 2018|work=NBA.com|date=23 May 2018|language=en}}</ref> He ended up being selected third overall by the [[Atlanta Hawks]], and was then traded immediately to the Mavericks in exchange for the rights to Trae Young and a 2019 first round draft pick.<ref name="Eurohopes">[http://www.eurohopes.com/player/1908/luka-doncic/ Luka Dončić] at Eurohopes</ref>
Dončić was projected to be a top-three selection, and a contender for the [[List of first overall NBA draft picks|first overall pick]], in the [[2018 NBA draft|NBA Draft]] on June 21, 2018.<ref>{{cite news|title=Consensus Mock Draft: Will Suns go with Deandre Ayton or Luka Doncic at No. 1?|url=http://www.nba.com/news/2018-consensus-mock-draft|accessdate=27 May 2018|work=NBA.com|date=23 May 2018|language=en}}</ref> He ended up being selected third overall by the [[Atlanta Hawks]], and was then traded immediately to the Mavericks.


==Early life==
==Early life==
Line 69: Line 69:


==Professional career==
==Professional career==
===Real Madrid (2015–present)===
===Real Madrid (2015–2018)===
====Early years====
====Early years====
[[File:Lukadoncic.jpg|thumb|Dončić in a timeout in April 2015.]]
[[File:Lukadoncic.jpg|thumb|Dončić in a timeout in April 2015.]]
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====2017–18 season====
====2017–18 season====
During the month of October, Dončić was named the [[EuroLeague MVP of the Month]] for the performances he put up that month, most notably in Rounds 3 and 4, where he won back-to-back [[EuroLeague MVP of the Round]] honors, with leading [[Performance Index Rating|PIR]] scores in wins over [[Pallacanestro Olimpia Milano|AX Armani Exchange Olimpia Milan]] and [[BC Žalgiris|Žalgiris Kaunas]], respectively. On December 8, 2017, Dončić recorded a career-high 33 points, in Real Madrid's [[EuroLeague]] game against [[Olympiacos B.C.|Olympiacos Piraeus]], with Real Madrid losing 92–83 in overtime, that night. On 1 January 2018, the Spanish Liga ACB named Dončić their [[ACB Player of the Month|Player of the Month]], of December 2017, thus making Dončić the youngest player to win the award, at an age of 18 years and 10 months old.<ref>{{cite news|title=Luka Doncic, MVP Movistar de Diciembre|url=http://www.acb.com/redaccion.php?id=137417|accessdate=1 January 2018|work=www.acb.com|date=1 January 2018|language=Spanish}}</ref> On 30 March 2018, a day after Dončić hit a game-winning buzzer-beating three-pointer in an 82–79 win over [[KK Crvena zvezda|Crvena zvezda Belgrade]], his mother confirmed that he would declare for the [[2018 NBA draft]], but that he might not be at the event himself, due to the Spanish [[Liga ACB]]'s playoffs coinciding with the event.<ref>[https://clutchpoints.com/nba-draft-news-luka-doncic-mother-says-son-declare NBALuka Doncic’s mother says her son will declare for NBA Draft.]</ref> In any case, he was one of 11 truly international prospects to enter the [[NBA Draft]] that year, and he stated that he would wait until after the EuroLeague and Liga ACB competitions were completed before deciding on his future.
During the month of October, Dončić was named the [[EuroLeague MVP of the Month]] for the performances he put up that month, most notably in Rounds 3 and 4, where he won back-to-back [[EuroLeague MVP of the Round]] honors, with leading [[Performance Index Rating|PIR]] scores in wins over [[Pallacanestro Olimpia Milano|AX Armani Exchange Olimpia Milan]] and [[BC Žalgiris|Žalgiris Kaunas]], respectively. On December 8, 2017, Dončić recorded a career-high 33 points, in Real Madrid's [[EuroLeague]] game against [[Olympiacos B.C.|Olympiacos Piraeus]], with Real Madrid losing 92–83 in overtime, that night. On 1 January 2018, the Spanish Liga ACB named Dončić their [[ACB Player of the Month|Player of the Month]], of December 2017, thus making Dončić the youngest player to win the award, at an age of 18 years and 10 months old.<ref>{{cite news|title=Luka Doncic, MVP Movistar de Diciembre|url=http://www.acb.com/redaccion.php?id=137417|accessdate=1 January 2018|work=www.acb.com|date=1 January 2018|language=Spanish}}</ref> On 30 March 2018, a day after Dončić hit a game-winning buzzer-beating three-pointer in an 82–79 win over [[KK Crvena zvezda|Crvena zvezda Belgrade]], his mother confirmed that he would declare for the [[2018 NBA draft]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Manrique |first1=Bruno |title=Luka Doncic’s mother says her son will declare for NBA Draft |url=https://clutchpoints.com/nba-draft-news-luka-doncic-mother-says-son-declare/ |publisher=ClutchPoints |accessdate=June 25, 2018 |date=March 30, 2018}}</ref>


On 8 May 2018, Dončić repeated as the winner of the [[EuroLeague Rising Star]] award, joining [[Nikola Mirotić]] and [[Bogdan Bogdanović (basketball)|Bogdan Bogdanović]] as the only repeat winners of the award.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.euroleague.net/news/i/8q3k4gyd7iac7dnc/2017-18-turkish-airlines-euroleague-rising-star-luka-doncic-real-madrid|title=2017-18 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Rising Star: Luka Doncic, Real Madrid|work=Euroleague.net|accessdate=8 May 2018}}</ref> A day later, he recorded his first [[triple-double]] in the [[Liga ACB]], with 17 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assist against [[CB Sevilla|Real Betis Energía Plus]], in 22 minutes of playing time. With that achievement, he became the youngest player to record a triple-double in the competition.<ref name="TripleDoubleACB">{{cite news|last1=Stroggylakis|first1=Antonis|title=Luka Doncic notches first career triple-double|url=https://www.eurohoops.net/en/acb/672135/luka-doncic-notches-first-career-triple-double/|work=Eurohoops|date=9 May 2018}}</ref> The next day, he was named a member of the [[All-EuroLeague Team|All-EuroLeague First Team]], being the youngest player in league history to earn such an honor. On May 18, Dončić recorded 16 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 assists, in a 92–83 over [[PBC CSKA Moscow|CSKA Moscow]] in the EuroLeague Semifinals.<ref>https://www.sbnation.com/nba/2018/5/18/17369976/luka-doncic-stats-euroleague-final-four-pick-draft</ref> Real Madrid would go on to defeat the league's defending champions [[Fenerbahçe Men's Basketball|Fenerbahçe Doğuş]], in [[2018 EuroLeague Final Four|the finals game]], by a score of 85-80, thus winning the championship and 10th EuroLeague title in the club's history.<ref name="EuroLeague18Champ">{{cite news|title=Real Madrid is 2018 EuroLeague champion|url=http://www.euroleague.net/main/results/showgame?gamecode=260&seasoncode=E2017#!report|accessdate=20 May 2018|work=euroleague.net|date=20 May 2018}}</ref> Dončić was named the [[EuroLeague Final Four MVP]], after recording 15 points, 3 rebounds, and 4 assists, to go alongside his stats recorded against CSKA Moscow.<ref name="EuroLeagueMVPF4">{{cite news|title=Doncic chosen Final Four MVP|url=http://www.euroleague.net/final-four/belgrade-2018/news/i/8r3oqram9e8uuqvt/doncic-chosen-final-four-mvp|accessdate=20 May 2018|work=euroleague.net|date=20 May 2018}}</ref> Over 33 EuroLeague games, Dončić averaged career-highs of 16 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game. He was also named the 2018 [[EuroLeague MVP]] (and also recorded the highest [[Performance Index Rating|PIR]] of the entire season), thus being the youngest winner of the award in the process.<ref name="EuroLeague2018MVP">{{cite news|title=2017-18 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague MVP: Luka Doncic, Real Madrid|url=http://www.euroleague.net/news/i/8qwovagussoccaq6|work=[[EuroLeague]]|date=19 May 2018}}</ref>
On 8 May 2018, Dončić repeated as the winner of the [[EuroLeague Rising Star]] award, joining [[Nikola Mirotić]] and [[Bogdan Bogdanović (basketball)|Bogdan Bogdanović]] as the only repeat winners of the award.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.euroleague.net/news/i/8q3k4gyd7iac7dnc/2017-18-turkish-airlines-euroleague-rising-star-luka-doncic-real-madrid|title=2017-18 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Rising Star: Luka Doncic, Real Madrid|work=Euroleague.net|accessdate=8 May 2018}}</ref> A day later, he recorded his first [[triple-double]] in the [[Liga ACB]], with 17 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assist against [[CB Sevilla|Real Betis Energía Plus]], in 22 minutes of playing time. With that achievement, he became the youngest player to record a triple-double in the competition.<ref name="TripleDoubleACB">{{cite news|last1=Stroggylakis|first1=Antonis|title=Luka Doncic notches first career triple-double|url=https://www.eurohoops.net/en/acb/672135/luka-doncic-notches-first-career-triple-double/|work=Eurohoops|date=9 May 2018}}</ref> The next day, he garnered [[All-EuroLeague Team|All-EuroLeague First Team]] honors, being the youngest player in league history to do so. On May 18, Dončić recorded 16 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 assists, in a 92–83 over [[PBC CSKA Moscow|CSKA Moscow]] in the EuroLeague Semifinals.<ref>https://www.sbnation.com/nba/2018/5/18/17369976/luka-doncic-stats-euroleague-final-four-pick-draft</ref> Real Madrid defeated defending champions [[Fenerbahçe Men's Basketball|Fenerbahçe Doğuş]] in [[2018 EuroLeague Final Four|the finals game]], by a score of 85–80, winning the 10th EuroLeague title in club history.<ref name="EuroLeague18Champ">{{cite news|title=Real Madrid is 2018 EuroLeague champion|url=http://www.euroleague.net/main/results/showgame?gamecode=260&seasoncode=E2017#!report|accessdate=20 May 2018|work=euroleague.net|date=20 May 2018}}</ref> Dončić was named the [[EuroLeague Final Four MVP]], after recording 15 points, 3 rebounds, and 4 assists, to go alongside his stats recorded against CSKA Moscow.<ref name="EuroLeagueMVPF4">{{cite news|title=Doncic chosen Final Four MVP|url=http://www.euroleague.net/final-four/belgrade-2018/news/i/8r3oqram9e8uuqvt/doncic-chosen-final-four-mvp|accessdate=20 May 2018|work=euroleague.net|date=20 May 2018}}</ref> Over 33 EuroLeague games, Dončić averaged career-highs of 16 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game. He was also named the 2018 [[EuroLeague MVP]] (and also recorded the highest [[Performance Index Rating|PIR]] of the entire season), thus being the youngest winner of the award in the process.<ref name="EuroLeague2018MVP">{{cite news|title=2017-18 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague MVP: Luka Doncic, Real Madrid|url=http://www.euroleague.net/news/i/8qwovagussoccaq6|work=[[EuroLeague]]|date=19 May 2018}}</ref>


On 22 May 2018, he was named a member of the [[All-Liga ACB Team]]. A day later, Dončić was given the [[ACB Best Young Player Award]] once again, for being the best player in the league under the age of 22. He also earned his third straight appearance on the All-ACB Best Young Players Team. The next day, he was named the Liga ACB's [[ACB Most Valuable Player Award|MVP]] of the [[2017–18 ACB season|season]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Luka Doncic, MVP Movistar de la Liga Endesa 2017-18|url=http://www.acb.com/redaccion.php?id=140829|accessdate=26 May 2018|work=ACB.com|date=24 May 2018|language=Spanish}}</ref> Dončić would then help Real Madrid to win their third Spanish Liga ACB championship in four years (the club's 34th national league championship overall), as they won their series 3-1 against [[Saski Baskonia|Kirolbet Baskonia]]. Following the series win over Kirolbet Baskonia, Dončić would wind up accepting a late invitation to attend the [[2018 NBA Draft]] in person.<ref>{{cite web |title=NBA Announces 2018 NBA Draft Green Room Participants |url=https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/250225/NBA-Announces-2018-NBA-Draft-Green-Room-Participants |website=RealGM |date=18 June 2018}}</ref>
On 22 May 2018, he was named a member of the [[All-Liga ACB Team]]. A day later, Dončić was given the [[ACB Best Young Player Award]] once again, for being the best player in the league under the age of 22. He also earned his third straight appearance on the All-ACB Best Young Players Team. The next day, he was named the Liga ACB's [[ACB Most Valuable Player Award|MVP]] of the [[2017–18 ACB season|season]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Luka Doncic, MVP Movistar de la Liga Endesa 2017-18|url=http://www.acb.com/redaccion.php?id=140829|accessdate=26 May 2018|work=ACB.com|date=24 May 2018|language=Spanish}}</ref> Dončić helped Real Madrid win their third ACB championship in four years, defeating [[Saski Baskonia|Kirolbet Baskonia]]. Following the vicory, Dončić accepted a late invitation to attend the [[2018 NBA Draft]] in person.<ref>{{cite web |title=NBA Announces 2018 NBA Draft Green Room Participants |url=https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/250225/NBA-Announces-2018-NBA-Draft-Green-Room-Participants |website=RealGM |date=18 June 2018}}</ref>


===Dallas Mavericks===
===Dallas Mavericks (2018–present)===
On June 21, 2018, Dončić was selected with the third overall pick by the [[Atlanta Hawks]] in the [[2018 NBA draft]]. He was then traded to the [[Dallas Mavericks]] in exchange for the draft rights to [[Trae Young]] and a protected future first round pick in 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/23867178/2018-nba-draft-dallas-mavericks-acquire-luke-doncic-send-draft-rights-trae-young-atlanta-hawks|title=Luka Doncic headed to Mavs, Trae Young to Hawks after teams swap picks|date=21 June 2018|access-date=21 June 2018|publisher=ESPN.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mavs.com/mavericks-acquire-draft-rights-to-third-overall-pick-luka-doncic/|title=Mavericks acquire draft rights to third-overall pick Luka Doncic|date=21 June 2018|access-date=21 June 2018|publisher=mavs.com}}</ref>
On June 21, 2018, Dončić was selected with the third overall pick by the [[Atlanta Hawks]] in the [[2018 NBA draft]]. He was then traded to the [[Dallas Mavericks]] in exchange for the draft rights to [[Trae Young]] and a protected future first round pick in 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/23867178/2018-nba-draft-dallas-mavericks-acquire-luke-doncic-send-draft-rights-trae-young-atlanta-hawks|title=Luka Doncic headed to Mavs, Trae Young to Hawks after teams swap picks|date=21 June 2018|access-date=21 June 2018|publisher=ESPN.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mavs.com/mavericks-acquire-draft-rights-to-third-overall-pick-luka-doncic/|title=Mavericks acquire draft rights to third-overall pick Luka Doncic|date=21 June 2018|access-date=21 June 2018|publisher=mavs.com}}</ref> After the draft, Mavericks head coach [[Rick Carlisle]] said, "At one point, we thought there might be a slight chance [Dončić] could fall to us, but a couple of days ago it was pretty clear that there was no way that was going to happen. He’s just too good. We get a guy we think is franchise foundation piece."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Zillgitt |first1=Jeff |title=Mavericks believe European sensation Luka Doncic can be a cornerstone like Dirk Nowitzki |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/2018/06/22/mavericks-luka-doncic-dirk-nowitzki-cornerstone/726564002/ |website=[[USA Today]] |accessdate=June 25, 2018 |date=June 22, 2018}}</ref>


==National team career==
==National team career==

Revision as of 15:22, 25 June 2018

Luka Dončić
Dončić with Real Madrid in 2017
No. 77 – Dallas Mavericks
PositionPoint guard / Shooting guard
LeagueNBA
Personal information
Born (1999-02-28) February 28, 1999 (age 25)
Ljubljana, Slovenia
NationalitySlovenian
Listed height6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
Listed weight228 lb (103 kg)
Career information
NBA draft2018: 1st round, 3rd overall pick
Selected by the Atlanta Hawks
Playing career2015–present
Career history
2015–2018Real Madrid
2018–presentDallas Mavericks
Career highlights and awards
Stats at NBA.com Edit this at Wikidata
Stats at Basketball Reference
Medals
Men's basketball
Representing  Slovenia
EuroBasket
Gold medal – first place 2017 Turkey

Luka Dončić (Slovene: [ˈlùːka ˈdòːntʃitʃ]; born February 28, 1999) is a Slovenian professional basketball player for the Dallas Mavericks. He represents the senior Slovenian national team, which he helped win its first EuroBasket title in 2017. Listed as a 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m), 228-pound (103 kg) guard,[1] Dončić was considered one of the best international prospects of his generation.

A native of Ljubljana, Dončić began his basketball career with the youth teams of Slovenian club Union Olimpija, joining at eight years of age. In 2012, he joined Real Madrid in Spain, eventually rising in profile on the reserve team. At age 16, in the 2014–15 season, Dončić debuted for Real Madrid in both the Liga ACB and EuroLeague, becoming the youngest player in club history to suit up in either competition. He found an increasing presence on the senior team in 2016–17, winning the EuroLeague Rising Star and ACB Best Young Player Award.

In the 2017–18 season, Dončić assumed a leading role for Real Madrid, replacing its injured star player Sergio Llull for much of the season. Guiding his team to the 2018 EuroLeague title at age 19, he became the youngest recipient of the EuroLeague MVP and EuroLeague Final Four MVP awards. He was also the youngest player to ever be named ACB Most Valuable Player. In addition, Dončić earned EuroLeague Rising Star and ACB Best Young Player accolades for his second straight season.

Dončić was projected to be a top-three selection, and a contender for the first overall pick, in the NBA Draft on June 21, 2018.[2] He ended up being selected third overall by the Atlanta Hawks, and was then traded immediately to the Mavericks.

Early life

Dončić was born in Ljubljana, Slovenia, to father Saša Dončić, a basketball coach and former player with experience in the Slovenian League and EuroLeague. His mother Mirjam Poterbin is a former hurdler, model, and dancer, and owner of a prestigious beauty salon in Ljubljana's inner circle.[3][4][5][6][7][8] His father is a Slovenian of Serbian descent, with his family originating from the village of Biča, near Klina.[7][8]

According to his family, Dončić first touched a basketball when he was seven months old, and by age one, he was frequently playing with a miniature hoop that his parents put in his room.[3][9] He played a variety of sports in his childhood, including soccer, which he later quit after growing too tall.[10] At age seven, he began playing organized basketball at primary school in Ljubljana.[9][11] His opponents at the time were up to ten years old, as Dončić reflected: "I was always training and playing with older kids who had much more experience than me. Many of them were bigger and faster than me too, so I had to beat them with my brain."[11] He looked up to Greek professional basketball player Vassilis Spanoulis starting in his early teenage years.[12][13]

Youth career

When Dončić was an eight-year-old, his father started playing for Slovenian club Union Olimpija, and Luka began training in the club's youth sections.[14] He was initially expected to practice with players his age, but only 16 minutes into his first training session, he was moved to the 11-year-old group. Beginning in the following session, he primarily practiced with Olimpija's under-14 team, but due to league rules, he only played for the club's under-12 selection team under head coach Jernej Smolnikar, coming off the bench against opponents three or four years older than him.[9][11] Due to his exclusion from under-14 games at the time, Dončić often requested his parents to practice, even when his coach asked him to stay home.[9]

Dončić is interviewed after a youth game with Real Madrid in May 2014.

Representing Olimpija at the under-14 Vasas Intesa Sanpaolo Cup in Budapest in September 2011, Dončić was named most valuable player (MVP) despite finishing as runners-up to FC Barcelona.[15] In February 2012, he was loaned to Spanish club Real Madrid for the Minicopa Endesa, an under-14 Spanish club competition.[16][17] Dončić, who was among the youngest players on his team, averaged 13.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 3.3 steals per game to win tournament MVP honors, leading Real Madrid to a second-place finish.[17] In April 2012, he took part in the under-13 Lido di Roma Tournament for Olimpija, finishing as MVP and leading scorer with 34.5 points per game. In the semifinal round of the event against Victoria Fermo, he posted 29 points and 15 rebounds, and in a title-clinching win over Lazio, he erupted for 54 points.[18]

In September 2012, at 13 years of age, Dončić signed a five-year contract with the Spanish club Real Madrid, immediately standing out on the under-16 team with coach Paco Redondo.[11][19] He moved to Madrid, living with soccer and basketball prospects, and he had to learn to speak Spanish.[3] In February 2013, Dončić led Real Madrid to a Minicopa Endesa win, averaging 24.5 points, 13 rebounds, 4 assists, and 6 steals per game. In the final game of the tournament, he contributed 25 points, 16 rebounds, and 5 steals to defeat FC Barcelona and win MVP honors.[20] In March, Dončić earned MVP accolades of the under-16 Spain Championship, scoring 25 points in a championship game win over the Gran Canaria youth team.[21]

In the 2014–15 season, Dončić mainly played with Real Madrid's under-18 team and reserve team. With the reserve team, he averaged 13.5 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 3.1 assists, helping them win Group B of the Liga EBA, the amateur fourth-division of Spanish basketball.[22][23] By the end of the season, he earned all-league honorable mention honors from the basketball website Eurobasket.com.[22] In January 2015, Dončić won the under-18 Ciutat de L'Hospitalet Tournament and was selected to the All-Tournament Team, despite being two years younger than the rest of the team.[24] At the event, on January 6, against the youth team of his former club Union Olimpija, he posted a double-double of 13 points, 13 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 steals.[25] In May 2015, he also won the under-18 Next Generation Tournament, for which he was selected MVP after helping defeat defending champions Crvena zvezda Belgrade in the final.[26]

Professional career

Real Madrid (2015–2018)

Early years

Dončić in a timeout in April 2015.

On April 30, 2015, Dončić became the youngest player to debut with Real Madrid in the Liga ACB (the top-tier Spanish League), at the age of 16 years, 61 days. He scored a three-pointer in Real Madrid's 2014–15 season win against Unicaja. In the history of the Liga ACB competition, he is the third-youngest player to make his debut, behind Ricky Rubio (who was 14 years and 11 months of age when he debuted), and Ángel Rebolo (who was 15 years and 3 months of age when he debuted).[27] Dončić also participated in the 2015 ACB Playoffs, and the 2015 FIBA Intercontinental Cup.

In the 2015–16 season, Dončić became a part of the main 12-man roster of Real Madrid in every competition, including the 2015–16 ACB season (being the youngest player of the league),[28] and the EuroLeague 2015–16 season. He made his debut in the European-wide top-tier level, the EuroLeague, on 16 October 2015, at the age of 16, in a road loss against Khimki. Making him the eleventh-youngest player to make their debut in the EuroLeague since the 2000–01 season. Dončić scored 2 points in the game.[29] In week 8 of the Liga ACB, against Bilbao Basket, he set his personal best in the Spanish League in: points scored (15), rebounds (6), assists (4), and PIR (22), also setting the records in scoring and PIR for a player under age 17, in the history of the Liga ACB.[30]

2016–17 season

Dončić warms up with Real Madrid in December 2016.

During the 2016–17 season, Dončić got a place in the rotation of Real Madrid, and was also an occasional starter. Dončić was named player of the week in the Liga ACB, for the first time, in the round 11 of the 2016–17 season, after scoring 23 points and grabbing 11 rebounds, for a PIR of 34,[31] in the win of Real Madrid against Montakit Fuenlabrada, by a score of 92–76. In Round 13 of the 2016–17 EuroLeague, Dončić won his first EuroLeague MVP of the Round award, after scoring 16 points, to go along with 6 rebounds and 5 assists, for a PIR of 25, in a win over Brose Bamberg.[32] After winning three more EuroLeague MVP of the Round awards, Dončić won the EuroLeague Rising Star award, by a unanimous vote.[33] On February 17, 2017, it was announced Dončić had signed with agent Bill Duffy of BDA Sports.[34]

2017–18 season

During the month of October, Dončić was named the EuroLeague MVP of the Month for the performances he put up that month, most notably in Rounds 3 and 4, where he won back-to-back EuroLeague MVP of the Round honors, with leading PIR scores in wins over AX Armani Exchange Olimpia Milan and Žalgiris Kaunas, respectively. On December 8, 2017, Dončić recorded a career-high 33 points, in Real Madrid's EuroLeague game against Olympiacos Piraeus, with Real Madrid losing 92–83 in overtime, that night. On 1 January 2018, the Spanish Liga ACB named Dončić their Player of the Month, of December 2017, thus making Dončić the youngest player to win the award, at an age of 18 years and 10 months old.[35] On 30 March 2018, a day after Dončić hit a game-winning buzzer-beating three-pointer in an 82–79 win over Crvena zvezda Belgrade, his mother confirmed that he would declare for the 2018 NBA draft.[36]

On 8 May 2018, Dončić repeated as the winner of the EuroLeague Rising Star award, joining Nikola Mirotić and Bogdan Bogdanović as the only repeat winners of the award.[37] A day later, he recorded his first triple-double in the Liga ACB, with 17 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assist against Real Betis Energía Plus, in 22 minutes of playing time. With that achievement, he became the youngest player to record a triple-double in the competition.[38] The next day, he garnered All-EuroLeague First Team honors, being the youngest player in league history to do so. On May 18, Dončić recorded 16 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 assists, in a 92–83 over CSKA Moscow in the EuroLeague Semifinals.[39] Real Madrid defeated defending champions Fenerbahçe Doğuş in the finals game, by a score of 85–80, winning the 10th EuroLeague title in club history.[40] Dončić was named the EuroLeague Final Four MVP, after recording 15 points, 3 rebounds, and 4 assists, to go alongside his stats recorded against CSKA Moscow.[41] Over 33 EuroLeague games, Dončić averaged career-highs of 16 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game. He was also named the 2018 EuroLeague MVP (and also recorded the highest PIR of the entire season), thus being the youngest winner of the award in the process.[42]

On 22 May 2018, he was named a member of the All-Liga ACB Team. A day later, Dončić was given the ACB Best Young Player Award once again, for being the best player in the league under the age of 22. He also earned his third straight appearance on the All-ACB Best Young Players Team. The next day, he was named the Liga ACB's MVP of the season.[43] Dončić helped Real Madrid win their third ACB championship in four years, defeating Kirolbet Baskonia. Following the vicory, Dončić accepted a late invitation to attend the 2018 NBA Draft in person.[44]

Dallas Mavericks (2018–present)

On June 21, 2018, Dončić was selected with the third overall pick by the Atlanta Hawks in the 2018 NBA draft. He was then traded to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for the draft rights to Trae Young and a protected future first round pick in 2019.[45][46] After the draft, Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle said, "At one point, we thought there might be a slight chance [Dončić] could fall to us, but a couple of days ago it was pretty clear that there was no way that was going to happen. He’s just too good. We get a guy we think is franchise foundation piece."[47]

National team career

Junior national team

Dončić, during EuroBasket 2017.

Dončić was set to play at the 2014 FIBA Europe Under-16 Championship's second level B tournament, with Slovenia's Under-16 junior national team, but he had to withdraw from the tournament, due to an injury. In December 2014, he played with the Slovenian Under-16 junior team, in a friendly game tournament in Hungary. Dončić averaged 35.3 points and 7.6 rebounds per game, while shooting 81% from two-point field goal range, and 57% on three-pointers.[24]

Senior national team

On September 22, 2016, Dončić announced that he would represent the senior men's Slovenian national team for the rest of his career.[48] He had previously been linked by the sports media with a number of other national teams, including Montenegro, Serbia, and Spain.[49] At the end of July 2017, Dončić debuted with the senior Slovenian national basketball team, in a game against Russia's Under-22 junior national team. In that game, he had 14 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists, in 14 minutes of playing time.

Dončić was a member of the Slovenian squad for EuroBasket 2017, where his country won its first gold medal, after going undefeated (9–0) in the tournament.[50] In Slovenia's quarterfinal 103–97 win over Latvia, he scored 27 points, while also recording 9 rebounds.[51] He recorded 11 points, 12 rebounds and 8 assists, in the 92–72 semi-final win over Spain.[52] In the final, which Slovenia won by a score of 93–85 over Serbia, he had 8 points and 7 rebounds, before falling out of the game, due to an injury, in the game's third quarter.[53] Dončić was also named to the competition's All-Tournament Team, joining teammate Goran Dragić, who was also voted the EuroBasket MVP.[54]

Player profile

Dončić has been described as a "position-less guard" who can play the point guard, shooting guard, and small forward positions.[55] Standing 6 feet 8 inches (2.03 m) and weighing 228 pounds (103.4 kg), he has been praised for his exceptional size and strength for the guard position, which helps him on the defensive end.[56] His basketball IQ, intangibles, and skills have been considered his primary assets, and he is seen as an elite facilitator, especially on the pick and roll.[57] As an NBA draft prospect, his lack of lateral quickness to stay in front most NBA point guards and wings has been labeled as a point of concern.[58][59]

In June 2018, CBS Sports projected him to "immediately be one of the best passers in the NBA."[56] As a scorer, Dončić is capable of making three-pointers and mid-range jump shots, and converting on floaters and shots in the post.[58] Basketball journalist and scout Austin Green compared him to Paul Pierce and Joe Johnson[60], while commentator Fran Fraschilla said that Dončić possesses the skill level and body type of Gordon Hayward and the mind of Manu Ginóbili.[59] Dončić has compared himself to Ben Simmons due to his versatility.[61]

Career statistics

Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field-goal percentage  3P%  3-point field-goal percentage  FT%  Free-throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  PIR  Performance Index Rating
 Bold  Career high
† Denotes season in which Dončić's team won the EuroLeague
Led the league

EuroLeague

[62]

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG PIR
2015–16 Real Madrid 12 0 11.1 .407 .313 .882 2.3 2.0 .2 .3 3.5 6.2
2016–17 Real Madrid 35 15 19.9 .433 .371 .844 4.5 4.2 .9 .2 7.8 13.3
2017–18† Real Madrid 33 17 25.9 .451 .329 .816 4.8 4.3 1.1 .3 16.0 21.5
Career 80 32 21.0 .443 .344 .828 4.3 3.9 .9 .3 10.6 15.6

Liga ACB

[63]

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG PIR
2014–15 Real Madrid 5 0 4.8 .333 .333 .750 1.2 .0 .0 .0 1.6 1.8
2015–16 Real Madrid 39 0 12.9 .526 .392 .708 2.6 1.7 .4 .3 4.5 5.9
2016–17 Real Madrid 42 11 19.8 .441 .295 .785 4.4 3.0 .6 .3 7.5 11.9
2017–18 Real Madrid 37 21 24.3 .462 .293 .752 5.7 4.7 1.1 .4 12.5 18.4
Career 123 32 18.3 .463 .310 .754 4.1 3.0 .7 .3 7.8 11.6

Trophies and awards

Dončić (left) with teammate Sergio Llull (middle) and Madrid regional premier Cristina Cifuentes (right) in 2017.

Youth levels

Real Madrid

  • 2013 Under–14 Ciutat de l’Hospitalet Tournament: Champion
  • 2013 Under–14 Minicopa ACB of Vitoria-Gasteiz: Winner
  • 2013 Under–14 Spain Championship: Champion
  • 2014 Under–18 Madrid Junior Championship: Champion
  • 2015 Under–18 Madrid Junior Championship: Champion
  • 2015 Under–18 Ciutat De L'Hospitalet Tournament (ANGT): Champion
  • 2015 Under–18 Spain Championship: Champion
  • 2015 Under–18 Euroleague Basketball Next Generation Tournament: Champion

Individual awards

  • 2012 U–13 Lido di Roma Tournament with Olimpija Ljubljana: MVP
  • 2013 U–14 Ciutat de l’Hospitalet Tournament: MVP
  • 2013 U–14 Minicopa ACB of Vitoria-Gasteiz: MVP
  • 2013 U–16 Budapest International Tournament: MVP
  • 2013 U–16 Villa de la Laguna Tournament: MVP[64]
  • 2013 U–16 EA7 Emporio Armani Tournament: MVP
  • 2014 U–16 Spain Championship: MVP[65]
  • 2015 U–18 Ciutat De L'Hospitalet Tournament (ANGT): All-Tournament Team
  • 2015 U-18 Madrid Junior Championship: MVP
  • 2015 U–18 Spain Championship: MVP
  • 2015 U–18 Euroleague Basketball Next Generation Tournament: MVP

Senior level

Real Madrid

Slovenian national team

Individual awards

Personal life

Dončić's parents filed for divorce in 2008, with custody and legal guardianship being granted to his mother.[4][6][5] His godfather is former NBA player Radoslav Nesterović.[9] Dončić is a fan of the Crvena zvezda basketball club.[66][67]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Doncic". Real Madrid. Retrieved 25 June 2018.
  2. ^ "Consensus Mock Draft: Will Suns go with Deandre Ayton or Luka Doncic at No. 1?". NBA.com. 23 May 2018. Retrieved 27 May 2018.
  3. ^ a b c Laird, Sam (May 15, 2018). "Luka Doncic is the Best International Prospect Ever". Slam. Retrieved June 5, 2018.
  4. ^ a b Jurij Završnik (25 December 2015). "Španski potni list?" [Spanish passport?] (in Slovenian). Ekipa. Retrieved 2 February 2017.
  5. ^ a b "Nuša Šenk zmešala košarkarja Saša Dončiča" [Nusa Senk captivated basketball player Sasa Doncic] (in Slovenian). lifestyle.enaa.com. 18 September 2008. Retrieved 2 February 2017.
  6. ^ a b Drako Perko (9 January 2015). "Luka Dončić po poti Gorana Dragića in Raša Nesterovića" [Luka Doncic on track towards Goran Dragic and Rasho Nesterovic] (in Slovenian). kosarka.si. Retrieved 2 February 2017.
  7. ^ a b NĐ (10 March 2017). "Dončić: Luka Zvezdaš? Nasledio je to od mene" [Doncic: Luka a fan of Crvena Zvezda? He inherited that from me] (in Serbian). B92. Retrieved 25 October 2017.
  8. ^ a b "Srbski Blic izziva Slovence: Brez Srbov ne bi imeli medalje: Dragić, Dončić, Kokoškov..." [Serbian Blic is taunting Slovenes: Without Serbs you would not have a medal: Dragić, Dončić, Kokoškov...] (in Slovenian). Reporter. 17 September 2017. Retrieved 25 October 2017.
  9. ^ a b c d e Schmitz, Mike (September 18, 2017). "There's never been an NBA draft prospect like Luka Doncic". ESPN.com. Retrieved September 18, 2017. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  10. ^ Aravantinos, Dionysis (January 25, 2018). "Luka Doncic through his mother's eyes!". EuroHoops. Retrieved June 6, 2018.
  11. ^ a b c d West, Andy (October 11, 2017). "Conversation with Luka Doncic: 'I was born to play basketball'". EuroLeague. Retrieved April 21, 2018.
  12. ^ Doncic: “I got enchanted by Spanoulis”.
  13. ^ Los orígenes de @luka7doncic. #Minuto0 Template:Es icon.
  14. ^ Davis, Scott (September 19, 2017). "Potential No. 1 NBA draft pick was so good at age 8 that coaches moved him up an age group after watching him play for 16 minutes". Business Insider. Retrieved April 21, 2018.
  15. ^ "Barcelona wins in Hungary; Doncic MVP". EuroHopes. September 27, 2011. Retrieved April 21, 2018.
  16. ^ Duque, Nacho (February 8, 2013). "Luka Doncic, la perla que hace soñar al Madrid". Marca (in Spanish). Retrieved April 21, 2018.
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  20. ^ Duque, Nacho (February 11, 2013). "Doncic, el prodigio de 13 años del Madrid: "Cuando juego siento lo mismo que cuando sueño"". Marca. Retrieved June 9, 2018.
  21. ^ Novillo, Esteban (March 28, 2013). "La estrellas que vienen del baloncesto español se presentan al mundo". Marca (in Spanish). Retrieved June 9, 2018.
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  23. ^ "Real Madrid II". Eurobasket.com. Retrieved June 3, 2018.
  24. ^ a b "Slovenian Luka Doncic already a big name at just 16". FIBA. 23 April 2015.
  25. ^ "Jan 6, 2015: Union Olimpija Junior Team vs. Real Madrid Junior Team". RealGM. Retrieved June 4, 2018.
  26. ^ "Real Madrid's young star Doncic named ANGT MVP". AdidasNGT.
  27. ^ "Doncic, youngest player to make debut for Real Madrid". Real Madrid.
  28. ^ "Doncic, youngest player in the league". El Mundo.
  29. ^ 2015-16 Regular Season Round 1 KHIMKI MOSCOW REGION 84 REAL MADRID 70 OCTOBER 16, 2015.
  30. ^ "Doncic shined". Eurohoops.
  31. ^ "Luka Doncic, Jugador de la Jornada 11" (in Spanish). ACB.com. 4 December 2016. Retrieved 5 December 2016.
  32. ^ "Round 13 Co-MVPs: Luka Doncic and Mike James". EuroLeague. 22 December 2016.
  33. ^ "Rising Star Trophy: Madrid's Doncic is unanimous winner". Euroleague.net. 10 May 2017. Retrieved 10 May 2017.
  34. ^ https://twitter.com/thesteinline/status/832654903994568706
  35. ^ "Luka Doncic, MVP Movistar de Diciembre". www.acb.com (in Spanish). 1 January 2018. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  36. ^ Manrique, Bruno (March 30, 2018). "Luka Doncic's mother says her son will declare for NBA Draft". ClutchPoints. Retrieved June 25, 2018.
  37. ^ "2017-18 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Rising Star: Luka Doncic, Real Madrid". Euroleague.net. Retrieved 8 May 2018.
  38. ^ Stroggylakis, Antonis (9 May 2018). "Luka Doncic notches first career triple-double". Eurohoops.
  39. ^ https://www.sbnation.com/nba/2018/5/18/17369976/luka-doncic-stats-euroleague-final-four-pick-draft
  40. ^ "Real Madrid is 2018 EuroLeague champion". euroleague.net. 20 May 2018. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
  41. ^ "Doncic chosen Final Four MVP". euroleague.net. 20 May 2018. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
  42. ^ "2017-18 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague MVP: Luka Doncic, Real Madrid". EuroLeague. 19 May 2018.
  43. ^ "Luka Doncic, MVP Movistar de la Liga Endesa 2017-18". ACB.com (in Spanish). 24 May 2018. Retrieved 26 May 2018.
  44. ^ "NBA Announces 2018 NBA Draft Green Room Participants". RealGM. 18 June 2018.
  45. ^ "Luka Doncic headed to Mavs, Trae Young to Hawks after teams swap picks". ESPN.com. 21 June 2018. Retrieved 21 June 2018.
  46. ^ "Mavericks acquire draft rights to third-overall pick Luka Doncic". mavs.com. 21 June 2018. Retrieved 21 June 2018.
  47. ^ Zillgitt, Jeff (June 22, 2018). "Mavericks believe European sensation Luka Doncic can be a cornerstone like Dirk Nowitzki". USA Today. Retrieved June 25, 2018.
  48. ^ "LUKA DONČIĆ: "Hvala Španiji, Slovenija je moja izbira!"". kosarka.si (in Slovenian). 22 September 2016. Retrieved 22 September 2016.
  49. ^ T. J. (30 January 2017). "Dončić: Na evropskem prvenstvu gremo po medaljo" [Doncic: At the Eurobasket we are aiming for a medal] (in Slovenian). RTV Slovenija. Retrieved 2 February 2017.
  50. ^ "Slovenia overcome injuries to claim historic title in Dragic's swansong". FIBA.basketball. 2017-09-17. Retrieved 2017-09-19.
  51. ^ "Slovenia v Latvia". FIBA.basketball. 2017-09-12.
  52. ^ "Spain v Slovenia". FIBA.basketball. 2017-09-14.
  53. ^ "Slovenia v Serbia". FIBA.basketball. 2017-09-19.
  54. ^ "Title hero Dragic caps off fairy tale finish with MVP honors". FIBA.basketball. 2017-09-17.
  55. ^ Ramirez, Jordan (May 26, 2018). "Get to Know: Luka Doncic". NBA. Retrieved June 10, 2018.
  56. ^ a b Green, Austin (June 5, 2018). "What you need to know about Luka Doncic, the most polished European teen prospect ever". CBS Sports. Retrieved June 10, 2018.
  57. ^ Wasserman, Jonathan (September 14, 2017). "NBA Exec Says Luka Doncic 'Leap Years Above Anyone' After EuroBasket Brilliance". Bleacher Report. Retrieved June 10, 2018.
  58. ^ a b "Will Luka Doncic Take The NBA By Storm?". NBA. June 6, 2018. Retrieved June 10, 2018.
  59. ^ a b Bondy, Stefan (April 27, 2018). "Why one college basketball analyst warns not to overhype Luka Doncic". New York Daily News. Retrieved June 10, 2018.
  60. ^ http://www.nba.com/hawks/draft-profile-luka-doncic
  61. ^ Kimes, Mina (April 9, 2018). "Luka Doncic Is No Darko Milicic". ESPN. Retrieved June 10, 2018.
  62. ^ DONCIC, LUKA Stats.
  63. ^ Historial estadístico Doncic, Luka Template:Es icon.
  64. ^ acb.com Luka Doncic sigue deslumbrando
  65. ^ solobasket.com CE Cadete 2014
  66. ^ B. O. (13 April 2017). "Pozdrav iz Madrida: Zvezdi na tituli čestitali i košarkaši Reala" [Greetings from Madrid: Zvezda congratulated for the title by Real basketball players] (in Serbian). lifestyle.enaa.com. Retrieved 14 April 2017.
  67. ^ "Igra za Real, voli Zvezdu!". mondo.rs (in Serbian). 26 November 2015. Retrieved 26 October 2017.
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