Luka Doncic

Born on February 28, 1999, in Ljubljana, Slovenia, Luka Doncic developed an early passion for basketball, reportedly handling a ball at seven months old and playing with a miniature hoop by age one. At age seven, he began formal basketball training, often competing against older children. His early talent was evident when he moved to the 11-year-old group after just 16 minutes of his first training session at Union Olimpija. At age eight, his father, Saša Doncic, a former player and coach, brought Luka to Union Olimpija. He quickly advanced, regularly practicing with the club’s under-14 team despite league rules limiting him to the under-12 team. Doncic continued to impress, earning MVP honors at the under-14 Vasas Intesa Sanpaolo Cup in Budapest in 2011 and later at the Minicopa Endesa in 2012 while on loan to Real Madrid. In April 2012, at the under-13 Lido di Roma Tournament, he was named MVP and leading scorer, notably putting up 54 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists in one game.

At 13, in September 2012, Doncic signed a five-year contract with Real Madrid, joining their youth academy. He excelled through their system, leading Real Madrid’s under-14 team to a Minicopa Endesa victory in 2013, again winning MVP. By the 2014–15 season, he played mostly with Real Madrid’s under-18 and reserve teams, helping the reserve team win Group B of the Liga EBA, Spain’s fourth division. He earned an all-league honorable mention and won MVP of the under-18 Next Generation Tournament in May 2015. On April 30, 2015, at 16 years old, Doncic made his professional debut with Real Madrid in the Liga ACB, becoming the youngest player in club history to do so. He steadily integrated into the senior team, making his EuroLeague debut in October 2015.

By the 2016–17 season, Doncic became a regular, earning multiple EuroLeague MVP of the Round honors and becoming the youngest player to achieve this. He was named EuroLeague Rising Star and ACB Best Young Player. The 2017–18 season marked his MVP season with Real Madrid, leading them to the 2018 EuroLeague title, winning EuroLeague MVP and EuroLeague Final Four MVP. He was also named ACB Most Valuable Player. In the 2018 NBA draft, he was selected third overall by the Atlanta Hawks and immediately traded to the Dallas Mavericks. He secured the NBA Rookie of the Year award in 2019 and has since made five NBA All-Star appearances and earned five All-NBA First Team selections. Notable achievements include leading the NBA in scoring in the 2023–24 season and leading the Mavericks to their third NBA Finals appearance. In February 2025, Doncic was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers in a prominent mid-season trade, a move considered one of the most significant in American sports history, where he continues to perform at an elite level.