Luka Doncic

Luka Dončić: From Slovenian Prodigy to Lakers Superstar

🧍 Personal Background

• Full Name: Luka Dončić

• Date of Birth: February 28, 1999

• Age: 26 (as of April 2025)

• Birthplace: Ljubljana, Slovenia

• Height: 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)

• Weight: 230 lbs (104 kg)

• Position: Point Guard / Shooting Guard

• Current Team: Los Angeles Lakers (#77)

• Languages Spoken: Slovenian, Serbian, English, Spanish

• Family: Engaged to Anamaria Goltes; daughter Gabriela (born December 2023)

• Social Media: Instagram: @lukadoncic​

Born in Ljubljana, Slovenia, Luka Dončić was immersed in basketball from an early age, guided by his father, Saša Dončić, a former professional player and coach. His mother, Mirjam Poterbin, a former model and dancer, managed his early career, ensuring a supportive environment for his burgeoning talent .​

🏀 Early Career and Rise in Europe

Dončić began his basketball journey with Union Olimpija's youth teams in Slovenia before joining Real Madrid's academy at age 13. He made his professional debut with Real Madrid's senior team at just 16, becoming the youngest in the club's history to do so .​

During the 2017–18 season, Dončić led Real Madrid to the EuroLeague title, earning both the EuroLeague MVP and Final Four MVP honors. He also secured the Liga ACB MVP award, making him the youngest player to achieve these accolades in a single season .​

🇸🇮 International Success with Slovenia

Dončić debuted for the Slovenian national team in 2016 at 17. He played a pivotal role in Slovenia's historic EuroBasket 2017 victory, contributing significantly to their first-ever European championship and earning a spot on the All-Tournament Team .​

🏀 NBA Career: Dallas Mavericks (2018–2025)

Selected third overall in the 2018 NBA Draft by the Atlanta Hawks, Dončić was immediately traded to the Dallas Mavericks. He quickly became a franchise cornerstone, earning the NBA Rookie of the Year award in 2019.​

Over six and a half seasons with Dallas, Dončić averaged 28.6 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 8.2 assists per game, securing five All-NBA First Team selections and leading the league in scoring during the 2023–24 season .​

Despite his individual success, team achievements were limited, with the Mavericks reaching the NBA Finals once during his tenure.​

🔁 Trade to Los Angeles Lakers

On February 2, 2025, Dončić was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a future first-round pick . The trade, initiated by Mavericks GM Nico Harrison and new ownership, sparked significant backlash from fans and analysts, who questioned the decision to part with the team's star player .​

In his debut for the Lakers, Dončić scored 14 points against the Utah Jazz. He quickly adapted to his new team, recording a 45-point, 11-rebound performance against the Milwaukee Bucks and another 45-point game in his return to Dallas, solidifying his role as a key player for the Lakers .​

📊 2024–25 Season Performance

Since joining the Lakers, Dončić has averaged 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.5 assists per game over 28 regular-season games, contributing to the team's 19–13 record during that span . His impact has been instrumental in the Lakers securing the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference playoffs.​

🏆 Career Achievements

• NBA Rookie of the Year: 2018–19

• All-NBA First Team: 2019–20 through 2023–24 (5 consecutive seasons)

• NBA Scoring Leader: 2023–24

• EuroLeague MVP & Final Four MVP: 2017–18

• Liga ACB MVP: 2017–18

• EuroBasket Champion: 2017

• NBA All-Star Selections: 5 times​

👨‍👩‍👧 Personal Life

Off the court, Dončić is engaged to longtime partner Anamaria Goltes. The couple welcomed their first child, Gabriela, in December 2023 . Known for his multilingual abilities, Dončić communicates fluently in Slovenian, Serbian, English, and Spanish, reflecting his international upbringing and career.​

Luka Dončić's journey from a Slovenian prodigy to an NBA superstar exemplifies his exceptional talent, adaptability, and dedication to the game. As he continues to make his mark with the Los Angeles Lakers, fans and analysts alike eagerly anticipate the next chapters in his already illustrious career.