Luka Doncic now electrifying competition after EuroBasket experience

Jul 29, 2021; Saitama, Japan; Slovenia player Luka Doncic (77) dribbles while playing Japan during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games at Saitama Super Arena. Yukihito Taguchi-USA TODAY Sports

Once a budding teen at EuroBasket, Luka Doncic now electrifying competition

By Dan Treacy | Last updated 9/8/22

When Slovenia won gold at EuroBasket 2017, Luka Doncic was an 18-year-old just beginning to position himself as a top NBA Draft prospect.

Though he struggled with efficiency, he put up respectable numbers as a teenager playing alongside and going up against Europe's best. Five years later, Doncic is the highlight of the tournament.

The Mavericks star is leading Slovenia in points, rebounds and assists, averaging 26.6 points, 7.6 rebounds and 6.8 assists per game through the end of group play. Doncic is shooting 53.8 percent from the field, a huge step up from his 40.6 percent mark in 2017.

He's turned up the heat in his last two games, following up a 36-point, 10-rebound performance against Germany with a 47-point explosion against France on Wednesday. Doncic's 47 points were the second-highest total in the history of the EuroBasket tournament.

Wonder why Luka Doncic chooses to spend his NBA offseasons playing hard for Slovenia — stitches in his head, balky wrist, gimpy fingers and all?

This moment sums it up pretty well. pic.twitter.com/2otV0qkDfv
— Callie Caplan (@CallieCaplan) September 7, 2022

Most importantly, Doncic has Slovenia in position to compete for a second consecutive gold medal.

In 2017, it was Goran Dragic who led the way for the Slovenians. Dragic averaged 22.6 points per game, including 35 points in the gold medal game. This time, the roles are reversed. Dragic is averaging 15.2 points per game and still playing heavy minutes, but Slovenia will go as far as Doncic takes them.

Slovenia will face Belgium in the Round of 16 on Saturday.

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