Luka Dončić facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Luka Dončić

Dončić with the Dallas Mavericks in 2021
No. 77 – Dallas Mavericks
Point guard / shooting guard
Personal information
Born	(1999-02-28) February 28, 1999 (age 26) Ljubljana, Slovenia
Listed height	6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
Listed weight	230 lb (104 kg)
Career information
NBA Draft	2018 / Round: 1 / Pick: 3rd overall
Selected by the Atlanta Hawks
Pro career	2015–present
League	NBA
Career history
2015–2018	Real Madrid
2018–present	Dallas Mavericks
Career highlights and awards
5× NBA All-Star (2020–2024) 5× All-NBA First Team (2020–2024) NBA Rookie of the Year (2019) NBA All-Rookie First Team (2019) NBA scoring champion (2024) EuroLeague champion (2018) EuroLeague MVP (2018) EuroLeague Final Four MVP (2018) All-EuroLeague First Team (2018) 2× EuroLeague Rising Star (2017, 2018) EuroLeague 2010–20 All-Decade Team (2020) Euroscar Player of the Year (2019) 3× Liga ACB champion (2015, 2016, 2018) Liga ACB MVP (2018) All-Liga ACB First Team (2018) 2× ACB Best Young Player (2017, 2018) 3× ACB All-Young Players Team (2016–2018) 2× Spanish King's Cup winner (2016, 2017) FIBA Intercontinental Cup champion (2015) EB Next Generation Tournament champion (2015) EB Next Generation Tournament MVP (2015) Slovenian Sportsman of the Year (2018)
Medals Men's basketball Representing  Slovenia EuroBasket Gold 2017 Turkey

Luka Dončić (born February 28, 1999) is a professional basketball player from Slovenia. He plays for the Dallas Mavericks in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Many people think he is one of the best European basketball players ever.

Luka was born in Ljubljana, Slovenia. He started playing basketball at a young age. He joined the youth team of Real Madrid in Spain. In 2015, at just 16 years old, he played for Real Madrid's main team. This made him the youngest player in the club's history.

In 2016, he joined the Slovenian national team when he was only 17. He helped Slovenia win its first EuroBasket championship in 2017. Luka also won the EuroLeague MVP award in 2018 while playing for Real Madrid.

In 2018, Luka joined the NBA. The Atlanta Hawks picked him third in the 2018 NBA draft. Then, they traded him to the Dallas Mavericks. In his first year, he won the Rookie of the Year award. Since then, he has been chosen for the NBA All-Star game five times. He also made the All-NBA First Team five times. In the 2023–24 season, he was the NBA's top scorer. He was the first European player to do this. Luka led the Mavericks to the 2024 NBA Finals that season. He holds many records for the Mavericks, including the most triple-doubles.

Luka's Early Life and Love for Basketball

Luka Dončić was born in Ljubljana, Slovenia. His mother, Mirjam Poterbin, owned beauty salons. His father, Saša Dončić, was a basketball coach and former player. His parents divorced in 2008. Luka's mother was given custody.

Luka first touched a basketball when he was seven months old. By age one, he often played with a small hoop in his room. He played many sports as a child, including soccer. He stopped playing soccer when he grew too tall.

At age seven, Luka started playing organized basketball. He played against kids who were up to 10 years old. Luka said, "I always trained with older kids. They had more experience. Many were bigger and faster. So, I had to use my brain to beat them." Luka looked up to Greek basketball player Vassilis Spanoulis. He wore number 7 at Real Madrid because of him. He also admired American basketball star LeBron James.

Luka's Youth Basketball Journey

Playing for Union Olimpija

When Luka was eight, his father played for Union Olimpija. A coach invited Luka to practice with kids his age. After only 16 minutes, coaches moved Luka to the 11-year-old group. He mostly practiced with Olimpija's under-14 team. But because of league rules, he only played for the under-12 team. He played against opponents who were three or four years older. Luka still wanted to practice, even when his coach told him to stay home.

In 2011, Luka played for Olimpija at a tournament in Budapest. He was named the most valuable player (MVP). In 2012, he played for Real Madrid in a Spanish under-14 competition. Luka won MVP honors there too. He led Real Madrid to second place. In April 2012, he was MVP and top scorer at another tournament. In one game, he scored 54 points, had 11 rebounds, and 10 assists.

Joining Real Madrid's Youth Team

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

In September 2012, at 13, Luka signed a five-year contract with Real Madrid. He quickly stood out on the under-16 team. Luka moved to Madrid and lived with other young athletes. In February 2013, he led Real Madrid to win a youth competition. He averaged 24.5 points, 13 rebounds, and 6 steals per game. He was named MVP of the tournament.

In the 2014–15 season, Luka mostly played for Real Madrid's under-18 and reserve teams. He helped the reserve team win their league group. By the end of the season, he was recognized as an honorable mention player. In May 2015, Luka won the under-18 Next Generation Tournament. He was named MVP for helping his team win the final.

Luka's Professional Basketball Career

Real Madrid (2015–2018)

Starting His Professional Journey

On April 30, 2015, Luka Dončić played his first professional game for Real Madrid. He was 16 years, two months, and two days old. This made him the youngest player ever to play for Real Madrid in the Liga ACB. He was also the third-youngest player to debut in the league's history.

In the 2015–16 season, Luka became a regular player for Real Madrid's main team. He played against the Boston Celtics in an NBA preseason game. He also debuted in the EuroLeague at age 16. On November 29, he scored a season-high 15 points. He set a new league record for points by a player under 17.

Becoming a Star Player

Dončić with Real Madrid in 2017

Luka started the 2016–17 season strong. On December 4, he had 23 points and 11 assists. This earned him his first "player of the week" award. On December 22, he was named EuroLeague MVP of the Round. He was the youngest player ever to win this award. He won it again in January 2017.

Luka was named EuroLeague Rising Star by a unanimous vote. He also won the ACB Best Young Player award. He showed everyone he was a rising star in European basketball.

His MVP Season (2017–2018)

Luka took on a bigger role in the 2017–18 season. This was because a star player, Sergio Llull, was injured. On October 12, Luka scored a career-high 27 points in his first EuroLeague game of the season. He was named EuroLeague MVP of the Round twice in October. He also won EuroLeague MVP of the Month. He was the youngest player to win this award.

On December 8, Luka scored a career-high 33 points. He led Real Madrid to a big win over the defending EuroLeague champions. He was named ACB Player of the Month for December. He was the youngest person to receive this award.

Dončić playing against Anadolu Efes in 2017

(left) with Real Madrid; (right) guarded by Josh Adams

On May 9, 2018, Luka achieved his first triple-double in the ACB league. He had 17 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists. On May 20, he led Real Madrid to win the EuroLeague championship. He was named EuroLeague Final Four MVP. He also won the EuroLeague MVP award, becoming its youngest winner. Luka also won the ACB Best Young Player and MVP awards. He helped his team win the league finals. On June 29, 2018, Luka left Real Madrid to join the NBA.

Dallas Mavericks (2018–present)

Rookie of the Year Season (2018–2019)

Dončić playing for the Dallas Mavericks in 2018

On June 21, 2018, the Atlanta Hawks picked Luka Dončić third in the 2018 NBA draft. They then traded him to the Dallas Mavericks. The Mavericks' coach, Rick Carlisle, was very excited. He called Luka a "franchise foundation piece." Luka signed his first NBA contract on July 9, 2018.

Luka played his first regular-season game on October 17, 2018. He scored 10 points, had 8 rebounds, and 4 assists. On October 20, he scored 26 points. This made him the youngest player in Mavericks history to score 20 points in a game. On October 29, he scored 31 points, his first 30-point game in the NBA.

Luka won the NBA Rookie of the Month award for November and December 2018. On January 21, 2019, he got his first NBA triple-double. He had 18 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists. He was the third-youngest player in NBA history to do this. On January 27, he scored a season-high 35 points and got his second triple-double. He was the first teenager in NBA history with a 30-point triple-double.

Luka was chosen to play in the 2019 Rising Stars Challenge. He finished his rookie season with eight triple-doubles. He was one of only five players in NBA history to average at least 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists in their rookie year. In May, he was chosen for the All-Rookie First Team. In June, he won the NBA Rookie of the Year award. He was the second European player to win it.

First All-Star Game and Playoff Appearance (2019–2020)

Luka got his first triple-double of the 2019–20 season on October 25, 2019. He scored a career-high 38 points on November 8. Ten days later, he scored a then-career-high 42 points. He also had 11 rebounds and 12 assists. On November 20, he made NBA history. He became the youngest player to have two 35-point triple-doubles in a row.

In November, Luka won his first NBA Player of the Week award. On December 3, he won his first NBA Player of the Month award. He was the youngest Western Conference Player of the Month winner. In December, Sports Illustrated named him their 2019 Breakout of the Year.

Luka was chosen to start in his first NBA All-Star Game. He was the youngest European player to start in an All-Star game. On March 4, he got his 22nd career triple-double. This broke Jason Kidd's record for the most in Mavericks history. On August 4, Luka had a career-high 20 rebounds. He became the youngest player to get 30-plus points, 20-plus rebounds, and 10 or more assists in a game.

Luka made his NBA playoffs debut on August 17. He scored 42 points, the most ever in an NBA playoffs debut. On August 23, he became the youngest player in NBA playoff history with a 40-point triple-double. He scored 43 points and hit a game-winning shot at the buzzer. On September 16, Luka was named to the All-NBA First Team. He finished fourth in the season's MVP voting.

Leading the Mavericks to the Western Conference Finals (2021–2022)

Dončić shooting a free throw in 2021

On February 6, 2021, Luka scored 42 points. On February 12, he scored a career-high 46 points. On May 1, he had 31 points, 12 rebounds, and a career-high 20 assists. He became only the fourth player in NBA history to get a 30-point triple-double with at least 20 assists. On May 7, Luka reached 5,000 career points. He was the fourth-youngest player to do this.

On August 10, 2021, Luka signed a huge five-year contract extension. On February 3, 2022, he was named an NBA All-Star reserve. On February 10, Luka scored a career-high 51 points. He scored 28 of those points in the first quarter. Three days later, he scored 45 points against the same team. He had 96 points in two games against the Clippers. This was the most in a two-game span against the same opponent since 1967.

Dončić playing in 2021

Luka missed the first three playoff games due to an injury. On April 28, he led the Mavericks to win their first-round series. This was the first time Dallas advanced past the first round in Luka's career. On May 2, he scored 45 points in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals. On May 15, Luka scored 35 points in Game 7. This sent the Mavericks to the Western Conference Finals. On May 20, he scored 42 points in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals. He joined Michael Jordan and Wilt Chamberlain as the only players with 800 points in their first 25 playoff games. On May 24, Luka was selected to his third All-NBA First Team.

Record-Setting Performances (2022–2023)

On October 27, 2022, Luka had a triple-double with 41 points, 11 rebounds, and 14 assists. This was his 22nd career 30-point triple-double. On October 30, he scored 44 points. He became the first player in NBA history to have over 200 points, 50 rebounds, and 50 assists in the first six games of a season. He also scored at least 30 points in his first six games.

On November 2, Luka scored 33 points. He became the first player since Wilt Chamberlain in 1962–63 to score at least 30 points in the first seven games of a season. In the next game, he scored 35 points. He became the only other NBA player besides Wilt Chamberlain to score 30 or more points in the first eight games of a season.

On November 18, Luka got his 50th career triple-double. He was the second-fastest player to reach 50 triple-doubles. On November 29, he had his 51st triple-double with 41 points, 12 rebounds, and 12 assists. This was his fifth 40-point triple-double.

On December 27, Luka set a career high with 60 points and 21 rebounds. He became the first player in NBA history to have a 60-point, 20-rebound triple-double. He was also the first player since James Harden to get a 60-point triple-double. Luka's 60 points were the most ever scored in Mavericks history. On December 31, he scored 51 points. He became the first player in NBA history to have over 250 points, 50 rebounds, and 50 assists in a five-game stretch.

On January 26, 2024, Luka scored a career-high 73 points. He shot 25-of-33 from the field. This was the most points scored in a single game by any player since Kobe Bryant scored 81 points in 2006. His 73 points set a new Mavericks franchise record.

First Scoring Title and NBA Finals Appearance (2023–24)

Luka finished the 2023–24 regular season as the NBA's top scorer. He was the first European player to lead the league in scoring. He was selected to his fifth All-NBA First Team.

In the 2024 playoffs, Luka continued to shine. He had his sixth career playoff triple-double on May 15. In Game 6 of the Western Conference Semifinals, he had his fourth triple-double of the 2024 playoffs. This sent the Mavericks to the Western Conference Finals. On May 24, he had another triple-double and hit a game-winning three-pointer.

In Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals, Luka scored 36 points and had 10 rebounds. He led the Mavericks to win the series. This secured the Mavericks' third NBA Finals appearance ever. Luka also won the Western Conference Finals MVP award. He became the sixth player in NBA history to lead his team in points, rebounds, and assists while reaching the NBA Finals.

In Game 1 of the 2024 NBA Finals, Luka scored 30 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. In Game 2, he became the first player in Dallas history to record a triple-double in a Finals game. He finished with 32 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists. The Mavericks lost the Finals in five games to the Boston Celtics. Luka finished the postseason leading in total points, rebounds, and assists. He was the second player in NBA history to do this.

Luka's National Team Career

Playing for Slovenia

Dončić (front) during EuroBasket 2017

On September 22, 2016, Luka announced he would play for the Slovenian national team. His teammate and friend, Goran Dragić, became his mentor.

Luka was part of the Slovenian team for EuroBasket 2017. His country won its first gold medal, going undefeated. In the quarterfinals, he scored 27 points. In the semifinals, he had 11 points, 12 rebounds, and 8 assists. In the final, Slovenia won against Serbia. Luka had 8 points and 7 rebounds before leaving due to an injury. He was named to the tournament's All-Tournament Team.

Playing in the Olympics

Luka led Slovenia to its first-ever Olympic basketball appearance. He won MVP of the qualifying tournament. In his Olympic debut on July 26, 2021, Luka scored 48 points. This was the second-highest men's point total in a single game in Summer Olympics history. In the semifinal, he had the third triple-double in Olympic men's basketball history. Slovenia lost the bronze medal match. Luka was selected to the FIBA All-Star Five team.

EuroBasket 2022 and World Cup

In EuroBasket 2022, Luka scored 47 points against France. This was the second-highest scoring total in EuroBasket history. He scored 35 points against Belgium to reach the quarterfinals. Slovenia was later upset by Poland.

During the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup, Luka scored over 200 points. He led all scorers with 27.0 points per game. Slovenia finished seventh in the tournament. Luka was named to the World Cup All-Tournament Team.

Luka's Playing Style

Luka Dončić is often called a "position-less guard." This means he can play like a point guard, shooting guard, or small forward. He is 6 feet 6 inches tall and weighs 230 pounds. He is praised for his size and strength for a guard. The Dallas Mavericks' executive, Donnie Nelson, called him a "point forward" because he can handle the ball and pass like a point guard, but has the size of a forward.

Since he was young, Luka was seen as one of Europe's top talents. A Spanish newspaper called him "El Niño Maravilla" (The Wonder Boy). Before joining the NBA, many thought he was the most accomplished young player in decades.

Luka is great at offense. He can shoot three-pointers, mid-range shots, and floaters. He is also good at playing close to the basket. His basketball smarts and skills are his biggest strengths. He is an excellent passer, especially in pick and roll plays. NBA coach Ettore Messina said Luka was "phenomenal, especially mentally" for his age.

Some people worried about his speed to guard other players. But his coach, Rick Carlisle, said Luka has a special mix of size, speed, and quickness for a 19-year-old. By his second year, Luka's ability to speed past defenders was seen as a strength.

Many basketball experts have compared Luka to famous NBA players. Before his draft, some compared him to Paul Pierce and Joe Johnson. Luka himself compared his versatile game to Ben Simmons. Los Angeles Clippers coach Doc Rivers said Luka reminds him of many players. He compared Luka's step-back three-pointers to James Harden. He compared his passing to Larry Bird and his court vision to LeBron James. NBA analyst Kendrick Perkins called Luka "baby LeBron."

In December 2019, San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said Luka's playing style was "Magic Johnson-like." He said Luka "sees the floor in that same way." In August 2020, Rick Carlisle compared Luka's playmaking to Larry Bird and Jason Kidd. Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo called Luka "one of the most talented guys I've ever played against."

In January 2024, Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd said Luka is "better than Dirk [Nowitzki]." He also said Luka is "in the atmosphere of [Michael Jordan], the best to ever do it, LeBron [James], Kobe [Bryant]."

Luka's Career Statistics

NBA

Regular season

Playoffs

EuroLeague

Liga ACB

Cited from ACB.com

Slovenia National Team Statistics

Year	Team	GP	GS	MPG	FG%	3P%	FT%	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	PPG	PIR
FIBA Basketball World Cup
2023	Slovenia	8	8	32.2	.427	.324	.772	7.1	6.1	2.5	.4	27.0	26.0
Olympics
2020	Slovenia	6	6	32.7	.449	.304	.714	9.7	9.5	1.2	1.0	23.8	29.2
EuroBasket
2017	Slovenia	9	9	29.1	.406	.311	.848	8.1	3.6	.9	.3	14.3	18.7
2022	Slovenia	7	7	33.2	.496	.322	.702	7.7	6.6	2.0	.6	26.0	27.1

Luka's Personal Life

In July 2023, Luka Dončić got engaged to his longtime girlfriend, Anamaria Goltes. On December 1, 2023, their daughter Gabriela was born.

Luka can speak four languages: Slovenian, Serbian, English, and Spanish. He learned Spanish when he joined Real Madrid.

In 2017, Luka signed a deal with Nike. In December 2019, he signed a big deal with Air Jordan. This deal includes his own signature shoe, the Jordan Luka 1. In 2021, Luka was the cover athlete for the NBA 2K22 video game. In 2023, he signed a 6-year deal with Jordan.

Luka's 2018–19 basketball card sold for $4.6 million dollars in 2021.

Luka enjoys playing video games like Call of Duty, FIFA, and Overwatch. He is very skilled at Overwatch. He reached a high rank called "Grandmaster" in 2023. He even became a top 500 player in the "tank" role in Overwatch 2.

Images for kids

• 

  Luka Dončić playing for Real Madrid in 2017.

• 

  Luka Dončić guarded by Josh Adams in 2017.

See also

In Spanish: Luka Dončić para niños

• List of National Basketball Association career triple-double leaders
• List of National Basketball Association career playoff triple-double leaders
• List of National Basketball Association single-game scoring leaders
• List of National Basketball Association single-season scoring leaders
• List of youngest EuroLeague players
• List of European basketball players in the United States