Luka Dončić is a Slovenian professional basketball player who currently plays for the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA. He has achieved significant recognition throughout his career, including five selections to both the NBA All-Star game and the All-NBA First Team. Representing the Slovenian national team, Dončić is considered one of the best European basketball players in history.
1998: All-NBA First Team Selection
Dončić's exceptional performance during the season earned him a spot on the All-NBA First Team, the first player since Tim Duncan in 1998 to achieve this in their first or second season.
February 28, 1999: Birth of Luka Dončić
Luka Dončić was born on February 28, 1999, in Ljubljana, Slovenia, to Mirjam Poterbin and Saša Dončić.
2008: Parents' Divorce
Dončić's parents, Mirjam Poterbin and Saša Dončić, divorced in 2008, with custody granted to his mother.
September 2011: MVP at Vasas Intesa Sanpaolo Cup
Dončić was named MVP of the under-14 Vasas Intesa Sanpaolo Cup in Budapest in September 2011, despite his team finishing as runners-up.
February 2012: MVP at Minicopa Endesa
While on loan to Real Madrid, Dončić won the tournament MVP at the Minicopa Endesa, an under-14 Spanish club competition, in February 2012.
April 2012: MVP and Leading Scorer at Lido di Roma Tournament
Dončić was both MVP and leading scorer at the under-13 Lido di Roma Tournament in April 2012, scoring an impressive 54 points in the final.
September 2012: Signs with Real Madrid
At 13, Dončić signed a five-year contract with Real Madrid in September 2012.
February 2013: Minicopa Endesa Win and MVP
Dončić led Real Madrid to a Minicopa Endesa victory and earned MVP honors in February 2013.
December 2014: Strong Performance in Hungary Tournament
In December 2014, Luka Dončić participated in a friendly tournament held in Székesfehérvár, Hungary. He showcased an impressive performance, averaging 35.3 points and 7.6 rebounds per game. His shooting accuracy was also noteworthy, with an 81% success rate on two-pointers and 57% on three-pointers.
January 2015: Ciutat de L'Hospitalet Tournament Win
In January 2015, Dončić won the under-18 Ciutat de L'Hospitalet Tournament and was named to the All-Tournament Team.
April 30, 2015: ACB Debut
Dončić made his Liga ACB debut for Real Madrid on April 30, 2015, becoming the youngest player to ever play for Real Madrid in the ACB.
May 2015: Next Generation Tournament MVP
Dončić was named MVP of the under-18 Next Generation Tournament in May 2015, leading his team to victory against the defending champions.
October 8, 2015: NBA Preseason Game
Dončić played against the Boston Celtics in an NBA preseason game on October 8, 2015.
2015: Real Madrid Debut
In 2015, at the age of 16, Luka Dončić made his professional debut for Real Madrid's senior team, becoming the youngest player in the club's history.
January 7, 2016: EuroLeague Performance vs. CSKA Moscow
On January 7, 2016, Dončić scored 12 points and had five rebounds against CSKA Moscow in a EuroLeague game, including nine points in two minutes.
September 22, 2016: Commitment to Slovenian National Team
On September 22, 2016, Luka Dončić publicly announced his decision to represent the Slovenian senior men's national basketball team throughout his career. This decision ended speculation about him potentially playing for other national teams, such as Serbia or Spain. It was also noted that Goran Dragić, whom Dončić had known since the age of seven and considered a mentor and friend, became his national team roommate.
September 30, 2016: 2016-17 Season Debut
Luka Dončić made his professional debut for Real Madrid on September 30, 2016, against Unicaja, contributing six points and four assists in 19 minutes of play.
October 3, 2016: NBA Preseason Win
On October 3, 2016, Luka Dončić contributed three points, five rebounds, and four assists in an NBA preseason victory against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
December 8, 2016: EuroLeague Victory over Žalgiris Kaunas
Luka Dončić scored a team-high 17 points in a EuroLeague win against Žalgiris Kaunas on December 8, 2016.
2016: Slovenia National Team Debut
At 17, Dončić made his senior debut for the Slovenian national team in 2016.
January 14, 2017: EuroLeague MVP of the Round
Dončić earned EuroLeague MVP of the Round honors on January 14, 2017, after recording 10 points, 11 rebounds, and eight assists in a win over Maccabi Tel Aviv.
October 1, 2017: 2017-18 Season Debut
On October 1, 2017, Luka Dončić started the season with eight points, six rebounds, and four assists in a 94-88 win against MoraBanc Andorra.
2017: EuroBasket Championship
Dončić played a key role in Slovenia's first EuroBasket title victory in 2017 and was named to the All-Tournament Team.
2017: EuroBasket 2017 Gold Medal and All-Tournament Team Selection
In 2017, Luka Dončić played a crucial role in Slovenia's historic EuroBasket victory. The team went undefeated, culminating in their first-ever gold medal. Dončić's contributions included key performances like a 27-point, 9-rebound game against Latvia in the quarterfinals. He was recognized for his excellent play by being selected to the All-Tournament Team, alongside teammate and tournament MVP Goran Dragić.
2017: Nike Deal
In 2017, Luka Dončić, during his time with Real Madrid, signed a two-year endorsement deal with Nike.
February 9, 2018: Game against Olympiacos
Dončić scored 27 points for Real Madrid in a narrow loss to Olympiacos on February 9, 2018.
March 30, 2018: Game-Winning Shot against Crvena zvezda
On March 30, 2018, Dončić led Real Madrid to victory with a game-winning three-pointer against Crvena zvezda Belgrade, finishing the game with 24 points, nine rebounds.
April 2018: Mina Kimes Profiles Dončić's Gaming Habits
In April 2018, sports journalist Mina Kimes published a profile of Luka Dončić, highlighting his passion for video games such as Call of Duty, FIFA, and Overwatch. The profile noted his preference for playing characters like Genji and Hanzo.
June 21, 2018: 2018 NBA Draft
Luka Dončić was drafted third overall by the Atlanta Hawks in the 2018 NBA Draft on June 21, 2018, and subsequently traded to the Dallas Mavericks.
June 29, 2018: Departure from Real Madrid
Luka Dončić officially parted ways with Real Madrid on June 29, 2018, concluding his tenure with the club.
July 9, 2018: Signing with Dallas Mavericks
Dončić signed his rookie contract with the Dallas Mavericks on July 9, 2018.
October 17, 2018: Regular Season Debut
Luka Dončić made his NBA regular season debut on October 17, 2018, against the Phoenix Suns, contributing 10 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists despite the Mavericks' loss.
November 2018: Rookie of the Month
Dončić was named the Western Conference Rookie of the Month for November 2018, highlighting his strong start to his NBA career.
December 2018: Rookie of the Month, 34-Point Game
Dončić's impressive performances continued throughout December 2018, culminating in a 34-point game and his second Western Conference Rookie of the Month award.
2018: EuroLeague Title and MVP
In 2018, Dončić led Real Madrid to the EuroLeague title, earning both the EuroLeague MVP and Final Four MVP awards.
2018: NBA Draft
Dončić declared for the NBA draft in 2018 and was selected third overall by the Atlanta Hawks before being traded to the Dallas Mavericks.
2018: High Expectations for Dončić in the NBA Draft
Entering the 2018 NBA draft, Luka Dončić was widely considered one of the most promising prospects. Several publications, including Slam magazine and SB Nation, touted his skills and accomplishments, with some even calling him the best international prospect ever. This created significant anticipation for his entry into the NBA.
January 2019: Rookie of the Month, Triple-Doubles
Dončić's achievements in January 2019 included his third triple-double and another Western Conference Rookie of the Month award.
October 25, 2019: First Triple-Double of the Season
Dončić started the 2019-20 season strong with a triple-double against the New Orleans Pelicans on October 25, 2019.
November 2019: Nomination to EuroLeague All-Decade Team
In November 2019, Luka Dončić was nominated for the EuroLeague 2010-20 All-Decade Team, recognizing his impact on the league during that period.
December 8, 2019: Sports Illustrated Breakout of the Year, Consecutive 20-5-5 Games Record
Dončić's performance in 2019 was recognized with the Sports Illustrated Breakout of the Year award. On December 8, 2019, he broke Michael Jordan's record for consecutive games with at least 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists.
December 2019: Air Jordan Endorsement Deal
In December 2019, Luka Dončić signed a multi-year endorsement deal with Air Jordan, which included the development of his signature shoe, the Jordan Luka 1.
December 2019: Comparison to Magic Johnson by Gregg Popovich
In December 2019, San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich likened Luka Dončić's playing style to that of Magic Johnson, highlighting Dončić's exceptional court vision and playmaking abilities.
2019: Rising Stars Challenge, Near All-Star Selection
In 2019, Dončić participated in the Rising Stars Challenge and was a strong contender for the All-Star game, though ultimately not selected.
2019: All-Star Game Selection
In 2019, Luka Dončić achieved a major career milestone by being selected to his first NBA All-Star Game as a starter for the Western Conference.
January 4, 2020: Tenth Triple-Double of the Season
Dončić recorded his 10th triple-double of the season in a game against the Charlotte Hornets on January 4, 2020.
March 2020: Selection to EuroLeague All-Decade Team
Dončić was formally selected for the EuroLeague 2010-20 All-Decade Team in March 2020.
July 31, 2020: 15th Triple-Double of the Season
On July 31, 2020, Dončić achieved his 15th triple-double of the season against the Houston Rockets, though the Mavericks lost in overtime.
August 2020: Comparison to Larry Bird and Jason Kidd by Rick Carlisle
In August 2020, Dallas Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle drew comparisons between Luka Dončić's playmaking and court vision to those of legendary players Larry Bird and Jason Kidd. This comparison further emphasized Dončić's exceptional skills and basketball IQ.
2020: Olympic Qualification and Tournament MVP
During the 2020 FIBA Men's Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Kaunas, Lithuania, Luka Dončić led Slovenia to a historic victory, securing their first-ever Olympic berth. His outstanding performance, capped by a 31-point, 11-rebound, and 13-assist game in the final against Lithuania, earned him the tournament MVP award.
March 23, 2021: Honorary Member of Real Madrid Football Club
Luka Dončić was named an honorary member of Real Madrid Football Club on March 23, 2021, the club's highest distinction.
July 14, 2021: NBA 2K22 Cover Athlete
On July 14, 2021, it was announced that Luka Dončić would be the cover athlete for the popular video game NBA 2K22, marking his appearance on the cover of the 23rd installment in the NBA 2K series.
July 26, 2021: Record-Breaking Olympic Debut
Luka Dončić made his Olympic debut on July 26, 2021, in a remarkable fashion, scoring 48 points against Argentina, leading Slovenia to a 118-100 win. This performance tied for the second-highest single-game point total in men's Olympic basketball history and set a new record for the most points scored in a men's Olympic debut.
2021: Record-Breaking Basketball Card Sale
In 2021, a Luka Dončić 2018–19 Panini National Treasures basketball card sold for an astounding $4.6 million, setting a record price for his trading cards.
March 2023: Dončić Achieves Top Rank in Overwatch
By March 2023, Dončić had reached the "Grandmaster" tier in competitive Overwatch, and later reached the top 500 in the tank role playing Zarya in Overwatch 2.
July 2023: Engagement to Anamaria Goltes
In July 2023, Luka Dončić announced his engagement to his longtime girlfriend, Anamaria Goltes.
December 1, 2023: Birth of Daughter, Gabriela
On December 1, 2023, Luka Dončić and his fiancée, Anamaria Goltes, welcomed their daughter, Gabriela, into the world.
2023: Six-Year Jordan Deal
In 2023, Luka Dončić further solidified his partnership with Jordan Brand by signing a six-year endorsement deal, ensuring the continuation of his signature Jordan Luka shoe line.
2023: 200-Point Club and World Cup All-Tournament Team
In the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup, Luka Dončić achieved a significant milestone by joining the exclusive 200-point club, becoming one of only 11 players to score 200 or more points in a single World Cup tournament. He also received recognition for his exceptional performance by being named to the World Cup All-Tournament Team.
2023: NBA Scoring Title
During the 2023-24 NBA season, Dončić led the league in scoring, becoming the first European player to achieve this.
January 2024: Jason Kidd's High Praise for Dončić
In January 2024, former NBA player and Dallas Mavericks coach Jason Kidd offered high praise for Luka Dončić, stating that he considered him better than Dirk Nowitzki and placing him in the same league as all-time greats like Michael Jordan, LeBron James, and Kobe Bryant.
December 7, 2024: Triple-Double and Ranking Milestone
On December 7, 2024, Luka Dončić achieved a triple-double with 30 points, 13 rebounds, and 11 assists, leading the Dallas Mavericks to a 125-118 victory against the Toronto Raptors. This accomplishment also marked a significant milestone in his career as he surpassed Wilt Chamberlain and James Harden to secure the seventh position on the all-time career triple-double list.
December 29, 2024: Dončić's House Burglarized
On December 29, 2024, Luka Dončić's residence in the Preston Hollow neighborhood of Dallas was burglarized.
2024: NBA Finals Appearance
In 2024, Dončić led the Dallas Mavericks to their third NBA Finals appearance.
2024: Slovenia Fails to Qualify for Paris 2024 Olympics
In 2024, the Slovenian basketball team, led by Luka Dončić, faced disappointment in the qualifying rounds for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. They lost their final qualifying game against Greece with a score of 96-68, preventing them from advancing to the Olympics.
February 2, 2025: Trade to the Los Angeles Lakers
In a significant trade on February 2, 2025, Luka Dončić, along with Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris, were traded from the Dallas Mavericks to the Los Angeles Lakers. The Lakers exchanged Max Christie, Anthony Davis, and a 2029 first-round pick in return. This trade involved other teams as well, with the Utah Jazz acquiring Jalen Hood-Schifino and draft picks. The move was considered highly significant and unexpected due to the exchange of two current All-NBA players midseason.