Luka Doncic has a shot at becoming the next face of the NBA.
The Dallas Mavericks phenom has ascended to the summit of the sport with virtually unparalleled scoring and playmaking prowess.
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The 6ft 7in point guard has been on a tear since entering the league as the third overall pick in 2018, winning the 2019 Rookie of the Year award and making fourAll-NBA First Teams and five All-Star teams.
Yet a championship still eludes the perennial MVP candidate - something he hopes to address this season if Dallas can close out the Minnesota Timberwolves and advance to the NBA Finals.
But truth be told, transcendent 'Luka Magic' was already a star long before he stepped foot on an NBA court.
He signed a pro contract withReal Madridat the age of 13 and left his family behind in his native Slovenia to move to Spain and pursue his hoop dreams.
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Fortunately, it didn't take long for Doncic to settle into life in the Spanish capital.
Sports newspaper Marca quickly dubbed the youngster "El Nino Maravilla" - "The Wonder Boy" - due to his obvious precocious talents.
Before he turned 14 he was already the jewel in Madrid's under-16 team.
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In February 2013, Doncic led Madrid to a Minicopa Endesa tournament win, averaging 24.5 points, 13 rebounds, four assists and six steals per game.
In the tourney's final game, he contributed 25 points, 16 rebounds and five steals to defeat FC Barcelona and win MVP honors.
Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic has Phoenix Suns fan ejected for yelling 'Get your a** on the treadmill' at him
A month later, he earned MVP accolades of the under-16 Spain Championship, scoring 25 points in a championship game win over theGran Canariayouth team.
The following year, Doncic featured more regularly for Real Madrid's under-18 andreserve teams.
Luka won the under-18Ciutat de L'Hospitalet Tournamentand was selected to the All-Tournament Team, despite being two years younger than the rest of the team.
He averaged 13 points, 7.2 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.8 steals during that run.
In May 2015, aged 16, he helped Los Blancos win the Euroleague Basketball Adidas Next Generation Tournament while earning Finals MVP honors.
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Doncic was undeniably in the ascendancy and, in the dying moments of a home ACB game versusUnicajaMalaga in June 2015, made his professional debut withReal Madrid.
He was only 16 years and two months old, becoming the youngest player in Real’s history and the third youngest of the Spanish League.
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He drilled a corner three-pointer in his first possession in what was a clear sign of things to come.
A year later, Doncic was chosen as the 2016-17 EuroLeague Rising Star, posting 7.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists in 35 games.
Footage from the time showcased his deadly offensive arsenal.
Crazy dribble moves, behind the back passes, and step-back 3-pointers were the norm whenever Luka was on the floor.
The teenage sensation was a nightmare matchup for defensive veterans and routinely broke their ankles.
By 19, he was the best player on the continent and led the Spanish giants to the2018 EuroLeague title in Belgrade.
For his efforts, Luka was named MVP of the Euroleague and MVP of the Final Four, averaging 16 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.3 assists.
The NBA-bound superstarwas also named theACB Most Valuable Playerand won back-to-backEuroLeague Rising StarandACB Best Young Playerawards before being selected to theEuroLeague 2010–20 All-Decade Team.
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In 2017, he and formerMiami Heatguard Goran Dragic ledSloveniato an upset gold medal and the nation's first ever title at the FIBA EuroBasket, further enhancing his reputation as a generational talent.
Despite his tender age, Luka was already considered one of the greatest EuroLeague players ever.
But it was patently clear that he was ready for the upper echelons of basketball, and so in 2018 he declared for the NBA Draft.
Luka was drafted by Atlanta Hawks but was immediately traded to theMavericksas part of a swap involving fellow guard Trae Young.
Postseason success has so far escaped Luka and the Mavs in the six years since draft night.
He reached the Western Conference Finals in the 2021-2022 season, losing to eventual champions Golden State.
But with Kyrie Irving now by his side, Luka will look to emulate that other European giant Dirk Nowitzki who delivered a world title for Dallas in 2011.
Luka and the Mavs hold a commanding 3-0 series lead against Anthony Edwards' Timberwolves in the Western Conference Finals.
Doncic and Kyrie scored 33 points apiece in Game 3, which came days after Luka's stunning game-winner in the dying seconds of Game 2.
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Doncic has averaged28.3 points, 9.3 rebounds and 9.0 assistsin 15 games in the 2024 playoffs.
He is just one win away from the NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics.
