Luka Dončić looked unstoppable in his teenage years when he led Slovenia to EuroBasket gold. Now, after a blockbuster trade sent him to the Los Angeles Lakers, his teammates say he’s never looked better. With questions about his fitness finally behind him, the 26-year-old seems ready to prove that his transformation goes far beyond what anyone expected.
How Will Luka Dončić’s Summer Transformation Impact His Performance?
Luka Dončić has been regarded as one of the best basketball players in the world since his teenage years, helping Goran Dragić and the Slovenian team capture its first-ever EuroBasket gold at age 18 in 2017. Eight years later, he’s poised to guide Slovenia back to the championship podium with a renewed drive. That transformation isn’t lost on his current teammates, reports BasketNews’ Pijus Sapetka.
“Yeah, he’s faster and jumps more,” said small forward and former Slovenian captain Edo Murić after an exhibition game between Slovenia and Lithuania. “And this year, I expect him to be the best version of himself.” Murić applauded Dončić’s maturation, having played with him in 2017 and 2022 at the EuroBasket and the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.
Despite missing the friendly game in Lithuania, Luka Doncic made sure to spend as much time as possible with all the fans who came to see him 👏😌 #EuroBasket pic.twitter.com/nM2aEkEA79
— BasketNews (@BasketNews\_com) August 15, 2025
“He’s more experienced, maturing, he understands the game better and better every year,” Murić continued. “So, I think that he showed everyone that he’s one of the best players, and I think that he still belongs there. I can’t wait for us to be all together and to enjoy our game.”
What Does Dončić’s New Workout Regimen Include?
Dončić has been training in Croatia since the NBA offseason began, working to dispel one nagging criticism that has hounded him since he was drafted in 2018. His workout regimen includes intermittent fasting, a gluten-free and low-sugar diet, and two-a-day workouts.
According to his interview in Men’s Health, “Obviously, I’m very competitive. This summer was just a little bit different, you know. It kind of motivated me to be even better.” Dončić didn’t get into specifics about his weight, but did note he noticed a significant difference in his jumping.
His Slovenian teammates have already remarked how hard it is to guard him in practice with his conditioning and skills. “I mean, everybody’s talking about his fitness. Of course, he said that he’s in a lot better shape. And I mean, he’s just being him. Not too many, let’s say, differences about that,” said guard Aleksej Nikolić.
Can Dončić Stay Healthy for EuroBasket After His Recent Injury Scare?
Dončić did suffer a slight injury after a teammate fell on his knee during the team’s exhibition game against Latvia last Saturday (August 16), but according to NBA insider Marc Stein, as of Monday (August 18), he was reportedly cleared to play the next friendly game against Great Britain.
All eyes will be on Dončić and Slovenia as EuroBasket begins officially on August 27. Other NBA teams will also be watching to see how much more powerful the forward/guard will be after signing his three-year, $165 million extension to stay in purple and gold and keep the Lakers in championship contention.
