Luka Doncic has a lot of NBA seasons left, but he’s interested in someday finishing his basketball career with his first professional team, Real Madrid. In an interview with Jason Gay of The Wall Street Journal (subscription required), Doncic addressed the possibility of wrapping up his playing days in Spain (hat tip to Johnny Askounis of Eurohoops).
“To play with Real Madrid, you have to be so good,” Doncic said. Asked about potentially returning to the Euroleague and ACB power, he responded, “For sure. They raised me.”
Doncic was only 13 years old when he signed with Real Madrid in 2012. He starred at the junior level for three seasons before being promoted to the senior team and officially beginning his professional career. He was the youngest player ever to take the court for Real Madrid and the third-youngest in ACB history.
He quickly became one of the league’s top stars, capping off his career in Europe in 2018 by winning the EuroLeague scoring title, along with regular season and Final Four MVP honors.
Doncic doesn’t envision himself playing into his 40s like LeBron James, but he hopes to emulate his Lakers teammate in another way. He tells Gay that he would like to become involved in owning a sports franchise, even if it’s not in basketball. James is a minority owner with Fenway Sports Group, which controls the Boston Red Sox, Pittsburgh Penguins and Liverpool F.C.
Doncic also discussed his new emphasis on conditioning, which he said was inspired by teaming up with James. Doncic was noticeably lighter and more mobile as he represented Slovenia in the just-completed EuroBasket tournament.
He used resistance bands, deadlifts and dumbbells to build his strength and added in some agility drills. He hired a private chef to help with a new nutrition routine that included intermittent fasting.
He also stepped away from the basketball court for a while to place his full focus on fitness.
“For the first time, I stopped playing basketball for a month,” Doncic revealed. “Pure training and fitness. And padel tennis.”
Can’t wait for people to be offended that he likes Europe more than the states
Who doesn’t at this point
MattFoley where are you from?
Him and the rest of the world.
So you’re pre-offended by a hypothetical group of people. KobeBryantSayingSoft.gif
Where did you get that I was offended in my comment?
I’m offended that you THOUGHT I might be offended by that, washington_bonercats. However, in hindsight, it would be ridiculous for me to expect others in an online chat platform to know me liiiiike……hey!……to know me like LeBron knows to keep his big ‘L’ shirt ready and “close to the vest” (get it?) come each May or June – or even as early as April, like this year. TWENTY-TWO seasons (AND counting) of mostly unfulfilled expectations, you guys. Now THAT..never gets old.
washington_bonercats, I’m more offended by your glazing of LeBron more than anything
Get him out of this league A-S-A-P, FckMUT.
He can leave today for all I care …….
I hope Zion is reading this. What more proof do we need. To understand how easy it is for a pro athlete to control his weight and fitness ……. All he has to do is want to do it then do it….. Luka decided to get in shape at 27. When will Zion decide to do it.
lmao, not sure why you hate Doncic but he didn’t ‘decide to get in shape at 27’ (he’s only 26, but whatever). This past season was the first time he didn’t play in more than 61 games and he’s frequently among the league leaders in minutes per game. He also has five All NBA First Teams and gets MVP consideration almost every year. He’s been in shape.
He’s closer to 27 bro. Feb 29. I hate the fact a top offensive player. Doesn’t care enough to play D. The weight thing is part of the prima donna attitude. Is it too much to ask to play D. 2way sport lol.