Luka Doncic has featured in one of Slovenia’s two preparation games for the 2025 EuroBasket thus far, and his head coach is preaching patience when it comes to his superstar. Aleksander Sekulic told Meridian Sports that it will take some time before we see the real Doncic on the court for Slovenia.
“Luka has changed his way of working, and whether he is more prepared or not, we will see,” Sekulic said. “He can’t be at his peak now; he has only just started training in terms of basketball. He is not the real Doncic yet, and we all know what that looks like on the court.
“The most important thing is that Luka is very motivated, that he came to do something nice with the national team, and that he can then be ready to enter the new season,” Sekulic added.
Doncic revealed that he had stepped away from basketball for an entire month for the first time ever this offseason. The 26-year-old changed his diet, tried different practices, and played other sports. The results are promising, as we have witnessed quite a physical transformation.
Doncic has reportedly lost 31 pounds this offseason. The five-time All-Star showed off his lean physique in a viral clip in July, and Los Angeles Lakers fans were thrilled by that.
It was reported that concerns about Doncic’s long-term health were a big reason why the Dallas Mavericks traded the superstar to the Lakers in February. He is putting those concerns to bed now.
As for Doncic’s play with Slovenia, he had 19 points (5-11 FG), three rebounds, and five assists in a 103-89 loss to Germany on Friday. He had some good moments despite the loss.
Luka Doncic Highlights vs Germany :
19 PTS
5-11 FG (45%)
3-6 3PT (50%)
6-13 FT
5 AST
3 REB
Luka looked really good in the first half, being aggressive and trying his best to keep his Slovenian teammates in the hunt, but in the end Germany had too many NBA players on the roster… pic.twitter.com/wd1roNcUKQ
— LakeShow Highlights (@LSH_lakeshow) August 8, 2025
An NBA scout who was in attendance for this game stated that Doncic looked incredible. The individual felt the guard was quicker and more explosive, and is backing him to win MVP and the scoring title in 2025-26.
While that could well happen, Doncic’s focus is on EuroBasket right now. He opted against playing in the rematch in Germany on August 10, and it will be interesting to see how many of these preparation games he plays. Slovenia will face off against Lithuania, Latvia, Great Britain, and Serbia before they kickstart their EuroBasket campaign.
Doncic helped his country win the tournament for the first time in their history in 2017. They weren’t able to defend that title in 2022, though, losing to Poland in the quarterfinals.
While a fit and firing Doncic alone would have boosted Slovenia’s chances of winning in 2025, he is also making a positive impact as a leader. Slovenian guard Klemen Prepelic told SportKlub that the Lakers star is a more vocal presence now than in years past.
“Luka, who shows an ideal attitude towards the national team with his constant availability and loyalty, is open and positive,” Prepelic said. “He knows how to cheer on the young. He has also changed a bit. He talks significantly more than in the past.
“This is probably related to the challenge that awaits him at the LA Lakers, where he is becoming the first face of the franchise and a true leader,” Prepelic added. “His basketball IQ is unimaginable. What he says, he says in good faith, with enthusiasm and in the hope that his teammate will be better because of it.”
Doncic appears to have taken strides in various areas, which is great news for Slovenia and the Lakers. He is gunning for glory at both the international stage and in the NBA.
