Slovenian national team veterans Edo Muric and Aleksej Nikolic highlighted how Luka Doncic has evolved from a teenage talent into a quicker, stronger, and more vocal leader, showcasing both physical transformation and growing maturity over the years.
This summer, Los Angeles Lakers superstar Luka Doncic has gone through a noticeable body transformation thanks to a strict diet and new conditioning program — something that has both L.A. and Slovenian fans excited.
According to long-time Slovenian national team member and former captain Edo Muric, the results are clear.
Muric, who played alongside Doncic at two FIBA EuroBaskets (2017, 2022) and the Tokyo Olympics, says Luka's new physique has made him quicker, more explosive, and even tougher to guard in practice.
"Yeah, he's faster and jumps more," Muric, 33, told BasketNews after a Slovenia-Lithuania exhibition game. "And this year, I expect him to be the best version of himself."
"It's super hard [to defend him]," added Slovenian guard Aleksej Nikolic, 30, who played with Doncic in the last two EuroBaskets, Tokyo Olympic Games, and FIBA World Cup 2023.
Luka's growth is visible (or in this case, hearable) not only on the court.
"Yes, every year he's more vocal and vocal," Muric noted. "This is what we need from him. He's our leader, and this needs to be done on the court and off the court. That's why I say he's maturing; he knows what he's talking about, and it's really a pleasure to follow him."
"He's more experienced, maturing, he understands the game better and better every year," continued Muric, who has been with the Slovenian national team since 2011. "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."
So far, Slovenia has played four FIBA EuroBasket 2025 friendlies, losing all of them.
Doncic appeared in two games: against Germany, where he recorded 19 points (2/5 2PT, 3/6 3PT, 6/13 FT), three rebounds, and five assists.
Against Latvia, where he scored 26 points in the first half (2/4 2PT, 5/11 3PT, 7/7 FT), along with four rebounds, five assists, and two steals. He also picked up an injury, though multiple reports suggest it's not serious.
"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," Nikolic also told BasketNews about his star teammate.
Luka has never skipped a summer with the Slovenian national team, and it looks like that won't change even after signing a three-year, $165 million extension with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Back in 2017, an 18-year-old Doncic helped MVP-form Goran Dragic lead Slovenia to its first-ever EuroBasket gold, averaging 14.3 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 3.6 assists.
Since then, Luka has never averaged fewer than 21 points, seven rebounds, and six assists for his country in international competition.
At EuroBasket 2022, Doncic was brilliant again with 26.0 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 6.6 assists per game, but Slovenia fell in a shocking quarterfinal loss to underdog Poland.
This summer, Slovenia faces an even steeper challenge at EuroBasket 2025, starting August 27, as Doncic will be without key teammates, former Denver Nuggets forward Vlatko Cancar and naturalized American center Josh Nebo.
That means Luka's new level of leadership will be more important than ever.
Slovenia's preliminary roster for EuroBasket 2025
Player Team
Miha Cerkvenik Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana (Slovenia)
Luka Doncic Los Angeles Lakers (NBA)
Gregor Hrovat JDA Dijon (France)
Robert Jurkovic Free agent
Martin Krampelj Sagesse SC (Lebanon)
Urban Kroflic Mega Basket Belgrade (Serbia)
Edo Muric KK Ilirija (Slovenia)
Mark Padjen KK Ilirija (Slovenia)
Klemen Prepelic Dubai Basketball (UAE, EuroLeague)
Rok Radovic Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana (Slovenia)
Zak Smrekar Krka Novo mesto (Slovenia)
Leon Stergar Free agent
Luka Scuka Lowen Braunschweig (Germany)
Aleksej Nikolic Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana (Slovenia)
Alen Omic Buducnost Podgorica (Montenegro)
Slovenia's friendly games schedule
Game Date Score
vs. Germany August 8 L, 89-103
vs. Germany August 10 L, 70-80
vs. Lithuania August 15 L, 72-94
vs. Latvia August 16 L, 88-100
vs. Great Britain August 19 TBD
vs. Serbia August 21 TBD
Pijus Sapetka
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