How Luka Dončić Became an NBA Legend: Life, Basketball Career, Stats, Net Worth, and Family
Luka Doncic is a Slovenian professional basketball player and one of the biggest stars in the NBA, known for his incredible scoring, playmaking, and clutch performances. Born on February 28, 1999, in Ljubljana, Slovenia, he began his career with Real Madrid at just 13 years old and became a EuroLeague MVP by 19.
He entered the NBA in 2018 after being drafted third overall and traded to the Dallas Mavericks, where he quickly earned the nickname “Luka Magic” for his elite skills and record-breaking triple-doubles. A multiple-time All-Star and All-NBA First Team selection, Dončić is widely considered one of the most talented and exciting players of his generation.
Who is Luka Doncic?
Luka Doncic was born in Ljubljana to Mirjam Poterbin, a beauty salon owner, and Saša Dončić, a basketball coach and former player. His mother is Slovenian, and his father is of Serbian descent from Kosovo. His parents divorced in 2008, and his mother gained custody. Dončić first touched a basketball at seven months and played with a mini hoop by age one.
He tried various sports as a child, including football, but quit after growing too tall. At seven, he started organized basketball at a primary school, often playing with older and bigger kids, which taught him to rely on skill and intelligence. He admired Greek player Vassilis Spanoulis, wearing number 7 at Real Madrid in his honor, and also looked up to LeBron James.
Quick Facts About Luka Doncic
| Category | Quick Facts |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Luka Dončić |
| Nickname | “Luka Magic” |
| Birthdate | February 28, 1999 |
| Age (2025) | 26 years old |
| Birthplace | Ljubljana, Slovenia |
| Nationality | Slovenian |
| Height | 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) |
| Weight | ~230 lbs (104 kg) |
| Position | Point Guard / Shooting Guard |
| Current Team (2025) | Dallas Mavericks |
| NBA Debut | 2018 |
| Draft | 2018, Round 1, Pick 3 (by Atlanta Hawks → traded to Mavericks) |
| Notable Awards | Multiple-time NBA All-Star, All-NBA First Team selections |
| Career Highlights | Youngest 40-point triple-double in NBA history; multiple playoff records |
| Jersey Number | #77 |
| Parents | Saša Dončić (father), Mirjam Poterbin (mother) |
| Relationship Status | In a relationship with Anamaria Goltes |
| Net Worth (2025 est.) | $80–100 million |
| Major Sponsor Deals | Jordan Brand, BioSteel, Hyperice |
| Hobbies | Video games, soccer, dogs |
| Known For | Elite playmaking, clutch shots, triple-doubles |
Career Timeline: Luka Doncic Dates Joined
| Date Joined | Team / Milestone | League / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| September 30, 2015 | Real Madrid senior team (first professional contract) | ACB / EuroLeague (age 16) |
| October 16, 2015 | Real Madrid debut (vs Unicaja Málaga) | ACB League |
| April 2017 | Named EuroLeague Rising Star | EuroLeague |
| May 20, 2018 | EuroLeague champion & Final Four MVP | Real Madrid (age 19) |
| May 2018 | EuroLeague MVP (youngest ever) | EuroLeague |
| June 21, 2018 | Drafted #3 overall by Atlanta Hawks | 2018 NBA Draft |
| June 21, 2018 | Traded to Dallas Mavericks | For Trae Young + 2019 1st-round pick |
| July 6, 2018 | Officially signed rookie contract with Dallas Mavericks | NBA |
| October 17, 2018 | NBA regular-season debut (vs Phoenix Suns) | Dallas Mavericks |
| July 2021 | Led Slovenia to Olympic debut (Tokyo 2020) | FIBA – 4th place |
| February 8, 2022 | Signed 5-year, $207M supermax rookie extension | Dallas Mavericks (kicks in 2022–23) |
| August 2024 | Led Slovenia at Paris 2024 Olympics | FIBA |
| February 2025 | Signed new 5-year, $346M supermax extension | Largest contract in NBA history (begins 2026–27) |
| Currently (Nov 2025) | Dallas Mavericks (7th NBA season) | 5× All-Star, 5× All-NBA First Team, 2024 Western Conference champion |
Luka Doncic Contract: The Latest Details (As of November 26, 2025)
Luka Doncic plays for the Los Angeles Lakers after a big February 2025 trade from the Dallas Mavericks. He is under a record-breaking contract that started with the Mavericks: a five-year, $380.5 million supermax deal signed in August 2021. This contract was transferred to the Lakers when he moved and includes salaries rising from $37 million in 2023–24 to $51.9 million in 2027–28, plus a $59.3 million player option for 2028–29.
Dončić signed a new three-year, $165 million maximum extension on August 2, 2025. This deal has a player option for 2028–29, avoids free agency in 2026, and could reset for an even bigger five-year, $417 million contract if he opts out. It averages $55 million per year, is fully guaranteed, includes no-trade protections, and has bonuses if he makes All-NBA First Team again (he already has five straight).
By age 29, Dončić could earn over $600 million just from NBA contracts. He also earns $10–15 million yearly from Jordan Brand deals, plus other endorsements from Nike and Panini. With his girlfriend Anamaria Goltes, Dončić focuses on winning championships with the Lakers after leading Dallas to the 2024 NBA Finals.
Luka Doncic Stats
2018-19 | Dallas Mavericks
- Games Played (GP): 72
- Minutes Per Game (MPG): 32.0
- Points Per Game (PPG): 21.2
- Rebounds Per Game (RPG): 7.8
- Assists Per Game (APG): 6.0
- Field Goal % (FG%): 42.7
- Three-Point % (3PT%): 32.0
- Free Throw % (FT%): 71.5
- Highlights: Rookie of the Year, All-Rookie 1st Team
2019-20 | Dallas Mavericks
- GP: 61
- MPG: 34.2
- PPG: 28.8
- RPG: 9.4
- APG: 8.8
- FG%: 46.3
- 3PT%: 31.3
- FT%: 77.1
- Highlights: All-Star, All-NBA 3rd Team
2020-21 | Dallas Mavericks
- GP: 66
- MPG: 34.5
- PPG: 27.7
- RPG: 8.9
- APG: 8.6
- FG%: 47.0
- 3PT%: 35.0
- FT%: 73.3
- Highlights: All-Star, All-NBA 2nd Team
2021-22 | Dallas Mavericks
- GP: 55
- MPG: 34.3
- PPG: 27.4
- RPG: 7.7
- APG: 8.7
- FG%: 45.7
- 3PT%: 30.7
- FT%: 75.3
- Highlights: All-Star, All-NBA 1st Team
2022-23 | Dallas Mavericks
- GP: 60
- MPG: 36.3
- PPG: 32.4
- RPG: 8.6
- APG: 8.0
- FG%: 49.6
- 3PT%: 34.2
- FT%: 74.5
- Highlights: All-Star, All-NBA 1st Team
2023-24 | Dallas Mavericks
- GP: 70
- MPG: 37.5
- PPG: 33.9
- RPG: 9.2
- APG: 9.8
- FG%: 48.7
- 3PT%: 38.2
- FT%: 78.6
- Highlights: All-Star, All-NBA 1st Team, Finals Runner-Up
2024-25 | Dallas Mavericks / Los Angeles Lakers
- GP: 72
- MPG: 37.2
- PPG: 34.2
- RPG: 9.1
- APG: 9.5
- FG%: 48.0
- 3PT%: 37.5
- FT%: 79.0
- Highlights: All-Star, All-NBA 1st Team, Traded to Lakers
2025-26* | Los Angeles Lakers (through Nov 26, 2025)
- GP: 8
- MPG: 37.8
- PPG: 34.5
- RPG: 8.8
- APG: 8.9
- FG%: 46.7
- 3PT%: 38.0
- FT%: 88.5
- Highlights: MVP Frontrunner, 80th Career Triple-Double
Career Totals (2018–2025)
- GP: 464
- MPG: 35.5
- PPG: 29.5
- RPG: 8.7
- APG: 8.3
- FG%: 47.0
- 3PT%: 34.8
- FT%: 76.1
- Highlights: 5× All-Star, 5× All-NBA 1st Team, 2× Scoring Champion
Luka Doncic Injury Timeline
Luka has been very durable despite playing heavy minutes. Most of his injuries have been minor sprains, strains, or soreness, mainly in his lower body (ankles, calves, heels). He has never needed major surgery and rarely misses long stretches.
- 2018-19: Right ankle sprain (2 games), thumb contusion (1 game).
- 2019-20: Right quad soreness (1 game), lower back strain (2 games), right arm soreness (1 game).
- 2020-21: Left ankle sprain (4 games), COVID protocols (5 games), right toe soreness (1 game).
- 2021-22: Left calf strain during playoffs (missed 3 games).
- 2022-23: Left thigh strain (3 games), left heel injury (4 games), left ankle sprain (1 game).
- 2023-24: Left ankle sprain (2 games).
- 2024-25: Severe left calf strain (16 games).
- 2025-26: Left finger sprain and lower left leg contusion (3 games).
Overall, Luka has missed 91 games in seven seasons, mostly due to minor issues. He recovers quickly and often returns stronger, regularly posting big games after injuries. As of November 26, 2025, he is fully healthy and playing at top form.
Luka Doncic Net Worth
Luka Doncic net worth is estimated at about $100 million. He earns around $58.5 million per year, with $43.5 million from his NBA salary and $15 million from endorsements. His earnings grew from his rookie deal in 2018 to a five-year, $207 million contract in 2021, and now a three-year, $165 million deal with the Lakers through 2028–29.
Luka also makes money from Jordan Brand shoes, Panini trading cards, and other endorsements. He owns expensive homes in Manhattan Beach, Dallas, and Madrid, and invests smartly. He lives a simple lifestyle with his fiancée Anamaria Goltes, and his wealth is expected to keep growing, possibly reaching $250 million by 2030.
Luka Doncic Wife
Luka Dončić is not married but is in a long-term relationship with his fiancée, Anamaria Goltes. She is a Slovenian model, born on December 23, 1998. They first met at age 12 during a summer camp in 2011. Their friendship slowly turned into a romance as Dončić started his pro career.
They have a daughter, Gabriela, born on December 28, 2023, in Dallas. As of November 2025, Goltes is expecting their second child. Dončić proposed on July 7, 2023, in Slovenia with a $500K custom diamond ring. Goltes moved to Dallas in 2018 to support his NBA career. She shares glimpses of their life on Instagram (@anamariagoltes, 259K followers).
They live between Los Angeles, Dallas, and Ljubljana with three dogs—Hugo, Gia, and Viki. Goltes has been supportive through Dončić’s NBA Finals run and 2025 trade. Their combined net worth is around $101.5 million. Wedding plans are rumored for summer 2026.
Jersey Number 77
Dončić wears No. 77 to honor idol Vassilis Spanoulis (who wore No. 7) and his birthday (7/7 in Slovenia). It’s become iconic—his Jordan Brand “Luka 77” sneakers sold out globally, with custom Gabriela embroidery on his pairs.
All-NBA Dominance
Luka Dončić has been selected to the All-NBA First Team for five years in a row (2020-21 to 2024-25). Only he and LeBron James have done this before turning 27. In the 2023-24 season, he averaged 33.9 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 9.8 assists per game, almost a triple-double, and helped lead Dallas to the NBA Finals.






