Luka Doncic: A Laker And Slovenian Wizard…
Lakers’ superstar Luka Doncic is gearing up for the FIBA EuroBasket 2025, and he’s about as easy to stop as a greased-up pig at a country fair. Among other stars prepping for the tournament are Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets and Milwaukee Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo. Rising stars like top 2024 draft pick Zaccharie Risacher from the Atlanta Hawks and Orlando Magic’s Franz Wagner will also grace the courts. Wagner, who will lead his native Germany, calls trying to defend Doncic a team effort, where sometimes all you can do is tip your hat to his incredible plays.
Wagner shared with FIBA Basketball that defending Doncic is tougher than finding a unicorn in a haystack—he’s versatile and makes outrageous shots seem routine. Despite Germany and Slovenia being in separate groups, Wagner knows facing Doncic is no walk in a park but more like taming a tornado. Recently, Doncic dodged a serious injury scare during a Slovenia exhibition game against Latvia after a teammate fell on his knee. He bounced back like a rubber ball and thrilled fans in matches against Great Britain and Serbia, reminding us all why he’s a Lakers and Slovenian wizard.
