Before he became one of the brightest stars in the NBA, Luka Dončić was just a kid with a basketball in his hands and big dreams in his heart. What most people don’t know is that his journey to superstardom started not on the court—but on the sidelines.
In a heartfelt interview with Mind the Game, Luka revealed, “I started as a ball boy in Euroleague for Olimpija. So before games, halftime, after games, I was just shooting.” Those simple moments of innocent fun were actually the first chapters of an incredible story the world is now watching unfold.
As the son of professional basketball player Saša Dončić, young Luka was constantly surrounded by the sport. But instead of just watching from the bench, he took every chance he got to shoot, play, and learn. Over time, those moments became muscle memory. That passion became purpose.
One childhood photo tells it all: a young Luka grinning ear to ear in a Union Olimpija jersey, holding a basketball almost as big as him. Who could have guessed that little boy would go on to dominate European leagues, get drafted into the NBA, and become a global icon?
Luka Dončić’s rise is the stuff of legends—and it all started when he was just a ball boy. His story proves that greatness doesn’t always start under the spotlight. Sometimes, it starts when no one’s watching… and the only thing that matters is love for the game.
