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Final Four memory: historical Doncic's spectacle before his leap to NBA / News - Basketnews.com

nqajqrqw7months ago (05-17)Tennis Life103
Credit: AFP - Scanpix Credit AFP - Scanpix

"Ajde, Doncic," the Nikola Tesla's airport staff member made way for BasketNews daily editor when he noticed him wearing Luka Doncic jerseys.

Luka Doncic

Luka  DoncicTeam:Dallas MavericksPosition:SGAge:23Height:201 cmWeight:99 kgBirth place:Ljubljana, SloveniaProfileNewsStatistics

On his way to the Final Four city, Edvinas Jablonskis saluted Doncic's spectacle in Game 7 of the Western Conference semifinals vs. the Phoenix Suns, where Luka went off for another remarkable 35-point performance.

But Doncic's name also has another meaning for the upcoming EuroLeague fiesta in the Serbian capital.

Apparently, Doncic played his last EuroLeague game in the previous Final Four that Belgrade hosted in 2018.

He left the EuroLeague floor in style as the EuroLeague champion, the Final Four MVP, and the season 2017-18 MVP.

On top of that, he made history, becoming the youngest EuroLeague season and Final Four MVP at the age of 19.

Doncic posted 15 points, four assists, and three rebounds in the final battle vs. Fenerbahce Istanbul 85-80.

In the semifinal win against CSKA Moscow, Doncic recorded 16 points and seven rebounds.

"There have been talks about me handling the pressure, but the truth is that when I step on the court, I do it to have fun. If I do not have fun, it's no good," Doncic said after the final whistle with the MVP trophy in his hands.

The Phoenix Suns owner Robert Sarver and Vice President of Basketball Operations James Jones flew to Belgrade to watch Doncic. They had No. 1 overall pick.

On the other side, the 2nd pick holder Vlade Divac, the general manager of the Sacramento Kings, made headlines going to his son's graduation in California instead of watching Luka's final EuroLeague game.

One way or another, both teams ended up drafting bigs (Suns drafted Deandre Ayton, Kings took Marvin Begley). Doncic was selected with the 3rd pick by the Atlanta Hawks and traded to the Dallas Mavericks.

Luka Doncic

Luka  DoncicLuka  DoncicMIN:35.49PTS:28.83 (53.36%)REB:9.24As:8.45ST:1.25BL:0.53TO:4.41GM:75ProfileNBA2021/2022

Although many NBA pundits and analysts doubted Doncic's potential to shine in the best league in the world, he was already schooling the EuroLeague stars.

Just look at his impressive highlights of the season, where he made the All-EuroLeague team as the first teenager ever.

Doncic's contribution to Real's title run was undeniable in an injury-plagued season for Madrid.

First of all, he took the reins of the Royal club from the last season's MVP Sergio Llull, who sat out eight months due to a knee injury.

Secondly, Doncic was fourth in scoring (16.1 PPG) and led the league in performance index rating (21.69 PIR). He was the first-ever player younger than 25 to lead the EuroLeague in average PIR.

Also, he became just the fourth EuroLeague player ever to post PIRs of 35 and higher in at least five games.

During his MVP season, the Slovenian wonder boy also became the youngest-ever MVP of the month in October. Furthermore, that year he won the second straight Rising Star Trophy.

Doncic's spectacle in Belgrade was one of the brightest memories of the 2018 Final Four. Four years later, Stark Arena is set to host the stars of the 2021-22 season.

Let's wait and see what remarkable stories this Final Four will put in history books.

How EuroLeague prepared Luka Doncic for the NBA:

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