Luka Doncic has returned to Slovenia to begin preparations for EuroBasket 2025, just weeks after securing a massive three-year, $165 million contract extension with the Los Angeles Lakers.
[ALSO READ: Lakers sign Luka Doncic to maximum extension]
The 26-year-old arrived at the team’s training camp in high spirits, showing off a noticeably leaner physique that has turned heads across the basketball community.
Doncic was all smiles as he joined his teammates for a warm-up ahead of their first exhibition game against reigning world champions Germany on Friday, August 8.
And he’s baaaack! ??🇸🇮#mojtim | @luka7doncic
— Košarkarska zveza SIovenije (@kzs_si) August 5, 2025
This marks the start of a busy few weeks for Slovenia, who will play five more pre-tournament matches before kicking off their EuroBasket campaign against Poland on August 28.
Drawn into Group D, Slovenia will also face France, Belgium, Iceland, and Israel in their quest to win the tournament for the first time since 2017.
[ALSO READ: Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic, Giannis Antetokounmpo headline EuroBasket 2025 initial roster]
It has been a transformative offseason for Doncic, who dedicated time after the Lakers’ early playoff exit to focus on his diet and conditioning. The results were immediately evident, as his physical transformation even earned him a feature on the cover of Men’s Health.
[ALSO READ: LA Lakers’ Luka Doncic flaunts new-look physique in latest magazine cover]
In February, the Lakers stunned the basketball world by acquiring Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for the championship-caliber big man Anthony Davis.
The five-time All-NBA selection and five-time All-Star immediately made an impact, averaging 28.2 points, 8.2 assists, and 7.7 rebounds per game while helping the Lakers secure 50 wins and the third seed in the Western Conference.
Despite a first-round playoff exit at the hands of Minnesota, Doncic expressed immense satisfaction with his first season in Los Angeles, which led him to commit to the Lakers for the remainder of his 20s—and almost certainly beyond.
The offseason also saw the Lakers make significant roster moves to surround their Slovenian star and co-superstar LeBron James with more talent, bringing in former Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart and former top overall pick DeAndre Ayton.
[ALSO READ: LA Lakers make it official with signing of former DPOY winner Marcus Smart]
