By Antonis Stroggylakis/ info@eurohoops.net
The answer to the question “which is the best 17-year-old in Europe?” is quite possibly indisputable but to those who still have doubts about it, Luka Doncic once again presented a strong case on why he is the top baller in his age throughout the continent.
While he has already displayed a remarkable maturity in his game at nearly all the opportunities he has received by coach Pablo Laso, the Slovenian youngster took it to another level tonight. How?
By being the best performer (with a number of 24 index rating, the highest among his teammates) of Real Madrid during the game vs Baskonia, registering a Euroleague career high in scoring after dropping 15 points (on a more than solid 4/5 from the field, plus 5/5 from the line). His previous career best in Euroleague were the 12 points he had scored during last season’s 95 – 81 defeat on the road by CSKA Moscow.
His evaluation number was also a new personal record in the competition, surpassing the “15” he recorded twice in the previous season (in the above match against CSKA and in Game 2 100 – 78 loss of the playoffs vs Fenerbahce).
The Madridistas were ultimately downed 87 – 91 at home, by Baskona but Doncic made the most out of each of the 25 minutes he stayed on court, also dishing 4 assists, grabbing 3 rebounds plus throwing one block. He turned over the ball only once.
All these are nothing short of “amazing” since we are talking about a 17-year-old being one of his team’s protagonists in such an important match, while being surrounded by established superstars such as Sergio Llull or Rudy Fernandez, among others. At the same time…. it’s not really surprising, considering the enormous amounts of talent Doncic carries in his blood.
A potential which if it is fully tapped, it will most likely grant him a big career not in Europe, but in the NBA.