The 2023 FIBA World Cup currently has a tight hold on the basketball world’s attention. Players have been in preparation for this event for several months to ensure they are in their best shape to bring glory to their nation. However, Team Slovenia’s superstar, Luka Doncic may just have outworked them all.

Luka Doncic is a superstar in every right. With 4 All-NBA selections in 5 seasons, it is difficult to predict how the Dallas Mavericks guard can take his game to the higher level. However, this offseason, the 24-year-old player had a stunning answer for this. He elevated his conditioning, prompting a spectacular transformation for the FIBA World Cup. Ahead of his first matchup in the tournament, here’s what you need to know about his incredible transformation.

How did Luka Doncic prepare for the FIBA World Cup 2023?

Luka Doncic has been putting in the work throughout the offseason, losing tremendous weight ahead of the big event. The Slovenian was estimated to weigh 260 pounds going into the 2022-23 NBA season. However, through the course of the season, Doncic brought it down to 240 lbs. Now, the young phenom has further shed weight, seeming in the best shape of his professional career ahead of the World Cup.

After missing the NBA playoffs for the first time since his rookie season, the Mavericks guard knew he had to make some changes. With the help of his fitness trainer Anze Macek, Doncic has taken his offseason conditioning to a different level. He faced criticism throughout his NBA career regarding his weight not matching the NBA standard of 230 lbs for his height. However, 6’7 guard’s offseason work has elevated his fitness level, also helping him add some dimensions to his game fans had not seen in a while.

In his FIBA World Cup exhibition game appearances so far, Doncic has looked faster than ever. He has added speed as well as agility to his game, only making his skillset more lethal. Furthermore, his shot-making and footwork only seem to be getting better every year.

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Although he may carry this growth into the NBA this season, his priority would be to deliver for his nation in the World Cup this year. After all, his passion for international basketball and his country served as a major motivation for this transformation. Given his zeal to serve his nation, how good has Luka Doncic been so far in international events?

How has Doncic performed in FIBA tournaments?

Considering Luka Doncic’s current physical state, one can easily predict a historic run on the international stage this year. However, the Slovenian guard has time and again, showed out for his country, even before his transformation. His international numbers are simply breathtaking, given his young age.

Doncic has been making international appearances for Team Slovenia since 2017. At a mere age of 18, Doncic put up an impressive 14.3 PPG and 8.1 RPG in the 2017 FIBA Eurobasket. Since then, the Slovenian superstar has not looked back. He has a career average of 21.3 PPG, 8.3 RPG and 8.2 APG in FIBA tournaments. He also repeated his FIBA Eurobasket heroics in 2022, averaging a whopping 26 PPG, 7.7 RPG and 6.6 APG.

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Now, he is all set to take the 2023 FIBA World Cup by storm after getting into the best shape of his professional career. Doncic and Team Slovenia will begin their quest for the gold medal today against Team Venezuela in their first matchup of the tournament.