'My whole body looks better' – Luka Doncic finally breaks silence on how he achieved his new jacked physique
Luka Doncic has heard all the chatter — the criticisms, the doubts, the memes. Now, the five-time NBA All-Star is answering back not with words, but with muscle. After years of enduring digs about his fitness, Doncic has undergone a dramatic physical transformation that has fans, teammates, and even critics taking notice.
'Just visually, I would say my whole body looks better,' he says. And he means it — inside and out.
Luka Doncic opens up about his shredded physique
It all started after what many called the most difficult year of Luka Doncic's career. A calf injury, a trade to the Lakers, and a rough playoff exit lit a fire under him. One day after the Lakers' first-round elimination, Doncic texted his manager to begin his offseason grind. 'This summer was just a little bit different, you know.
It kind of motivated me to be even better,' he explained.
— LegionHoops (@LegionHoops)
A meticulous transformation followed. In a quiet town in Croatia, Doncic set up a private training facility. He flew in weights, worked through grueling two-a-days, and paired resistance band drills with Romanian deadlifts. As for his nutrition, it was a strict gluten-free, low-sugar plan with 250 grams of protein daily. That included two high-protein meals and one almond milk protein shake — all timed around his fasted workouts.
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His goal was not to be the leanest man in the room — but the strongest, the most efficient, the most explosive. 'If I stop now,' Doncic said, 'it was all for nothing.'
Team Luka
and the Pursuit of Longevity
Doncic didn't do it alone. Behind the scenes, 'Team Luka' — a group of specialists including trainer Anže Maček, physio Javier Barrio, and nutritionist Lucia Almendros — crafted a program that elevated not just his looks, but his biomechanics. They emphasized eccentric force, deceleration, and body control.
'Not everything is jumping high,' Doncic pointed out. 'I think I'm very athletic in other stuff. Balancing, controlling my body, what I do when I stop, slowing down.'
He even took a full month off basketball to let his body reset, picking up pickleball and padel instead. When he finally returned to the court, it wasn't long before he noticed the change, in the mirror and on the hardwood.
Now 26, Doncic is setting the tone for the next phase of his career.
'This year, with my team, I think we did a huge step. But this is just the start, you know. I need to keep going. Can't stop.'
Now, it is clear that he's coming for a legacy in the NBA.
Also Read:
Is Joel Embiid's time with the Philadelphia 76ers running out? Analyst sounds alarm over recurring injuries
FAQs
What changes did Luka Doncic make to his fitness routine this summer?
He followed a high-protein, gluten-free diet and worked through intense two-a-day workouts focused on strength, agility, and eccentric movement.
Who helped Luka Doncic with his transformation?
His transformation was guided by Team Luka — a trio of experts in training, physiotherapy, and nutrition.
Will Luka Doncic play this summer?
Yes, he's set to represent Slovenia in EuroBasket qualifying matches in August.
Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
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