Inside Luka Dončić’s Training in Slovenia Ahead of Mavericks Camp: Is He Primed to Win MVP?

In preparation for the 2024-25 season, Luka Dončić has rigorously trained in his homeland of Slovenia. Coming off an NBA Finals run that ended in defeat by the Boston Celtics, Dončić is motivated to win his first championship.

Dončić had a rare break following Slovenia’s elimination by Greece in the pre-Olympic qualifying tournament. The opportunity to recharge was welcomed, considering Dončić played through various injuries during the Mavericks’ Finals run and had only 15 days after Game 5 before playing his first game with Slovenia.

Luka Dončić Has Leveraged High-Level Workouts with KK Ilirija

Despite missing out on an Olympic berth, Dončić has remained focused on the upcoming NBA season after participating in a historic Jordan Brand tour in China. According to Slovenian sports newspaper Ekipa, his offseason training has featured high-level workouts with KK Ilirija at Tivoli Hall in Ljubljana and has remained in sharp form ahead of another NBA season.

While in Ljubljana, Dončić was named Slovenia’s sports personality of the year for the sixth consecutive time, an accolade awarded by Ekipa. The decision isn’t solely based on athletic performance but also considers the athlete’s influence, charisma, global reach, and popularity. Dončić continues to solidify himself as the country’s most famous athlete of all time.

Last season, Dončić earned his fifth consecutive All-NBA First-Team selection after averaging 33.9 points, 9.8 assists, and 9.2 rebounds per game, finishing third in MVP voting. During the Mavericks’ run to the Finals, he showcased his brilliance, posting 28.9 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 8.1 assists across 22 postseason games, which led the team to its first Finals appearance since 2011.

As Dončić prepares for the upcoming season, he is also a top preseason candidate for the NBA’s most prestigious individual honor. According to DraftKings Sportsbook, Dončić has +370 odds to win the MVP award, trailing only Nikola Jokić. Many believe Dončić could very well capture his first MVP trophy this season.

The Mavericks hold Media Day on Sept. 30 before departing for Las Vegas to host training camp at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) from Oct. 1-4. Dallas will host the Memphis Grizzlies to open its four-game preseason schedule on Oct. 7.