The day Doncic made history at the Eurobasket: this is the milestone that makes him a legend of the tournament

For five years, it seemed Slovenia, led by Luka Dončić and Goran Dragić, could conquer the basketball world. Dončić, recognizing Dragić as his mentor, committed to his native Slovenia, debuting in 2017 at just 18 years old. This marked the beginning of slovenia’s “Green Revolution,” a period defined by their creative and daring style of play, culminating in a eurobasket gold medal.

Dragić led the charge, averaging 22.6 points and 5.1 assists per game, while Dončić, still a “golden child,” contributed 14.3 points and 3.6 assists. Alongside Anthony Randolph, Klemen Prepelič, and others, they formed a formidable squad.

Four years later, after missing the 2019 World Cup and with the Olympics delayed by the pandemic, Slovenia stormed into Tokyo. In their opening match against Argentina, Dončić, already an established NBA All-Star, exploded for 48 points, 11 rebounds, and 5 assists, showcasing his dominance.Victories followed against Japan, Spain, and Germany, propelling Slovenia into medal contention. Dončić entered the Olympic medal round with a staggering 17 consecutive wins in national team play.

Though, in a heartbreaking semifinal clash, France edged out Slovenia 90-89 in a game decided at the buzzer. Despite Dončić’s astonishing triple-double (16 points,10 rebounds,18 assists),Slovenia’s Olympic dream was shattered. They then suffered a tough loss to Australia in the bronze medal game, signaling a potential end to their magical run.

The 2022 EuroBasket presented an opportunity for Slovenia to defend their title. The tournament featured a clash of titans,with Dončić,Nikola Jokić,and Giannis Antetokounmpo all vying for supremacy. Surprisingly, none of them reached the semifinals. Dončić and slovenia suffered a shocking quarterfinal defeat against Poland, ending their five-year reign and revealing a tired and battered Dončić, a stark contrast to the vibrant team of 2017.

Slovenia initially impressed, finishing first in the “group of death” alongside germany, France, Lithuania, Bosnia, and Hungary. They won four of their five games,demonstrating their potential. Dončić was central to their success, leading them to victories over Germany and France with remarkable performances. He posted 36 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 assists against Germany, followed by an astounding 47 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists against France.

That 47-point performance against France set a EuroBasket record for the 21st century, surpassing Dirk Nowitzki’s 43 points in 2001, and ranking second all-time behind Eddy Terrace’s 63 points in 1957.

Dončić’s incredible shooting display (18/23 from the field, 6/11 from three) was overshadowed by his heavy workload. He played 39 minutes against france, following similar stints against Germany, Lithuania, and Bosnia. A brief respite against Hungary wasn’t enough, and he appeared fatigued in the Round of 16, playing over 36 minutes and scoring 35 points. An ankle injury sustained in practice further compounded his struggles.

In the quarterfinal against Poland, Slovenia was overwhelmed early, falling behind significantly. Despite a valiant comeback, Dončić, visibly hampered, fouled out, sealing Slovenia’s fate. The tournament ended in disappointment,a far cry from the dazzling performances that had become their trademark. The highlight remained Dončić’s historic 47-point explosion against France on September 6th at the Köln Arena.