Luka Doncic has kept the number 77 since joining the Los Angeles Lakers, which leaves fans wondering why he wears it. The main reason is his admiration for Greek basketball legend Vassilis Spanoulis.
Ever wondered why Luka Doncic wears number 77? Or why he continues wearing this number even after being traded from the Dallas Mavericks to the Los Angeles Lakers?
Here is the meaning behind Luka Doncic's 77 number.
The Roots of No. 77
Luka Doncic wore No. 7 at the beginning of his professional career with the EuroLeague team Real Madrid.
You might think he wore this number because it's lucky or simply his favorite, but he donned it to pay tribute to Greek basketball legend Vassilis Spanoulis.
Luka has mentioned his respect for Spanoulis numerous times, calling him his idol.
"Spanoulis was my idol since I was little. I was watching him. It was kind of sad seeing him retire. That's why I wear number 7," Doncic said in 2021. "I mean, I couldn't wear number 7 because it was already taken, so I took 77. He was really, really big time for me."
77's First Success
The first time Luka Doncic had to switch his favorite number 7 wasn't in the NBA, though.
He and Slovenian guard Klemen Prepelic both preferred number 7 going into the FIBA EuroBasket 2017. Luka, out of respect for his older teammate, decided to let him keep number 7 and instead went with 77.
The tournament ended up with a dream scenario for Slovenia. They won the European championship for the first time in the country's history.
For Luka personally, it was one of the first times people truly recognized his talent.
Doncic played phenomenally throughout the tournament, hitting some incredible shots and earning a spot on the All-Tournament Team as an 18-year-old alongside his teammate and EuroBasket MVP, Goran Dragić.
That could have been another reason to continue playing with 77 after averaging 14.3 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game.
No. 77 Enters the NBA
When Luka Doncic came to the NBA after being acquired by the Dallas Mavericks in a draft-night trade in 2018, he once again inquired about the possibility of getting a No. 7 jersey.
However, Canadian center Dwight Powell already had the number, which led to Luka choosing the number he wore at the FIBA EuroBasket 2017.
Doncic has built an impressive career while wearing No. 77 in the NBA and is already considered one of the best European basketball players ever.
From his rookie season, he showcased his "Luka Magic," earning NBA Rookie of the Year honors in 2019, becoming a five-time All-Star, making the All-NBA First Team five years in a row with the Mavs, and exploding for 73 points in his highest-scoring game to date. He also led the team to the NBA Finals in 2024, marking their first appearance since 2011.
With the Los Angeles Lakers, he's determined to silence conditioning concerns and immortalize his No. 77 alongside basketball legends.
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