Photo: Peter Baba

Luka Doncic’s meteoric rise in the NBA is undeniable. The 24-year-old Slovenian sensation has consistently dazzled fans and analysts alike with his remarkable skills and basketball IQ.

During the 2022-23 season, Doncic made a strong case for himself by finishing as the league’s second-leading scorer, averaging an impressive 32.4 points per game.

Clippers’ star, Paul George, recently shared his thoughts on Doncic’s status in the league, making it clear that the young phenom should no longer be considered as “next up” but as a bona fide superstar.

“Not next up. Luka is now. Like, Luka is for real now,” George emphatically declared on his podcast. “He’s passed that ‘next up’ after his first season. Like, you knew Luka’s gonna be that guy. And he’s that guy now.”

George went on to extol Doncic’s multifaceted talents, acknowledging his size, scoring ability, playmaking prowess, high basketball IQ, and exceptional vision.

He believes that Doncic is not just another great international player; he has the potential to surpass even the greatest names in international basketball.

“We’re talking about being the biggest international player now,” George asserted. “That’s surpassing GOATs. That’s surpassing Dirk [Nowitzki], that’s surpassing Tony Parker, that’s surpassing Hakeem [Olajuwon]. He’s got a chance to be the biggest international guy, surpassing Giannis [Antetokounmpo] in a way.

“I mean, he’s got a chance to be one of the best to ever do it. His game is just way older than what he is. He’s tough, man. He’s a problem. Big fan of Luka.”

In addition to Doncic’s on-court brilliance, George shared a glimpse of the young star’s competitive edge. Doncic is not just a silent performer; he enjoys engaging in some trash talk on the court.

“And he talk that sh*t too… Yes. All of it. Big sh*t. He a cold killer with some of the sh*t that I’ve heard him say,” George revealed.